Music Education (M.A.) - Music Studies
Important: This degree plan is effective for those starting this degree program in fall 2026 through summer 2027. This degree plan will remain in effect for students who do not break enrollment or who do not change degree programs, concentrations, or cognates.
This program is a non-licensure program. Refer to www.liberty.edu/advisingguide
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | ||
| Music Education Courses | ||
| MUSC 510 | Foundations of Music Education | 3 |
| MUSC 531 | Bibliography and Research in Music Education | 3 |
| MUSC 640 | History and Philosophy of Music Education | 3 |
| MUSC 670 | Principles of Curricula and Pedagogy for Music Education | 3 |
| Supportive Studies in Music Courses | ||
| MUSC 524 | Analytical Techniques 1 | 3 |
| MUSC 620 | Music in America | 3 |
| Research Studies Courses | ||
| MUSC 689 | Capstone in Music Education 2 | 3 |
| MUSC 692 | Graduate Music Comprehensive Exam | 0 |
| MUSC 687 | Capstone Defense: Curriculum Project 3 | 0 |
| or MUSC 690 | Capstone Defense: Thesis | |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
- 1
Students must successfully complete the Graduate Music Theory Assessment or enroll in and successfully complete MUSC 522 as a prerequisite to MUSC 524.
- 2
Any student who needs to enroll in MUSC 689 more than three times needs the approval of School of Music administration.
- 3
Any student who will not be able to complete and defend his/her capstone in the course of a single semester may be required to repeat MUSC 689 each semester until deemed ready for enrollment in MUSC 687 or MUSC 690.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Music Studies Concentration | ||
| ETHM 511 | Introduction to Ethnomusicology | 3 |
| MUSC 515 | Graduate Conducting | 3 |
| MUSC 525 | Advanced Contemporary Arranging Techniques | 3 |
| or MUSC 550 | Applied Music | |
| MUSC 630 | Principles of Music Technology | 3 |
| WRSP 510 | Biblical Foundations of Worship | 3 |
| Elective in Music Education 1 | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- 1
Choose 3 credits from any MUSC 500-699 course.
All applicable prerequisites must be met
Graduation Requirements
- Complete 39 hours
- A maximum of 50% of the program hours may be transferred if approved and allowable, including credit from an earned degree from Liberty University on the same academic level
- 3.0 GPA
- No more than two grades of C may be applied to the degree (includes grades of C+ & C-)
- No grade of D or below may be applied to the degree (includes grades of D+ & D-)
- Degree must be completed within 5 years
- Submission of Degree Completion Application must be completed within the last semester of a student’s anticipated graduation date
Program Offered in Resident & Online Format
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | |
| MUSC 510 | Foundations of Music Education | 3 |
| MUSC 620 | Music in America | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| MUSC 510 or MUSC 550 | Foundations of Music Education or Applied Music | 3 |
| MUSC 531 | Bibliography and Research in Music Education | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| MUSC 515 | Graduate Conducting | 3 |
| MUSC 524 | Analytical Techniques | 3 |
| MUSC 630 | Principles of Music Technology | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fourth Semester | ||
| MUSC 670 | Principles of Curricula and Pedagogy for Music Education | 3 |
| Music Education Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fifth Semester | ||
| ETHM 511 | Introduction to Ethnomusicology | 3 |
| MUSC 640 | History and Philosophy of Music Education | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Sixth Semester | ||
| MUSC 689 | Capstone in Music Education | 3 |
| MUSC 692 | Graduate Music Comprehensive Exam | 0 |
| WRSP 510 | Biblical Foundations of Worship | 3 |
| MUSC 687 or MUSC 690 | Capstone Defense: Curriculum Project 2 or Capstone Defense: Thesis | 0 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 39 | |
All applicable prerequisites must be met