Dr. Lisa Beckley-Roberts, Associate Professor and Chair 
Dr. Ramon Jackson, Assistant Professor, Graduate Program Coordinator, and Assistant Chair
F.D. Hall Music Center
P.O.  Box 17055
Telephone: (601) 979-2141
Fax: (601) 979-0858
e-mail: music@jsums.edu

Faculty

Dr. L. Beckley-Roberts, Associate Professor
Dr. A. Duckett, Associate Professor
Dr. I. Elezovic, Associate Professor
Dr. D. Harris, Sr., Instructor of Music
Dr. R. Jackson,  Assistant Professor
Dr. P. Lewis-Hale, Assistant Professor
Dr. D. Mahloch, Instructor of Music
Dr. J. Mathena, Adjunct Professor
Dr. G. Smith, Associate Professor
Dr. D. Ware, Visiting Assistant Professor

Accreditation

Jackson State University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The NASM national office is at 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, Virginia 20190-5248 and can be reached by phone at (703)437-0700. The CAEP national is at 1140 19th St NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 and can be reached by phone at (202)223-0077.

Program Objectives

Based upon the stated guidelines and standards of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), CAEP, the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME) and "AA" Certification requirements of the State of Mississippi as stated in Bulletin 130, the Department of Music at Jackson State University offers graduate programs in Music Education which will prepare students to:

1. Raise the instructional competencies of music teachers in K-12 schools and junior colleges.
2. Meet the increasing demands, ever changing environments and growing needs of today’s society for qualified music educators in early childhood, elementary, secondary and junior/community college levels.
3. Promote learning environments conducive to improving the instructional programs in music throughout the State of Mississippi.

The Master of Music Education program will:

1. Provide concentrated, advanced post-baccalaureate study in a major field or specialization in music.
2. Provide studies beyond the major, which support the major directly by developing a breadth of competence.
3. Improve the competencies of music students to become proficient performers of music in general, vocal, keyboard and instrumental areas.
4. Broaden the scope of graduate study and learning in music with particular reference to various idioms, styles, media, careers, and methodologies.
5. Provide historical, theoretical and technical bases for effective development of musicality on the graduate level.
6. Contribute to and participate actively in the cultural life of the University, area schools, and the community.

Licensure

Candidates for the Master of Music Education Degree in the Department of Music at Jackson State University are required to complete a minimum of 36 credit hours. The candidate has an option to complete one of the following plans of study: Thesis Plan, Project Plan, Recital Plan, and Extra Hours Plan. Students who complete this program are eligible for Class "AA" licensure from the Mississippi Department of Education to teach instrumental or vocal music in K-12 schools and community colleges. In addition, during the first year of graduate school, the candidate is encouraged to prepare and take PRAXIS CASE, Music PRAXIS II, PLT examinations and apply for the Music Endorsement Licensure with the Mississippi Department of Education.

Admission Requirements

Full admission to the Master of Music Education degree program requires:

1. Undergraduate degree in Music (Bachelor of Music Education, BME; Bachelor of Music, BM; Bachelor of Science, BS; Bachelor of Arts, BA.
2. 3.00 Grade Point Average on a 4.00 scale
3. Satisfactory scores on the PRAXIS CASE and PLT examinations 
4. 3 letters of recommendation
5. Personal interview/audition scheduled with the program coordinator/advisor
6. Entrance examinations in Music Theory, Music History and Music Education.

Based on an individualized approach to instructional programming and the selection of a degree plan, a graduate student's program of study in music at Jackson State University is outlined according to one of the following plans:

Degree Plans

Core courses required for area of concentration and each degree plan for all graduate students are:

1. Thesis Plan
2. Project Plan
3. Recital Plan
4. Extra Hours Plan

Courses and the appropriate number of hours are determined in conference with graduate advisers in accordance with the degree plan selected.

In graduate music lecture classes, one semester hour of credit equals one hour of class instruction and at least two hours of work outside of class for 15 weeks. Additionally, in graduate music recitals, two semester hours of credit equals one hour of applied instruction and at least two hours of work outside of class for 15 weeks. Likewise, in applied graduate music classes, two semester hours of credit equals one hour of applied instruction and at least two hours of work outside of class for 15 weeks.

Thesis Plan

Project Plan

Recital Plan

Extra Hours Plan