Music Education

Bachelor of Music in Music Education

This four-year degree qualifies candidates for pre-kindergarten – 12^th grade music teaching certification in Georgia. Candidates develop a primary area of expertise by selecting either a Choral or Instrumental Emphasis. They also gain skills and knowledge to teach outside their expertise and in elementary music classrooms. The curriculum includes both traditional and contemporary approaches to music education. Field Experiences in local public schools begin in the candidate’s second year and continue through a full semester of student teaching. Many candidates also gain additional teaching experience by working with local church choirs, marching bands, and community groups. As Music Majors, candidates are eligible to participate in the full range of ensembles offered by Georgia Southern University.

The Grestch School anticipates that graduates of this program will seek the following professional state licenses or certifications:  T4 Teacher Certification.

The Gretsch School has determined that the required classes and educational activities of this academic program will qualify a graduate of this program to take the exam for a T4 Teacher Certificate in Georgia.

For required disclosures on whether this program satisfies the license requirements of all states and territories for the T4 certificate, click here to check the requirements of your state or territory.

Master of Music in Music Education

The M.M. in Music Education fosters creativity and 
proficiency in the teaching and learning of music at all levels. Graduate students build on their existing knowledge and experience through advanced study in band, choral, or orchestral repertoire; effective teaching; conducting; philosophy; world music; motivation; and learning. Students have the flexibility to choose courses or performance opportunities directly related to their own interests. A final capstone project is developed with a faculty mentor and may be in the form of educational materials, behavioral research, or a written project.

The majority of graduate music courses are offered on campus, enabling students to interact directly with faculty and their peers. Part-time students frequently keep their ‘day job’ as teachers in nearby schools. Full-time students are eligible to apply for a number of Graduate Assistantships available in the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music.

Music and Brain Research Group

The goals of the Music and Brain Research Group are as follows:

• To explore results of recent research relevant to our interests.
• To involve members in research projects, including undergraduate Honors Theses.
• To foster interdisciplinary relationships among students, staff, faculty, and community members in the fields of music, psychology, neuroscience, and health sciences.
• To equip group members to further explore their own interests, and to share their knowledge outside the research group.

This group welcomes students, staff, faculty, and community members who are interested in the intersections of music, psychology, neuroscience, and health. Specific topics addressed in the group will be drawn from members’ interests. These may include how music study impacts brain structure and function, how music study may (or may not) improve cognitive skills, and the use of music to support healthy aging.

Goals

The goals of the Music and Brain Research Group are as follows:

• To explore results of recent research relevant to our interests.
• To involve members in research projects, including undergraduate Honors Theses.
• To foster interdisciplinary relationships among students, staff, faculty, and community members in the fields of music, psychology, neuroscience, and health sciences.
• To equip group members to further explore their own interests, and to share their knowledge outside the research group.

Meetings & Events

The Music and Brain Research Group is new for the 2018-2019 academic year. We will meet twice a month, likely after 5:00pm, for one hour. Meetings will be held in Foy Building and other buildings on the Statesboro campus. Community members can park for free on campus after 4:00pm.

Building from a research lab model, we will use one meeting each month as Journal Club: a research article will be sent out in advance of the meeting, and we will discuss it at the meeting. Other meetings will be used to visit labs on campus, participate in simulated research studies, hear from guest speakers, and allow students or faculty to give practice talks for upcoming presentations.

Contact

If you have questions or are interested in joining, please email Dr. Laura Stambaugh, who leads the group, or stop by her office at Foy #1004. The Music and Brain Research Group is open to students, staff, and faculty from any area, as well as community members.

lstambaugh@georgiasouthern.edu   912-478-5845

Faculty:

Questions? Contact Us!

Dr. David Langley
Phone: 912-478-2322

Email: dlangley@georgiasouthern.edu

Last updated: 11/30/2023