Program Overview

Music Theory Pedagogy (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The Music Theory Pedagogy (Graduate Certificate) program offers specialized study in music theory to help prepare students to teach undergraduate courses in fundamentals, harmony, musicianship, and basic form analysis. Completion of this certificate indicates that the student is prepared to offer instruction in basic music theory at the college level.

At a Glance

• College/school: Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
• Location: Tempe
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Degree Requirements

The program requires 15 credit hours.

• Required Core (3 credit hours): MTC 525 Pedagogy of Theory (3)
• Other Requirement (3 credit hours): MTC 584 Internship (3)
• Electives (9 credit hours): Completion of diagnostic examinations in musicology and music theory administered by the School of Music, Dance and Theatre is required of all new graduate music students before they enroll in any graduate academic courses toward the certificate program. Electives are selected with advisor approval from MTC courses in analytical topics.

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements: All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
• U.S. applicants and international applicants must meet specific requirements, including English proficiency.
• Applicants must have earned a U.S. bachelor's degree in music or music education from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from an international institution officially recognized by that country.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or in any applicable graduate work is required.
• All applicants must submit:
  • Graduate admission application and application fee
  • Official transcripts
  • School of Music, Dance and Theatre certificate application
  • Proof of English language proficiency

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:

• Design appropriate instructional activities for basic music theory at the college level.
• Assess one's own pedagogy skills through an internship experience.

Career Opportunities

A certificate in music theory pedagogy can help graduates enhance the marketable skills they acquire in their major program and help them develop new skills apart from it, though most career areas do require more training than a certificate alone can provide. Career examples include:

• Arts administrator
• Performing musician
• Public or community school teacher
• University professor

Additional Information

The certificate is intended to be pursued concurrently with enrollment in a master's degree program or doctoral degree program in the School of Music, Dance and Theatre. International students who need an F1 or J1 visa first need to apply to and be accepted into a graduate degree program before they can be considered for the certificate program. International students residing in the U.S. on other types of visas must adhere to all Graduate College policies and procedures regarding admission to be considered to this certificate program.