Applicant Prerequisites & Requirements
All students accepted into the M.M.E. program must have completed a bachelor’s degree in music from an institution accredited by NASM and must provide official transcripts as documentation. Students accepted into the program must either have a valid teaching license or provide documentation of passing scores on Praxis I (Core) and Praxis II (Music Content) examinations. Students must submit a writing sample, two letters of recommendation, and a government-issued picture identification card.
GPA Requirements
Entering students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 over the last 64 credit hours of coursework, which must be verified by submitted official transcripts. In the master’s program, students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0). This also applies to students with previous graduate study. A student whose GPA drops below 3.0 is placed on academic probation. Students may retake one, and only one, graduate course at William Carey University. Students may not improve their GPA by taking courses at other institutions. A student on academic probation must raise their GPA to 3.0 by the end of the following term enrolled or the student will be dismissed from the program.
Transfer Credit
A total of 6 semester hours of graduate study may be transferred from another institution and applied toward the Master of Music Education degree at William Carey University. Transfer credits apply only if they are a part of the overall degree plan. No graduate work carrying a grade of less than “B” will be accepted for credit. All transfer credits must meet the six-year limit on the completion of the degree. Independent study credit earned at another institution will not be accepted.
Comprehensive Examination
Each candidate for graduation from the Master of Music Education program will undergo a comprehensive examination, both written and oral, that will fully evaluate a student’s skills in musicianship, teaching, performance, and evaluation. Questions will also address philosophical, historical, and curricular perspectives in music education.
Final Project Requirements
All students will complete a research project under the guidance of a graduate faculty member. The project will focus on a pedagogical topic chosen by the student, in collaboration with the graduate faculty member, to enhance personal teaching skills, investigate current trends in music education, or evaluate historical practices in music education.
Residency
Students will meet residency requirements by enrolling in a minimum of 6 credit hours for two consecutive terms.