Master of Music Education (M.M.Ed.)

The art of teaching, like the art of music, demands lifelong learning. Whether you are a seasoned music teacher or a musician who is looking to enter the teaching field, Rhode Island College has a master’s degree program to meet your needs. The Master of Music Education (M.M.Ed.) is designed for candidates who already hold a valid teacher certification, so most of the required courses can be taken in the summer or evenings. Normally, coursework can be completed in three years, attending part-time. Our programs are fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Individualized Approach

Each candidate's program is individually developed by the candidate and the graduate advisor, based on information derived from the candidate’s application, audition, department entrance audition, and personal interviews. After all the admissions steps have been completed, the candidate and the graduate advisor work together to develop a formal Plan of Study which, when approved and signed, becomes the candidate's degree curriculum.

Beginning Your Program

A graduate student may start taking courses in the program before the Plan of Study is formulated, especially if the application process has begun and if the courses are expected to be included in the Plan of Study. However, a maximum of nine credit hours taken before formal admission can be included in the candidate’s program. Depending on the agreed Plan of Study, a maximum of six credit hours of graduate course work may be accepted in transfer from other institutions.

Three "Tracks" from which to Choose

Every graduate degree program includes the requirement of an exit project. There are three different options from which to choose: thesis, recital, or conducting.

1. The traditional exit project is the completion of an original thesis, researching an issue of the candidate’s choice. The research proposal is developed and implemented by the candidate with guidance from his/her advisor. The thesis document is written by the candidate and reviewed by the graduate committee.
2. If a candidate wishes to substitute a Graduate Recital for a thesis, application for such a substitution is made to the Graduate Committee; it is granted only for candidates who demonstrate exceptional performance skills.
3. A recent addition to the curriculum is the program in Conducting. Candidates who pursue this avenue must qualify by virtue of their talent and skills, will study conducting as a performance track, and will perform appropriate conducting recital(s).

Admission Requirements

Students who have completed an M.A.T. in music education at Rhode Island College cannot apply as a candidate for the M.M.Ed. program.

• A completed application form accompanied by a fifty-dollar nonrefundable application fee.
• Teacher certification in music.
• A baccalaureate degree in music or at least 50 credit hours of music.
• Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate records.
• A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale in undergraduate course work.
• An official report of scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT).
• Scores on the entrance examinations in music education, theory, history, and literature.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Evidence of musicianship.
• A plan of study approved by the advisor and appropriate dean.
• An interview.

Course Requirements

Note: A thesis/graduate project or recital is required of each student. Thesis/graduate projects vary and topics must be approved by the departmental graduate committee. The recital is available only to students who clearly exhibit advanced musicianship and must be approved by the departmental graduate committee.