At Georgia State you will take traditional method classes but will also learn to improvise, use electric instruments, compose and much more. You will learn to be the best possible ensemble/choral director in addition to being able to design novel student-centered instruction. Most important, you will learn to channel your passion for music through effective instruction.
Bachelor of Music
Music Education prepares you to teach music in schools or other group settings from early childhood through adulthood. After graduation, you qualify for a Georgia teaching certificate in K-12 music. In addition to performance, you will study child development and learning, as well as methods of teaching music. Applicants should have a strong background in music performance and music reading and should have a particular interest in sharing their love of music with others. An audition is required for admission.
Teacher Preparation Program Effectiveness
All initial teacher preparation program candidates must pass a state-mandated teacher performance assessment, the GACE Content Assessments in Music, at the end of their programs in order to become certified in Georgia. The teacher performance assessment is designed to measure a candidate’s ability to help all students learn. Teacher candidates are required to demonstrate knowledge and skills in planning, teaching, assessing, and analyzing student learning.
- 100% Job Placement Rate
- 100% EdTPA Pass Rate
- Exemplary Program as rated by GAPSC
- CMS Music in Education Award-Winning Sound Learning Outreach Program
- Research-Driven Instruction by Faculty at the Forefront of Music Education Research
- The concentration achieved the highest rating of Exemplary from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission. The 2020 rating was based on three years of assessment data gathered from students, faculty, and alumni.
Master of Music
This concentration emphasizes the development of advanced, research-based knowledge and skills in music teaching and learning. The focus is on school music programs; however, students may pursue courses in effective teaching at all age levels, including early childhood through adulthood. Graduate students in music education will be given the opportunity to conduct research and to learn to apply their findings in the classroom. The music education faculty is continuously involved in research related to adolescent voices, educational policy, cognition behind improvisation and more. They use qualitative, quantitative and brain imaging methods to explore important questions with the final goal of understanding and improving music learning and teaching.
Successful applicants for the music education concentration generally have experience as excellent general, choral or instrumental music teachers in schools. The Master of Music is not appropriate for candidates seeking initial teaching certification. Applicants should either hold or be eligible for an initial teaching certificate or license. Interview recommended.
TEDx talk with Professor Patrick Freer
Title: “From Bowling Alone to Singing Together:
Toward Social Connectedness for Adolescent Boys”
– Bill Gates
Music Education Faculty
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School of Music
Office Hours:
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8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
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Public Relations Coordinator
School of Music Undergraduate Admissions
School of Music Graduate Admissions
Office / Delivery Address
75 Poplar St
5th floor
Atlanta, GA 30303
USPS Mailing Address
P.O. Box 3993
Atlanta, GA 30302-3993