The University of Kansas Division of Music Education & Music Therapy in partnership with the
KU Division of
Choral Music
Master's Degree Emphasis in Choral Pedagogy
...Where the Future is Now!...
OVERVIEW
The Master of Music Education in Choral Pedagogy emphasis is designed especially for practicing professionals and others who
wish to pursue graduate studies (1) on a schedule more convenient and flexible than traditional academic year semesters, and
(2) in a university environment that emphasizes scientific, data-based approaches to
real-world choral music-making contexts.
Special summer terms allow students to complete coursework in 3-week summer residencies, plus an optional 2.5 day mini-term.
Students may also pursue approved indepedent studies and distance education graduate courses during the regular school year. In addition,
up to 3 hours of graduate credit can be earned through participation in approved professional conferences and workshops, such as
KMEA/MENC and KCDA/ACDA. Students accepted into the program may transfer up to 6 hours of approved graduate courses from other
universities, in consultation with an adviser, if appropriate for the student's overall program and goals.
This degree emphasis combines scientific and artistic approaches to choral pedagogy, which makes it unique among university music education and choral programs.
Students have opportunity both to learn from and contribute to cutting-edge research in the field. Research-based knowledge enables
choral music professionals to hone their skills in such areas as rehearsing, conducting, and vocal pedagogy according to the best
available data on how human beings learn and grow both musically and vocally.
Another unique feature of the MME in Choral Pedagogy is the opportunity to work with nationally and internationally recognized choral
musicians, music educators, musicologists, voice teachers, voice scientists and otolaryngologists in the environment of a world-class research university. In addition to KU faculty,
visiting professors are invited each year to offer short courses and workshops in their particular areas of expertise. Dr. Sten Ternstrom, Professor of Choir Acoustics, The
Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm Sweden visited in Fall 2004. Dr. Judy Bowers, Florida State University,
was visiting professor for the Summer 2005 term. Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt, Ohio State University, President of the American Choral Directors Association,
was visiting professor for the Summer 2006 term. Prof. John Nix, University of Texas at San Antonio, presented a series of lectures and workshops in Fall 2007. Dr. Janice Killian, Texas Tech University served as visiting professor for the Summer 2007 term. Dr. Andre Thomas was in residency for the Summer 2009 term.
For the 2009 summer term, Dr. Alice-Ann Darrow, Florida State University, and Dr. Dwayne Dunn, Olathe East High School, were visiting professors.
The MME degree at the University of Kansas is an individualized graduate degree. There is only one required course.
Other coursework is chosen in consultation with an adviser to meet the needs of particular students and general course
distribution requirements.
The Choral Pedagogy Emphasis insures that students can complete the degree largely in three summers by providing coursework and
research opportunities that will be offered on a regular basis to satisfy degree and course distribution requirements.
Within this particular structure, students may begin the program in any summer.
Students, however, are not limited only to these courses and opportunities. Other graduate courses offered by the MEMT Division or
elsewhere in the University can be part of a student's program of studies subject to adviser approval.
The Choral Pedagogy Emphasis MME Degree is especially suited for
...practicing or aspiring choral music educators in public and private schools (K-12)
...choral conductors at all levels
...those who desire specific expertise in choral research
...aspirants to the Ph.D. (choral pedagogy or voice pedagogy) or D.M.A. (choral conducting) degrees
...earning course credits for re-certification or continuing professional
development
The MME thesis option requires 25-27 hours of coursework and 3-5 hours of master's thesis, for a total of 30 hours.
The MME non-thesis option requires 29 hours of coursework and 1 hour of comprehensive examination, for a
total of 30 hours.
Students who desire to take summer courses offered by the Voice Care Network and the National Center for Voice and Speech are encouraged to do
so. Students may receive KU graduate credit applicable to their graduate degree programs for such work. See Dr. Daugherty for details.
You may also pursue the choral pedagogy master's degree as a fulltime graduate student during the regular academic year. Qualified students enrolled fulltime may apply for
graduate teaching assistanships for contiguous fall and spring semesters. Other KU graduate degrees for persons interested
in choral/vocal pedagogy include: MMus in choral conducting, DMA in choral conducting, Ph.D. in choral pedagogy, Ph.D. in voice pedagogy. For Ph.D. studies in choral or vocal pedagogy,
a summer term contiguous with a fall semester or a spring semester may be used to satisfy fulltime residency requirements.
Should you have questions not addressed on this site about the Choral Pedagogy Track, email Dr. James F. Daugherty (jdaugher at ku.edu).
For further information about the MME and Ph.D. degrees email the KU Division of Music Education/Music Therapy, Dr. James F. Daugherty, Director of Graduate Studies (memt@ku.edu).
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