Music Education (Professional Certification), M.Mus.

Admissions Deadline: January 15 (for summer semester start). Applications are considered on a rolling basis outside of this deadline.

Join us for an info session October 13 or November 18!

Admissions Requirements

  • 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. Your cumulative undergraduate GPA must be at least 3.0.
  • Candidates also must hold a NYS initial certification in Music (All Grades) and have fulfilled all liberal arts requirements expected of initial certification. Review our teacher education pre-requisites to see if you meet requirements. If you do not yet have initial teaching certification, explore our M.Mus. in Music Education, Preparation.
  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate study.
  • A personal essay (500 words) describing your beliefs about student learning, commitment to educational access for all, enthusiasm for learning, willingness to foster collaboration, and ethics.
  • 3 letters of recommendation, at least one from a faculty member.
  • A résumé or CV.
  • Audition not required.
  • GRE not required.

International students: Because of New York State teacher certification requirements, students who are not from the United States and/or did not receive their undergraduate degree in the US are not eligible for this program.

Financial Support

Program Contacts

Breana Nieves Vergara, Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment
bknieves@syr.edu|315.443.2505
Breana Nieves Vergara headshot
Wendy Moy, Associate Professor
wmoy01@syr.edu|315.443.6233
Wendy Moy