Texas Tech University

Faculty member & student practicing in office

School of Music
Master of Music Education

Master of Music Education

The Master of Music Education degree may be attained with a 30-hour program that includes a thesis or a 36-hour program without a thesis.

Coursework for all MME degree plans may be completed:

  • during the long terms (Fall and Spring)
  • during the summers
  • at a distance
  • any combination of the above

Students who earn a Master of Music Education are able to enter/return to the teaching profession with additional knowledge, experiences, and credentials that should enable the individual to have greater levels of success with the teaching and learning of music to learners of all levels and in varied settings.  

Degree Checklists

What Sets Us Apart

The Music Education program at Texas Tech University is one of the most highly regarded programs in the state of Texas.  We have faculty members who have taught in the private and/or public schools, have teaching experiences in the areas of early childhood, elementary, middle school, and high school music, and have taught all over the state, the nation, and in various parts of the world. Our faculty members are also published scholars and authors who frequently present at state, national, and international music education conferences.

The Master of Music Education program at Texas Tech University School of Music provides graduate students with an opportunity to pursue graduate studies in a manner that functions best with their professional and personal responsibilities.  For those who are interested in attending graduate school full-time, the In-Residence program provides that learning experience.  For others who are interested in attending graduate school at a distance while remaining employed as a music practitioner, the Distance program provides access to that type of learning experience.

The Master of Music Education - Distance and Summers Only programs have been in existence for several years.  Prior to COVID-19, our institution was providing graduate students with access to online learning opportunities.  Our current distance options include the following:

  • online-only classes (asynchronous – no class meetings)
  • classes taken at a distance via video-conferencing (synchronous – must be online at the times the classes meet)

A wide variety of elective hours are offered on a varying schedule and are a part of the Master of Music Education degree plan.  Elective hours may be selected to emphasize: Best Practices in Band/Orchestra/Choir/Elementary, Conducting, Kodaly Certification, Music Technology, Music Research, Music in Diverse Settings, Applied Lessons, Ensembles, additional Musicology or Music Theory, other topics of interest.

Texas Tech University also offers a Bachelor + Early Admission Masters Program in Music Education (BM+ Early Admission MMED).  This program allows exceptional students to enroll in 9 specified hours and dual count them toward both the Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree and the Masters of Music Education degree at Texas Tech University. Students who apply and are admitted into this program enroll in the School of Music as well as the Graduate School while they are still undergraduates.

 

Faculty

We have faculty members who are published scholars, authors, and clinicians who have taught in the private and/or public schools, have teaching experiences in the areas of early childhood, elementary, middle school, and high school music, and have taught all over the state, the nation, and in various parts of the world

Thesis & Non-thesis Tracks

Students may pursue a Master of Music Education either while in residence or at a distance.  This graduate degree also has thesis and non-thesis tracks

Degree Flexibility

The degree plan offers a great deal of flexibility so the degree can be tailored to meet the interests and needs of each of our graduate students.  All Master of Music Education degree programs include 5 required courses (3 specified music education courses; 1 choice in musicology; 1 choice in music theory) and all other courses are elective hours selected in a way that reflects the interests of the student and advice of the major professor

Program Highlights

The Master of Music Education program at Texas Tech University School of Music provides graduate students with an opportunity to pursue graduate studies in a manner that functions best with their professional and personal responsibilities.  For those who are interested in attending graduate school full-time, the In-Residence program provides that learning experience.  For others who are interested in attending graduate school at a distance while remaining employed as a music practitioner, the Distance program provides access to that type of learning experience.  Furthermore, depending on one's current and long-term goals, one may choose to follow either the Thesis or the Non-Thesis track.  

MORE HIGHLIGHTS

 
 
 
Student & FacultyStudent & Faculty with Xylophone

Facilities & Technology

Space

Access to all spaces within the School of Music, including Hemmle Hall, the Choral Room, the Band Hall, practice rooms, and the academic classrooms

Hemmle Hall

Platforms & Software

Students will make frequent use of different learning platforms/software programs (e.g., MusicFirst, Google Drive, Zoom).

Student in front of computer

Admissions

 

APPLY NOW

In order to apply for admission into the Graduate School and the School of Music, the instructions on the following website should be followed:   

In addition to submitting the required materials, a personal interview or audition before the appropriate divisional faculty is typically required, but if travel to Texas Tech University is not an option, telephone or online interviews may be an option.  A preliminary review of application materials by faculty generally precedes the invitation for a personal audition or interview.

QUESTIONS

Clark Preston
Graduate Coordinator
806.742.2274 

HIGHER PROGRAM OFFERING

Students pursuing the Master of Music Education degree in Dance could apply for the Ph.D. in Music Education Degree at Texas Tech University. 

TUITION ESTIMATOR

Curriculum

All MME degree programs include 5 required courses (3 specified music education courses; 1 choice in musicology; 1 choice in music theory). All other hours are elective based on the interests of the student and advice of the major professor.

ELECTIVES

Elective hours may be selected to emphasize:

  • Best Practices in Band/Orchestra/Choir/Elementary
  • Conducting
  • Kodaly Certification
  • Music Technology
  • Music Research
  • Applied Lessons
  • Ensembles
  • Additional Musicology
  • Music Theory
  • Other topics of interest

ONLINE LEARNING

Distance options include:

  • online-only classes (asynchronous – no class meetings)
  • classes taken at a distance via video-conferencing (synchronous – must be online at the times the classes meet)

SOM STUDENT GRADUATE HANDBOOK

ONLINE CATALOG INFORMATION

Alumni Success & Careers

CAREER POSSIBILITIES

Texas Tech University has graduate alumni with successful music teaching careers all over the state of Texas, across the nation, and in other parts of the world.  

Questions

Clark Preston

Clark Preston
Lead Advisor

Dr. Jacqueline Henninger

Dr. Jacqueline Henninger
Associate Director for Academic Studies and Affairs

Image of Dr. John Parsons

Dr. John Parsons
Division Head, Music Education