Music Learning and Teaching, MM
Broaden and deepen your approach to teaching and program design to create generative and supportive music programs that contribute to students' growth and learning.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
The National Association of Schools of Music accredits Arizona State U...
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Music Learning and Teaching, MM description
The Master of Music program in music learning and teaching is designed for you as a music educator, teaching artist or music professional, to help you seek new and expanded opportunities for career development in learning and teaching.
Program flexibility affords you opportunities to customize degree pathways; advance your goals; and develop musical, scholarly and leadership roles in your professional settings. You develop your capacity to address pressing issues in music learning and teaching and contribute to professional dialogue.
You may elect courses in each part of the degree program and may design a course of study that meets your specific interests and needs. The program provides opportunities to study full time, part time (through evening courses) or in the summers only, or to combine full-time, part-time and summer study. As a full-time student, you may complete the program in as little as one year. You can also complete courses toward the degree program as a digital commuter (off campus) via the ASU Sync platform, which involves attending an in-person course live online.
If you're interested in teacher certification, you can pursue those requirements concurrently with or separately from master's degree study.
Why study music learning and teaching at ASU?
Expand your professional practice through opportunities to learn from leading faculty, collaborate across disciplines and build connections in the arts.
- Expert faculty: Learn from internationally recognized artists, educators and scholars.
- Creative collaboration: Work across disciplines with musicians, media artists and others.
- Performance opportunities: Perform in faculty, guest artist and student works throughout the year.
- Professional connections: Access a network of alumni, internships, residencies and partnerships across the arts.
- Customized pathways: Tailor your focus to performance, teaching, research, administration or interdisciplinary practice.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
32 credit hours and a portfolio
The degree credit requirements are distributed as follows: music learning and teaching core (10 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Requirements Six credit hours may be transferred from another regionally accredited graduate institution. Up to nine credit hours may be taken prior to admission. As part of the portfolio, students also must participate in an oral review that is monitored internally by the academic unit. Additional information on degree requirements for this degree is available on the curriculum check sheet located on the Music, Dance and Theatre graduate degree page.
musicianship core (10 credit hours)
specialization (12 credit hours)
Completion of diagnostic exams in musicology and music theory is required of all new graduate music students prior to enrollment in the School of Music, Dance and Theatre.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Develop independent research skills to analyze and interpret music.
- Analyze one's own performance in research and teaching practices.
- Design appropriate instructional activities for K--12 music programs.
Develop independent research skills to analyze and interpret music.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a U.S. bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from an institution in another country that is officially recognized by that country. Applicants must have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 credit hours or 90 quarter hours of their first bachelor's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information A bachelor's degree in music is not required for admission to a master's program. However, all applicants without a bachelor's degree in music should contact MDTAdmissions@asu.edu for information on potential remedial courses. Remedial courses may be taken at ASU, another accredited university or a community college before or after admission to this program, but they must be completed before starting graduate-level course requirements in music history and music theory. Applications are accepted until all spaces are filled and are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible and should see the program website for more information about application deadlines. To ensure prompt processing, applicants should email MDTAdmissions@asu.edu after submitting an application.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. The School of Music, Dance and Theatre does not offer conditional admission under any circumstances. To meet English proficiency requirements, students should have a minimum TOEFL iBT® score of 4, or 80 (taken at a testing center) if taken before January 21, 2026; an IELTS overall band score of at least 6.5; or a Pearson Test of English score of at least 60.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | Rolling* |
*A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this music learning and teaching master's degree prepares you for
The flexibility of the MM program in music learning and teaching affords students opportunities to customize degree pathways toward multiple kinds of careers while still working as music educators, teaching artists or music professionals.
Career examples include:
- arts administrator
- community arts advocate
- performing musician
- public or community school teacher
- teaching artist or university professor
- worship music leader
- youth development facilitator
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Music, Dance and Theatre
|
MUSIC E167
mdtadmissions@asu.edu
480-965-5069
Admission deadlines
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
