Music Education

Mission Statement: The Division of Music Education is dedicated to empowering
students through learning opportunities that are contextual and relevant to a
career in teaching. To become an effective music educator, each student
must commit to excellence in both teaching and musicianship.

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Doctoral Program
Coordinator: Dr. Donna Emmanuel
(940) 369-7973 or donna.emmanuel@unt.edu

The graduate program of the Federation of North Texas Area Universities was expanded in 1971 to include the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education. The degree is conferred only by the University of North Texas. Texas Woman's University and East Texas State University may participate by offering appropriate staff, courses, equipment, and libraries. The program is designed to qualify holders of the degree for college teaching and research positions.

Basic Requirements:

Time Limitation and Residence:

All work to be credited toward the doctoral degree must be completed within a period of 10 years from the date doctoral credit is first earned. A minimum residence of one full academic year above the master's degree at one of the participating institutions is required. A graduate student is officially in residence when carrying at least nine hours of course work in each of two consecutive long semesters. The summer can be counted as a summer of residency if the hours taken either spring/summer or summer/fall total 18. Due to course prerequisites and other confounding issues, determining the most appropriate timeframe for the year of residency should be determined in consultation with the Coordinator of the Ph.D. Program in Music Education. In most instances, it is not advisable to have the residency year begin during a student’s first semester of course work. Students who acquire residency toward another doctorate in the College of Music at UNT may, with the approval of the Music Education Faculty, receive favorable consideration for residency in the Music Education degree program. Each case will be handled individually and upon request. Residence acquired at another university is not acceptable and is not transferable. During their residence, all doctoral students are strongly urged to attend the Doctoral Seminar in Music Education (MUED 6480) above and beyond the required 2 semester credit hours (offered in long semesters only).

Teaching Experience:

A record of three years of full-time, successful teaching experience in group instructional settings is essential before the doctoral degree can be conferred. It is highly recommended that this experience be gained at the public school level of instruction. Private studio teaching alone may not suffice as a substitution for group instructional activities. The appropriateness of a doctoral candidate’s teaching experiences will be evaluated by the Music Education Graduate Faculty.

Fulfillment of Deficiencies in Doctoral Course Work:

When applying for admission to the program through the Robert B. Toulouse School of Graduate Studies, deficiencies in required course work and teaching experience may be identified. Regarding course work, one prerequisite to doctoral study is (b) an introductory graduate course on the nature of graduate study in music education (at UNT: MUED 5280, Admission Seminar). If the student has not taken this or a comparable course at an institution offering the same degree the student is pursuing, the course will be declared a deficiency. The second prerequisites to doctoral study is (a) an introductory graduate course on research in music education (at UNT: MUED 5120, Applied Research in Music Education). This course will be considered an automatic deficiency even if a comparable course has been taken, unless a student wishes to demonstrate his/her competence in the subject matter through examination. The Research Proficiency Examination can be taken during the week before courses start. Interested individuals should contact the Coordinator of the Ph.D. Program in Music Education. Deficiency courses do not count toward the total of 60 hours necessary to finish the course work.

Demonstration of Professional Activity:

Either prior to taking the Qualifying Examinations or shortly thereafter, the student must demonstrate specific teaching, scholarly, and/or performance skills within a chosen area of specialization. This demonstration may consist of a planned workshop/clinic on a given subject, one or more articles in refereed journals, books, a lecture/recital of at least 30 minutes in length, or the rehearsal of an advanced ensemble. A committee, appointed by the Coordinator of the Ph.D. Program in Music Education and headed by the major advisor, will evaluate the demonstration.

Acceptance Procedure:

Permission to enroll in course work

  1. Prior to enrollment:

    1. Apply for admission to the University through the Robert B. Toulouse School of Graduate Studies
    2. Take the verbal and written analytical portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

  2. After arriving on campus for the first semester's work:

    1. Take the Graduate Placement Examinations given by the College of Music. These examinations cover music theory and music history.
    2. Attend all orientation sessions scheduled by the Director of Graduate Studies in Music.
    3. Be advised by the coordinator of doctoral studies. That person will continue to serve as temporary advisor until the student has selected a major advisor and doctoral committee.
    4. Enroll in at least four hours of courses in Music Education.