Pathways to Your Future — Graduate Music Education
Graduate Music Education at Ohio State
Whether you are interested in completing a Master of Arts, seeking professional development, or exploring areas of interest within and outside of music, Ohio State’s Pathways to Your Future in Music Education provides the flexibility to meet your professional goals and schedule.
Choose from summer courses, autumn/spring courses (most in the evenings), or online and in-person courses to begin a pathway to your future.
Offerings in Music Education — Summer 2026
Music 6754 (3 credits) — Cognitive, Social and Health Benefits of Music Engagement
- Instructor: Dr. Eugenia Costa-Giomi
- 8-week class: June 5–July 30
- Online with mandatory synchronous (online) meetings on Wednesdays, 9:10–10:45 a.m.
In this course you will become familiar with the focus and methodology of research on the effects of music participation on individual and collective behaviors, traits, perceptions, health and well-being indicators, and selected neurophysiological processes. We will discuss the interpretation, impact, applications and limitations of current and past research on the topic and its implications for the field of music.
MUSIC 7754 (2 credits) — Midwest Summer String Teachers Seminar
- Instructors: Heather Lofdahl, assistant professor of music education and selected guest faculty
- One-week in-person workshop: July 12–18
- Visit String Teacher Workshop web page
Intended for professional educators, this workshop is designed to help participants develop pedagogical and performance skills for teaching strings in the classroom. Session topics include developing secondary string instrument performance skills, rehearsing beginning through advanced orchestras, conducting technique, curriculum and repertoire, instrument repair, assessment, creativity, and classroom management. Clinicians are expert string pedagogues from around the country.
Program Features
The Master of Arts in Music Education at Ohio State is a flexible program tailored to you!
With only two required courses in the MA degree program, students develop a custom-made curriculum in consultation with their individual music education advisor, choosing from online and in-person coursework in music, music education, education and other fields. Interdisciplinary study in other departments is also possible.
Coursework is offered in summers and evenings (during autumn/spring) to accommodate students’ schedules.
To Apply:
For the Master of Arts in Music Education, find instructions at Graduate Programs — How to Apply.
Application Deadline — May 1, 2026
For graduate non-degree, find instructions at Graduate Non-Degree Option.
Application Deadlines:
- International applicant — March 2, 2026
- U.S. applicant — June 28, 2026
If applying past the published deadline, contact Kurt Phelps at mus-grad@osu.edu or 614-292-6996 to request permission.
Note: Up to 10 credits of approved graduate non-degree coursework at Ohio State may be transferred into the degree program, and up to six credits of approved coursework may transfer from another accredited university.
Handschumaker Teaching Fellowship
New applicants to the MA in Music Education who are full-time teachers may request consideration for financial support through the Handschumaker Teaching Fellowship. These competitive awards provide $1,250 per semester for up to four consecutive semesters (maximum award: $5,000) for enrollment in music education graduate group instruction courses. Fellowships are non-renewable.
To be considered, applicants must indicate their interest in the Fellowship in their personal statement and describe their goals and qualifications.
Questions about Pathways or interested in a PhD program in Music Education?
Email Daryl Kinney, associate professor and area head for Music Education, at kinney.61@osu.edu.
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