Education Specialist Degree in Secondary Education
MUSIC EDUCATION OPTION
Graduate work in music education is an option through the
Department of Secondary Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning.
Ed.S. Admission Requirements
Admission to the Ed.S. degree program in Secondary Eduation
(Music Education Option) is contingent on meeting the
Graduate School's admission requirements. An applicant must
successfully complete a formal screening interview with the
music education faculty prior to an admission decision.
Students are also required to take diagnostic examinations
in music theory and music history prior to the completion
of 12 hours of graduate study. The specific examinations
required and the dates of their administration may be
obtained from the music education office. It is highly
recommended that applicants have a minimum of three years'
full-time contractual teaching experience prior to
beginning a post-master's degree program. Conditional
admission is granted in some instances.
Ed.S. Degree Requirements
A minimum of 33 hours of appropriate work beyond the M.A.
degree including completion of a research project is
required for the educational specialist (Ed.S.) degree. The
fulfillment of these requirements leads to the Class AA
certificate in music (N-12). The total hours of graduate
work, including the M.A. degree, must be at least 63 hours.
Students who are pursuing certification options must be
certain their programs of study meet all certification
requirements according to programs approved by the state
department of education. Courses used to qualify for a
lower-level supporting certificate may not be used again in
a higher-level certification program.
General Requirements
The content of all graduate programs in music education is
determined, in part, by the background and goals of the
individual student. Each program will include graduate
courses in music education (choral, instrumental, or
general) and professional education, and may include studio
courses and other graduate study as indicated by the
student's background and interests in consultation with his
or her adviser. It is recommended that each student contact
his or her advisor during the first term of graduate study
in order to plan the program.
General Testing
If you have not completed a Graduate Record Examination
(GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) in the last five years
you will need to take one. All tests require that
application be made to take the test in advance. Contact
the University Testing
Service(205-348-6760) or any four-year college or
university near you for further information. In all
cases it is wise to obtain a manual for the test
several weeks in advance from a college or university
bookstore and use it to guide your preparation.
Music Testing
Upon initial enrollment in the graduate Music Education
program, all students must take diagnostic tests of music
history and theory background. The tests will cover
stylistic periods normally studied in undergraduate music
history programs, harmonization of a chorale, form and
harmonic analysis, and a choice of a counterpoint or
transcription task. The test results will be used to advise
you on coursework that will allow you to compensate for
deficiencies, if any, in your educational background.
Testing is normally scheduled before classes begin for the
Fall, Spring and Summer terms. It takes a full day to
complete the tests. Register for the test in the School of
Music at least two weeks before the term in which you plan
to take it.
Transfer Credits
The greater of 9 hours or 25% of appropriate
post-master's-degree credit, earned through a regionally
accredited institution approved to offer graduate programs
beyond the master's level in the field of study where the
credits were earned, may be transferred to apply toward an
Ed.S. degree.
Previous and appropriate post-master's-degree credit earned
at The University of Alabama before a student applies for
admission to the Ed.S. program can be applied toward the
Ed.S. degree, provided it meets the program requirements of
the particular department and the time limitation stated
below.
A student in his or her last semester of work toward the
master's degree who does not need a full load to complete
the course requirements of his or her master's program may
register for work toward the Ed.S. degree, in the amount
needed to complete full registration loads.
In some cases, foreign educational credentials may not meet
the Graduate School's criteria for transfer of credit. It
may be necessary for students in this situation to secure
an evaluation of their credentials from World Education
Services Inc., an external foreign credential evaluation
service. Additional information on their services can be
found at their Web site http://www.wes.org.
Personal Interview
Before applying for admission to EdS study, we recommend
that you schedule an interview with the Music Education
faculty. Call (205) 348-6554 or email cdaniels@bamaed.ua.edu
Looking for opportunities to experience
academic & musical excellence ... pride & tradition ... service & leadership?
academic & musical excellence ... pride & tradition ... service & leadership?
