Virginia Tech® home

Music Education (M.A.Ed.)

Dynamic, Robust Program

Who We Are

The Music Education Program faculty strive to identify and recruit talented and knowledgeable choral or instrumental teacher candidates, especially from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. We provide students with a variety of field experiences and other simulations that allow them to develop and practice teaching skills with a close focus on practices that support learning for diverse music students.

What We Offer

We have a five-year record of 100% job placement of graduates. This is based on the reputation and accomplishments of our previous graduates, as well as the fact that the VT program has more hands-on experience than any other program in the region. Our students interview with confidence based on their education and their experiences. Graduates seek and earn positions secondary and elementary schools. Music educators also find careers outside of K-12 schools, in a variety of arts venues. 

Want to Study With Us?

Students who possess or are in the process of completing an undergraduate degree in music (i.e., B.A. in Music, B.S. in Music Performance) are encouraged to apply.

Each plan of study is tailored to the needs of the individual student - including virtual options for interested students who are not local. 

Scroll down further on this page (or click the links) to learn about our approach, our program application dates and deadlines, meet our faculty, see news about our program, see music education alumni news, learn about music education program events, see photos from our program and our alumni, and to learn about our accreditation and memberships!

Dr. Catheryn Foster and Dr. Tami Draves presenting “Being a Mom in the Music Education Professoriate: An Autoethnography” at the National Association for Music Education Conference in National Harbor, Maryland (Nov. 2022)
Dr. Catheryn Foster and Dr. Tami Draves presenting “Being a Mom in the Music Education Professoriate: An Autoethnography” at the National Association for Music Education Conference in National Harbor, Maryland (Nov. 2022)
Dr. Catheryn Foster and Colonel Timothy Holtan (Retired Commander of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”), Conductors of the South Georgia Middle and High School Region Bands
Dr. Catheryn Foster and Colonel Timothy Holtan (Retired Commander of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”)
Dr. Foster rehearsing the South Georgia Middle School Region Band (Spring 22)
Dr. Foster rehearsing the South Georgia Middle School Region Band (Spring 22)

Our Rigorous, Research-Based, Proven Approach

The Virginia Tech Music Education Program provides Master’s students with a strong background in learning, pedagogy, and assessment in small classes. Contemporary educational thought and "best" instructional practices are provided for each level of K-12 education.

The School of Education's values of Equity and Access, Reflective Practice, and Learner Centered Instruction are modeled and developed throughout the program.

The Cohort Model and its Benefits

The Music Education Program utilizes cohort model. The cohort model is designed to facilitate social interaction, collaboration, and the formation of a supportive learning community.

Students in cohorts learn from and help each other with the successful completion of coursework and professional networking. Students who participate in cohort models generally report a strong sense of belonging and are more likely to complete their programs of study in a timely manner.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Virginia Tech discloses whether its educational programs leading to careers that require licensure meet educational requirements for professional licensure in each state, view the determinations for each state here.


Program Application Deadlines & Dates

Starting Semester:

Fall

Deadline:

May 1

Starting Semester:

Spring

Deadline:

October 1

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FACULTY

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

AFFILIATED FACULTY

Music Education Alumni News

Music Education Events: Past, Present, and Future

Diversity Grant

Dr. Catheryn Foster was awarded a CLAHS Diversity Grant during the 2023-2024 academic year. Through this grant funding, Virginia Tech hosted a professional development workshop for all VT Music Education students as well as area music teachers. The workshop was led by Devin Walker (“Uncle Devin”), a Washington, D.C.-based “drumcussionist” who specializes in racism in children’s music, incorporating percussion in the classroom, and Go-Go music, the indigenous music of Washington, D.C. Participants received hands-on experience as well as resources to incorporate in their own classrooms.

(Pictured L-R) Lolita Walker, Dr. Catheryn Foster, Devin Walker

Lolita Walker, Dr. Catheryn Foster, Devin Walker
(Pictured L-R) Lolita Walker, Dr. Catheryn Foster, Devin Walker

VT Graduate Music Ed students participating in the workshop

students participate in workshop
VT Graduate Music Ed students participating in the workshop

VT Graduate Music Ed students participating in the workshop

students participate in workshop
VT Graduate Music Ed students participating in the workshop

VT Graduate Music Ed students participating in the workshop

students participate in workshop
VT Graduate Music Ed students participating in the workshop

VT Graduate Music Ed students participating in the workshop

students participate in workshop
VT Graduate Music Ed students participating in the workshop

Other Program Photos

Virginia Tech Honor Band 2023 (Pictured L-R, Dr. Catheryn Foster, VT Asst. Prof. of Practice, Dr. Emmett O’Leary, VT Asst. Prof. of Music Education, Dr. Corey Seapy, Director of Bands at University of Central Missouri, Dr. Derek Shapiro, Director of Bands at Virginia Tech)

virginia tech honor band
Virginia Tech Honor Band 2023 (Pictured L-R, Dr. Catheryn Foster, VT Asst. Prof. of Practice, Dr. Emmett O’Leary, VT Asst. Prof. of Music Education, Dr. Corey Seapy, Director of Bands at University of Central Missouri, Dr. Derek Shapiro, Director of Bands at Virginia Tech)

Duncan Elston (c/o 2020) participates in the 2022 VMEA In-service Conference

student dancing
Duncan Elston (c/o 2020) participates in the 2022 VMEA In-service Conference

2022-2023 Cohort

graduating students
2022-2023 Cohort

VMEA In-service Conference 2023 – Dr. Foster’s rural band panel featuring Rachael Glasgow (c/o 2021), Logan Epperly (c/o 2022), & Hunter Allen (c/o 2023)

Dr. Foster’s rural band panel
VMEA In-service Conference 2023 – Dr. Foster’s rural band panel featuring Rachael Glasgow (c/o 2021), Logan Epperly (c/o 2022), & Hunter Allen (c/o 2023)

Outstanding Mentor Award 2024 presented to Thomas Graham, Director of Bands at Andrew Lewis Middle School, Salem, VA (Pictured L-R: Dr. Derek Shapiro, VT Director of Bands, Dr. Catheryn Foster, Asst. Prof. of Practice, Thomas Graham, Kenya Motley, ALMS Assistant Principal, Matthew Coe, ALMS Principal)

presentation of outstanding mentor award
Outstanding Mentor Award 2024 presented to Thomas Graham, Director of Bands at Andrew Lewis Middle School, Salem, VA (Pictured L-R: Dr. Derek Shapiro, VT Director of Bands, Dr. Catheryn Foster, Asst. Prof. of Practice, Thomas Graham, Kenya Motley, ALMS Assistant Principal, Matthew Coe, ALMS Principal)

ACCREDITATION AND MEMBERSHIP

Our Music Education Teacher Preparation Program is approved by the Virginia Department of Education. The Music Education Program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.