Music Education Admission Requirements

Select the program that you are interested in for more information:

Bachelor of Science in Music Education

After completing SED 111 and receiving a passing score on the Piano Proficiency Examination, students may apply for admission to the School of Education through the Department of Teaching, Literacy, and Leadership. This typically occurs during the student’s junior year

Master of Science in Music Education

Applications for admission to a Master of Science in Education program in the Department of Teaching, Literacy, and Leadership are made to the Graduate Admissions Office. Students who do not meet the full admission requirements must complete all prerequisite courses prior to conferring of the degree. Admission is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:

1. A completed application form to the master’s program.
2. A minimum grade point average of 2.75 in each of two categories:
   1. Overall undergraduate course work,
   2. Course work in music.
3. Completion of General Education Core requirements for teacher education programs (see below).
4. A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
5. Two letters of reference that address the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and in graduate course work.

Notes:

• Students admitted to the M.S. in Education program in Music Education should possess a bachelor’s degree in music or have a minimum of 36 s.h. in college-level music course work distributed over the following content areas:
  • Music Theory, 11 s.h.
  • Music History and Literature, 6 s.h.
  • Applied Music, 4 s.h.
  • Conducting, 3 s.h.
  • Secondary Applied, 5 s.h.
  • Performance, 3 s.h.
  • Other courses related to music, 4 s.h.
• If one or more of the above content areas are missing from any student’s transcript, those content areas must be completed prior to completion of the M.S. in Education degree. Of these 36 s.h., six may be taken at the graduate level and counted toward the M.S. in Education degree under the Electives category.
• Candidates who do not possess a bachelor’s degree in music, but who have succeeded in completing a majority of the required content courses with a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher, may apply for admission to the M.S. in Education program. Upon matriculation in the program, candidates may continue to complete the required content courses while they are completing the requirements for the master’s program. Where academic subject matter deficiencies in music are so great as to prevent completion of requisite work within the 38 s.h. master’s program, additional course work may be required. Matriculated students must complete a minimum of 29 s.h. of the M.S. in Education program in residence at Hofstra. No more than 9 s.h. may be transferred into the program. Student Teaching may be used to meet the 29 s.h. residency.

Master of Arts in Music Education

Applications for admission to a Master of Arts (M.A.) program in the Department of Teaching, Literacy, and Leadership are made to the Graduate Admissions Office. Admission is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:

1. A completed application form to the M.A. program.
2. New York state initial certification in music, valid for teaching grades PreK-12. (Applicants who have provisional certification rather than initial certification should see the appropriate graduate program director for program alternatives.)
3. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 in each of two categories:
   1. Overall undergraduate course work;
   2. Course work in the content area in which certification will be sought.
4. A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
5. Two letters of reference that address the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and in graduate course work.
6. Matriculated students must complete a minimum of 24 s.h. of the M.A. program in residence at Hofstra. No more than 9 s.h. may be transferred into the program. A maximum of 12 s.h. of graduate course work leading toward the M.A. degree may be completed prior to matriculation in the program.

Certificate Program in Fine Arts and Music Education

Application for admission to the certificate program in fine arts and music education is made to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Students who have not met the full admission requirements may be advised to complete prerequisite courses under a planned program before becoming eligible for acceptance.

Admission is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:

1. A completed application form to the program.
2. A bachelor’s degree with a major (or equivalent) in the content area in which certification will be sought and a master’s degree or an equivalent advanced degree in the content area where certification is being sought.
3. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 in each of two categories:
   1. undergraduate liberal arts course work,
   2. course work in the area(s) in which certification is sought. Applicants with a GPA between 2.50 and 2.75 may be accepted provisionally, subject to special conditions.
4. A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
5. Two letters of reference that address the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and in graduate course work.
6. An interview, audition, and/or portfolio.

Before completion of the first 12 credits of the program, it is recommended that students complete the liberal arts component of the teacher certification examinations.
A maximum of 6 graduate credits may be transferred into programs with the permission of the program graduate director.

Intensive Non-Degree Program in Music Education

Applications for admission to the intensive non-degree certification program in the Department of Teaching, Literacy, and Leadership are made to the Graduate Admissions Office. Admission is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:

1. A completed application form for the intensive non-degree certification program.
2. Evidence documenting that the applicant meets the requirements for the New York State’s Transitional C Certificate.
3. A written agreement with a school district for a teaching position for three years, two of which will be mentored by a support team including:
   1. A college faculty member of the program,
   2. The school principal or designee,
   3. An experienced New York state-certified teacher, and
   4. A school curriculum supervisor or specialist. The agreement shall specify that daily mentoring shall be provided by the experienced certified teacher during at least the first 20 days of the applicant’s teaching.
4. A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
5. Two letters of reference that address the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession.

Master of Arts in Wind Conducting

Applications for admission to a Master of Arts (M.A.) program in the Department of Teaching, Literacy, and Leadership are made to the Graduate Admissions Office. Admission is based on a comprehensive review of multiple criteria, including the following:

1. A completed application form to the master of arts program.
2. New York state initial certification for teaching music in all grades. Applicants who have provisional certification  should contact the Department of Teaching, Literacy, and Leadership for the correct program.
3. A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 in each of two categories:
   1. Overall undergraduate course work;
   2. Course work in the content area in which certification will be sought.
4. A written personal statement of professional intent and rationale.
5. Two letters of reference that address the applicant’s potential to succeed in the teaching profession and in graduate course work.
6. A conducting audition and interview with the program coordinator.   
7. Matriculated students must complete a minimum of 24 semester hours of the M.A. program in residence at Hofstra. No more than 9 semester hours may be transferred into the program. A maximum of 12 semester hours of graduate course work leading toward the M.A. degree may be completed prior to matriculation in the program.

The department understands that any single criterion may not reliably predict a candidate's potential for success in an graduate program. Consequently, candidates are welcome to apply if they do not meet one of the criteria but feel that other aspects of their experience may compensate.