Prior to taking any graduate music study, all M.M.Ed. students must take the Graduate Music Diagnostic Examination and, early in their studies, complete all deficiencies and required courses resulting from the exam. Degree candidates must complete a prescribed program of 32 hours of graduate work and successfully pass an oral comprehensive examination. In addition, candidates must complete a written thesis or present one full recital. Another option requires 35 hours but no thesis or recital.

* Candidates will be able to demonstrate masters-level ability to develop logical arguments and conclusions in written form, and base their positions on findings in relevant research literature. * Candidates will be able to demonstrate masters-level knowledge of music history, music theory, and compositional styles by identifying, describing, comparing, and contrasting musical works from the Antiquity through modern times. * Candidates will be able to demonstrate masters-level knowledge by identifying, describing, and comparing specific methods of teaching and predominant educational theories, and the uses of these approaches in theor area of specialty (band, orchestra, choir, elementary, Pre-K/early childhood).