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Music Education Admissions Information

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M.A.Ed. in CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION, specialization in MUSIC EDUCATION

MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

  • VT Students: senior status.
  • VT Graduates and other applicants: A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institute of higher education.
  • A minimum of 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.
  • Transcript reviews of applicants with Music degrees from other colleges should provide evidence that the programs meet specific content requirements; otherwise, candidates will need to take additional undergraduate coursework as part of the licensure program.
  • Passing score on VCLA (must be obtained prior to student teaching, required for Virginia licensure)
  • TOEFL/ IELTS  (For all non-U.S. citizens or non-U.S. permanent residents). Learn more about testing requirements.

GRE Scores are NOT required for application to this program

APPLICATION DEADLINES

  • All prospective students:   December 1

Note: Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, contact the executive director for Equity and Access at (540) 231-8771 or Virginia Tech, North End Center, Suite 2300 (0318), 300 Turner St. NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061. 

Application Checklist

Transcripts
Please provide a scanned copy of your college transcripts with your online application. Please arrange for an official copy to be sent to us after you receive an offer of admission.

Department Graduate Testing Requirements
The GRE is NOT required for the Music Education (Choral or Instrumental) Licensure Program

Licensure Testing Requirements

  • Applicants must submit passing scores for the Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA). Testing information is on http://www.va.nesinc.com.

Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required for Reading Specialist (K-12).

Letter of Interest and Curriculum Vitae/Resume
letter of interest (3-5 pages) is required by the program along with your latest Curriculum Vitae/Resume

Evidence of English Proficiency 

The Graduate School requires that all non-U.S. citizens or non-U.S. permanent residents demonstrate English proficiency to ensure they enter the university with sufficient English skills necessary to function in a graduate program. A TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test score is the most common way international applicants demonstrate English proficiency. We require a minimum TOEFL score of 90 (IBT) or an IELTS score of 6.5 for admission. Test scores should be sent to us using ETS institution code 5859. See this page if you qualify for an English language proficiency test waiver. 

Additional Information/Supporting Material

Applicants are welcome to submit any additional information with application material that would be useful in the evaluation of your application.

Graduate Assistantships on Blacksburg Campus Only

A question on the application for graduate admission asks whether you want to be considered for a teaching assistantship. Check yes. Please note that Indicating that you wish to be considered for an assistantship does not mean that you will be offered one, only that you wish to be considered for one, if available. It is not advisable to carry an assistantship in the spring semester when you are student teaching, so it might be very challenging to find an assistantship for the fall semester only.

What about financial aid?

Please register for Financial Aid through completing the FAFSA, additional information is available through the Financial Aid office.

Please check the SOE and CLAHS websites for scholarships.

Application Fees
Degree-seeking students must include a $75 fee with their application. If this poses a financial hardship, check with the Graduate School to see if you qualify for a waiver or reduced fee. All application fees are non-refundable.

To apply to the graduate program, students must submit the Virginia Tech Graduate School online application. 

 Send official scores to Virginia Tech Graduate School, code 5859.

In-state K-12 teachers are eligible for a 25% discount! Use this application form in order to receive the reduced costs. Otherwise, as with on-campus students, we refer you to the VT Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid for information on financial assistance. Generally, distance learners may qualify for federal loans if they take 5 or more credit hours per semester.

Find out what loans are available as a graduate student and other opportunities.

School of Education Scholarships

The Graduate School sends an official offer of admission to applicants upon the recommendation of the department faculty.

Include a scanned copy of your college transcripts with your online application, then arrange for an official copy to be sent to us after you receive an offer of admission.

The official transcripts showing degree conferral should be sent directly from your institution(s) to Graduate Admissions and School of Education:

To:
Virginia Tech Graduate Admissions
120 Graduate Life Center at Donaldson Brown (Mail Code 0325)
155 Otey Street NW
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061

and to:
Virginia Tech School of Education
Office of Academic Programs 
1750 Kraft Drive (0302)
Suite 2000
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061

Contact the Office of Academic Programs for Admissions Support:

Lori Sharp
Enrollment Services Specialist
1750 Kraft Drive (0302), #2063
540-231-5348
llsharp@vt.edu

For Further Information, Contact the Program Leader

Dr. Catheryn Foster smiles confidently into the camera. she wears a light blue blouse. She has brown hair and blue eyes
Dr. Catheryn Foster, Assistant Professor of Practice of Music Education and Program Leader

Dr. Catheryn Foster
Program Leader
1750 Kraft Drive (0302), #2082
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540-231-9423 | csfoster@vt.edu