Deepen Your Practice. Advance Your Certification.

You already teach music, and you hold your initial certification. Now it is time to take your teaching practice, and your musicianship, further. The M.Mus. in Music Education (Professional Certification) is for candidates with existing New York State initial teacher certification in Music (All Grades) who are ready to deepen both their teaching and musical expertise, while completing the academic requirements for professional New York State certification in music, all in a community that offers collegiality, collaboration, and lasting mentorship.

Suggested Application Deadline: January 15 | More admissions information
Join us for an info session October 13 or November 18!
If you do not yet have initial teaching certification, explore our M.Mus. in Music Education, Preparation

Why Music Education at Syracuse?

Music Education Professional is a dual program from both the School of Education and the Setnor School of Music. You work closely with your advisor to choose a program of study and electives that match your personal and professional interests. Students typically complete this degree within one year, including some summer study.

• The best of two schools, in one degree. Students study applied music and performance with Setnor faculty and ensembles, then bring that musicianship into a School of Education curriculum built on inclusive and equitable teaching and classroom practice. Many candidates perform in or work alongside Syracuse University bands, choirs, and jazz ensembles while completing their degree.
• Clinical simulations that sharpen your skills before you step into a school. Syracuse is at the forefront of using standardized clinical simulations as a deliberate, integrated part of teacher preparation. These live, structured, exercises replicate real classroom and school interactions, helping you identify your strengths, work through challenging scenarios, and enter your field placements with genuine confidence.
• A genuinely inclusive approach to music teaching. This program prepares you to teach the full range of learners in today’s music classrooms, including students with disabilities, English language learners, and students from every socioeconomic and cultural background. Coursework in culturally responsive and inclusive teaching methods are built into the curriculum.
• Faculty who are active in the field. Faculty members are professional musicians, working in the genres of jazz, choral performance, and modern band, as well as educators and researchers who investigate how students learn and how equity and inclusion is addressed by music teachers.
• A professional community from day one. Weekly Music Educators Academy meetings, National Association for Music Education (NAfME) events, and mastrer classes connect you with Syracuse faculty and staff, area teachers, education professionals, and resident and visiting artists.
• Outcomes that speak for themselves. School of Education graduates achieve a 94% career outcome rate, with an average starting salary of $51,175. Many go on to leadership roles in their buildings, schools, and districts.

“The M.Mus. in Music Education allows students to truly receive the best education in both worlds. You will develop your own praxis and pedagogy as a master educator and hone your craft as a master musician.”

—Erin Althen ’03, G’04

Who Should Apply?

This degree is for music teachers who are ready to complete the requirements for professional certification and who want to develop their understanding and skills of inclusive and equitable teaching and of music and music education.

Candidates must hold an undergraduate degree in music or a related content area (or a non-music degree with 30 credit hours of music content) from an accredited National Association of Schools of Music institution; a NYS initial certification in Music (All Grades); and have fulfilled all liberal arts requirements expected of initial certification.

If you do not yet have initial teaching certification, explore our M.Mus. in Music Education, Preparation

Program at a Glance

The Master of Music in Music Education Professional is a 33-credit program that can be completed in one year, including some summer study. Students study alongside a small cohort of fellow music education candidates, with direct access to Setnor School of Music faculty, rehearsal spaces, and ensembles.

• Coursework that enhances your teaching: Courses in education and music include an introduction to research in music, the psychological and sociological aspects of music, current problems in music education, and advanced tonal analysis, plus one graduate music history course and one graduate education course.
• Make the degree your own: 6 credits of graduate music education courses and 9 credits of graduate music courses are selected with your advisor to match your personal and professional goals. Electives may include curriculum development in music education; advanced instrumental or choral rehearsal techniques; and methods, materials, and inclusive practices in general music.
• Show your mastery: Choose a culminating experience that ties what you have learned together: a master’s thesis, lecture recital, or comprehensive evaluation examination.

More information on academic requirements is available in the Syracuse University Course Catalog. SOE is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).

What Our Graduates Do

Graduates advance their teaching careers in public, private, and community music settings, including as:

• Certified instrumental, choral, and general music teachers in elementary, middle, and secondary schools
• Music teachers and program leaders in community music schools, after-school programs, and nonprofit arts organizations
• Performers, conductors, composers, or music industry professionals alongside their teaching careers
• Teacher leaders, department chairs, or administrators within their districts
• Scholars pursuing further study, including doctoral work in music education, educational leadership, or curriculum