Music Education (MAT)

Master of Arts in Teaching in Music Education
Unit: School of Music; College of Education and Human Development (GE)
Department: Elementary, Middle, and Secondary Education
Program Webpage 
Academic Plan Code(s): EDMUMAT

Program Information

The MAT in Music Education at the University of Louisville combines advanced coursework in music and education with hands-on teaching experiences in diverse school environments. Students will engage in a rigorous curriculum that fosters pedagogical expertise, musicianship, and leadership, preparing them to inspire the next generation of musicians. The degree requires two semesters of student teaching in elementary and secondary schools, enabling graduate students to earn their initial teaching certification for Kentucky, grades P-12. 

The Department of Teaching and Learning is committed to the highest standards of professional preparation. Our programs have sought and received national accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

Graduates of initial teacher certification programs at the University of Louisville begin their teaching careers secure in the knowledge that they have been prepared for the real world of classrooms through a rigorous teacher preparation program.

Application requirements:

Candidates considering an application to the MAT program should contact the MAT pre-admissions counselor (teacher@louisville.edu) prior to applying for admission. A transcript evaluation must be completed before a candidate can be considered for admission.

• Completed UofL graduate application submitted at https://apply.graduate.louisville.edu/apply/
• Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework.  To be considered official, transcripts must be sent by the issuing institution to the UofL Graduate School. Transcripts issued to the candidate, and/or uploaded by the candidate, are considered unofficial.
  • International transcripts must be evaluated per UofL Graduate School requirements: https://graduate.louisville.edu/admission/international/evaluation
• PRAXIS II exam. Candidates must register for the appropriate PRAXIS Integrated Music Content Knowledge exam and upload a copy of the registration ticket. Candidates should review the Kentucky certification test requirements at https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/kentucky-tests.html.
• Personal statement – Candidates should upload two essays in response to the prompts below. The essays should be included in one document. Each essay should be double-spaced (Times New Roman 12 point font) with no more than three pages per essay. 
  • Essay 1: In consideration of the characteristics of an effective teacher, the ability to collaborate, and to support student collaboration in the classroom, is essential. Please self-evaluate this important skill and indicate whether you consider this as a strength or weakness. If you consider it as a weakness, please explain how you might further develop this skill. Also, please explain how you might encourage collaboration in your future classroom.
  • Essay 2: In what ways have your life experiences shaped the way you learn, and how you interact with others with different life experiences? Additionally, explain how you would support the ideal of "respect for all learners" in your future classroom.
• Current resume
• Recommendations – Three (3) recommendations are required. Requests are automatically sent to the recommenders’ emails once the graduate application is submitted. Adequate time should be given for recommenders to respond to the request by the application deadline. Candidates may log into their admission portal to check the status of the recommendations.
  • Work with Children and/or Adolescents Recommendation - This recommendation should be completed by an individual who has observed the candidate’s work/engagement with children and/or adolescents. The recommender should address the candidate’s ability to relate to and work with children/adolescents, as well as his/her ability to organize, lead and direct activities. The faculty screening committee wants to see evidence that candidates have engaged with the age group he/she intends to teach, and that a professional (such as a teacher or school administrator, scout leader, community organization director, etc.) confirms the candidate’s potential for success in the teacher education program.
  • Professional/Community Recommendation - This recommendation should be completed by an individual who can address the candidate’s character and professional qualities (punctuality, communication, leadership, work ethic, etc.). Pastors, P-12 teachers, supervisors/employers, and community organization directors are a few examples of appropriate recommenders.
  • Faculty Recommendation - This recommendation should be completed by a faculty member at the college level. The faculty member should address the candidate’s academic skills and potential to succeed in a graduate program including: critical thinking, communication, creativity, and collaboration. College graduates who have been away from higher education more than five years may have difficulty obtaining a faculty recommendation. Candidates who will not be enrolling in prerequisite courses prior to the MAT program, may choose to submit a Professional/Community Recommendation instead. Two Professional/Community Recommendations would then be required. 
• Signed documents included in the application. You will be asked to review and sign the Statement of Understanding of Admissions Guidelines (https://louisville.widen.net/s/gwtrfxjllf/statement-of-understanding-of-admissions-guidelines) and the Professional Code of Ethics/Technology User Agreement (https://louisville.widen.net/s/vr6gdwqdtx/cehd-acceptable-use-of-technology-agreement).

International Applicants:

• International applicants must submit additional application items, and meet additional admission requirements.  Information on the international application and admission requirements can be found here: https://graduate.louisville.edu/admission/international

Admission Requirements:

• Complete application (including all checklist items above and payment submitted).
• Bachelor’s degree from a institutionally accredited institution. Candidates enrolled in the final semester of their bachelor’s degree can be reviewed for provisional admission - pending a final, degree transcript. 
• Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75. Candidates with a GPA lower than 2.75 should consult with the pre-admissions counselor to discuss state certification requirements and potential options.
• Prerequisite course requirements. Candidates are required to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Music with specific course requirements in Music Education. Candidates are encouraged to contact the Music Education program director with any questions. In addition to the required content prerequisites, the following courses are required: Written Communication and Oral Communication with a grade of “C” or higher.
• Interview with the admissions screening committee. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their qualifications for admission and should project a professional image. Candidates are encouraged to prepare for the interview by reflecting on the domains in the professional dispositions rubric (https://louisville.widen.net/s/9ldf6f9qx8/cehd-professional-disposition-rubric)

Admission is competitive. Meeting the GPA minimum and all other admission requirements does not guarantee that prospective students will be accepted into the program. 

Program admission dates: Fall semester only

(Priority) Application Deadline:  April 1

Program Requirements

Prerequisites

Completion of the pre-teacher education courses:

• EDTP 107/ECPY 507/ECPY 607 - Learning and Human Development
• EDTP 201/EDTP 502/EDTP 602 - Exploring Teaching P - 12, and
• EDTP 420/MUED 556 Special Methods in Secondary Teaching.

Appropriate bachelor's degree or specific music education content required. For specific admission requirements, contact the School of Music.

Professional Education Requirements

¹

Electronic documentation of 200 hours of diverse and approved field experiences required prior to student teaching.

Midpoint Assessment: Successful completion of all required courses prior to Student Teaching; 3.0 cumulative GPA with no grade lower than “C” in each course (C- does not count); all prerequisites met with 2.50 or higher; satisfactory performance on all Hallmark Assessment Tasks; Target performance on all rubrics. Electronic documentation of 200 hours of approved field experiences.

Degree Candidacy

If not enrolled during the semester in which you are graduating, you must register for degree candidacy as outlined in the graduate catalog (see General Policies, Procedures and Requirements). 

Praxis Disclaimer

"Teacher certification requirements are subject to change. Before registering for certification test(s), please refer to the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) website at epsb.ky.gov or ets.org/praxis/ky for current requirements."

The Master of Arts in Teaching in Music Education program prepares students to meet the requirements for certification and/or licensure.  If you plan to pursue professional licensure or certification you should first determine your state’s criteria for examination and licensure to see how/if our program meets those requirements prior to enrollment. We recommend that you also contact your state’s licensing board directly to verify that the requirements have not changed recently and to answer any questions especially those regarding additional requirements beyond the degree. 

More information about certification or licensure is available at the following website:  https://louisville.edu/about/departments/academic-planning-accountability/disclosures/professional-licensure.

For programs with an online option, more information about certification or licensure is available here: 
https://online.louisville.edu/resources/compliance/license.