Admissions

Master of Music Education Application

1. Visit the applicant portal

What can you do in the applicant portal? Much more than just start your application! You can:

• Book an appointment with a member of our admissions team (choose from phone, virtual or in person appointments)
• Direct message with our admissions and advising team
• Start an application (You can save your progress and come back to finish any time)
• Submit an application!

On the log-in screen, choose "Sign Up for access as a new user."

2. Requirements for Master of Music Education Program Admission

All of the following requirements can be submitted electronically via the applicant portal:

• Letter of Introduction
• Professional Resume
• Two letters of recommendation (one personal reference, one professional reference
• Three to Four page essay on applicant’s philosophy of teaching and importance of music education in school curriculum
• Official transcripts form undergraduate institution/s (and graduate institution/s if applicable)
• Copy of teaching license/certificate (state issued)

• 15–20 minute video recorded demonstration of teaching. Detailed instructions regarding the video submission are available in the applicant portal. Video privacy policy

  Applying is free—there is no cost to apply to the program.

You can start an application, save progress, and return to the portal any time.

Licensure-Only Application

1. Visit the applicant portal

What can you do in the applicant portal? Much more than just start your application! You can:

• Book an appointment with a member of our admissions team (choose from phone, virtual or in person appointments)
• Direct message with our admissions and advising team
• Start an application (You can save your progress and come back to finish any time)
• Submit an application!

On the log-in screen, choose "Sign Up for access as a new user."

Professional Licensure Applicants*

Submit the following requirements electronically via the applicant portal:

• Letter of Introduction
• Professional resume
• Two letters of recommendation speaking to the candidate’s success as a music educator
• Three to four page essay on the candidate’s philosophy of music education
• Official transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended
• 15–20 minute video recorded demonstration of teaching. Detailed instructions regarding the video submission are available in the applicant portal.

Initial Licensure Applicants (Post-Baccalaureate Program)

Submit the following requirements electronically via the applicant portal:

• Letter of Introduction
• Professional resume
• Two letters of recommendation speaking to the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses related to his/her potential for success as a musician and as an educator
• Official transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended
• Three to four page essay on the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses related to his/her potential for success as a music educator and reasons for pursuing initial licensure in music
• MTEL Music Subject Matter and MTEL Communication & Literacy skill tests score reports (passing score report required)
• Copy of teaching certificate with license type and certificate number clearly visible (if applicable)

Instrument Proficiency Requirements

Candidates for the Initial License Program must exhibit advanced proficiency on a major instrument.  Instruments can include winds, strings, percussion, voice, and piano.  Proficiency is validated by a review of the candidate’s undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree transcript with a major or minor in music education or music.

MTEL (Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure)

In order to receive endorsement for the Initial License in K–12 music, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requires candidates to achieve a passing score on the following MTEL exams:

• Communication and Literacy Skills
• Music Content

For complete information about MTEL requirements including test preparation information and how to register for a test date and location, visit the MTEL website.

Candidates are NOT REQUIRED to pass the MTEL exams in order to be accepted to the Post-Baccalaureate Initial License Program. Coursework in the program combined with advising prepares students to successfully earn passing scores. A passing score must be achieved before the student is enrolled in the final culminating teaching practicum course requirement.

*An important note regarding Massachusetts state regulations and the 12 credit option

Massachusetts state regulations distinguish the 12 Credit Option with two approaches to meeting the requirements for the Professional license in music:

• Approved 12-Credit Program: Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has reviewed and approved an institution's proposed 12 credit paradigm, all subject matter knowledge requirements are satisfied with an appropriate combination of content and pedagogy.
  
  Gordon College's 12 Credit Option Program was approved as part an official DESE site re-approval and re-accreditation visit in April 2011.
  
  In the case of an Approved 12 Credit Option Program, candidates must formally complete all admissions requirements and the program of study as listed by Gordon College.
  
  Upon completion of all requirements, Gordon College will handle each candidate's professional licensure application paperwork with DESE through the college's designated Graduate Education Licensure Officer.
   
• Individual 12-Credit Option for Professional License: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education lists an individual option for those who already hold a Master's degree to complete 12 credits of graduate coursework in the subject matter of the initial license.
  
  Candidates may take graduate level content courses in their discipline offered through one or more college or university departments or programs which don't necessarily offer a master's degree in that content area.
  
  In this case, no formal application to the Gordon College 12-Credit Approved Program would be necessary. Candidates would be welcome to enroll in graduate level music courses, and would be individually responsible for licensure application and documentation paperwork with the Department of Ed, without the assistance of the College's designated Licensure Officer as a conduit.

Workshops & Professional Development

Our Workshops and Professional Development program is open to any and all music educators at any stage in their career. They are a great opportunity to potentially earn graduate credit, explore a topic of interest, enhance your skills and be challenged as an educator. Weekend intensives are available during fall and spring semester, and our signature workshop week for music teachers takes place each July. Topics and clinicians vary and scholarships are available for new music educators.