Music Education

Program Overview

This master’s program will prepare you to teach Music to students of diverse backgrounds, abilities, and interests in elementary, middle school or high school settings. The Music Education program is run jointly by the Music Department in the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education.

Coursework and Clinical Experiences

Courses are offered in the afternoon and evening. Some courses may be available in an online or hybrid format. Select courses have required hours of classroom experience (fieldwork) in a New York City public school. Students also participate in supervised teaching (student teaching and/or practicum) as the culmination of their course of study. Student teaching and/or practicum requires five full days per week for at least one semester.

Credits

For those who do not hold NYS certification in Music: 39 to 46 credits
For those who have initial NYS certification in Music: 30 credits

Certification

Music PreK to 12

Eligibility and Admission Requirements

For applicants who do not hold New York State (NYS) certification in Music

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0
A major in music or music education (with a minimum of 24 credits in music including: (1) three semesters of music history (including at least two of Western music history), (2) four semesters of music theory (including at least two of traditional college music theory), and (3) four semesters of musicianship (sight singing, ear training, and keyboard studies). These courses can be completed at Hunter (as part of a non-degree or second undergraduate degree program) or at another school prior to applying
A general education core in the liberal arts and sciences to include the following (in addition to music): General education core in the liberal arts and sciences including coursework in artistic expression, communication, information retrieval, concepts in history and social sciences, humanities, a world language other than English, scientific and mathematical processes, and written analysis and expression (Waived for Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 applicants)
Two letters of recommendation
A statement of purpose
An audition and interview
An official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score report (Waived for Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 applicants)

For applicants who hold New York State (NYS) initial certification in Music

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0
A major in music or music education (with a minimum of 24 credits in music including: (1) three semesters of music history (including at least two of Western music history), (2) four semesters of music theory (including at least two of traditional college music theory), and (3) four semesters of musicianship (sight singing, ear training, and keyboard studies). These courses can be completed at Hunter (as part of a non-degree or second undergraduate degree program) or at another school prior to applying
A general education core in the liberal arts and sciences to include coursework in artistic expression, communication, information retrieval, concepts in history and social sciences, humanities, a world language other than English, scientific and mathematical processes, and written analysis and expression (Waived for Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 applicants)
New York State (NYS) certification in Music, PreK to 12
A 3-credit course in special education that focuses on supporting students with disabilities in the general education classroom. Students without this course may be admitted conditionally and must take SPED 70800 in addition to other degree requirements
Two letters of recommendation
A statement of purpose
An audition and interview
An official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score report (Waived for Spring 2025 and Fall 2025 applicants)

To Apply

Applications are accepted each Fall and Spring semester.

To start your application, visit the Hunter College Online Application.

When applying to this program under Program of Study, select School of Education – Other Programs and Music (Grades PreK-12).

Application Deadlines

Fall Start

March 15 (Priority Deadline)
April 15 (Extended Deadline)

Spring Start

October 15 (Priority Deadline)
November 1 (Extended Deadline)

Visit How to Apply for information about deadline extensions.