[AreaMusicTeachers] ETAMU Summer Graduate Cohort for Elementary Music Educators

[Darla Meek]

Dear Elementary Music Colleagues,

The East Texas A&M University School of Music presents an exciting option for teachers who want to earn a Master of Music with emphasis in Music Education:  the ETAMU Graduate Music Education Cohort.  Participants earn their graduate degree in four consecutive summers while still working full-time.

This 30-hour, summers-only program was the first of its kind in North Texas.  It was created specifically for full-time elementary music teachers.  Students are challenged to develop a greater understanding and mastery of the music teaching-learning processes, to improve personal musicianship, and to become leaders within the music education profession.

The program offers a combination of coursework in music education (pedagogy, movement, conducting), music history, research, philosophy, theory, and performance study. Students also complete an independent study project on a subject of their choice within the realm of elementary music.  All classes are held face-to-face during the month of June.
Features of the program:

  *   No GRE Exam is required for admittance into the program.
  *   If you have taken Kodály or Orff Schulwerk courses, you may earn credit for those hours even if you did not take them for graduate credit at the time.
  *   CPE credit is given for pedagogy and literature courses (45 hours for each 3-ch course and 30 hours for each 2-ch course)
  *   All classes will be held at the beautiful Dallas site located at 8750 North Central Expressway.
  *   Visit the website here: https://www.tamuc.edu/programs/music-mm-summer-cohort/

What is a cohort?
A cohort program is a fully planned curriculum with a specified starting and ending date.  Students are admitted to the program as a group that moves through the program together, taking courses in a planned sequence.  Because the program is fully scheduled from the outset, students find it easier to plan ahead and better manage their schedules between work, home, and study.

What are the advantages?
1.  In most degree programs, there are only a few courses that must be taken in a particular order. While this gives students flexibility, it also means that students in any given course will be at different stages in the learning process.   In a cohort program, faculty members know exactly what courses students in the cohort have taken and in what order. Therefore, the curriculum in a cohort program is more cohesive with stronger links between courses.

2.  Most graduate students are full-time music teachers who are studying part-time while working and fulfilling family responsibilities. Sometimes it is difficult for such students to feel as though they are a part of the university's community. However, a cohort provides a strong sense of belonging, and creates a network of support that is invaluable long after the participants complete the program.

3.  Because this is a summers-only program, students will be able to assimilate their new learning during the interposing academic years.

Yes, a graduate degree is a big undertaking. And I can tell you from experience that it is worth every minute… such a massive return on such a relatively small investment. The students are working professionals, just like you, who are fun, friendly, and passionate about teaching with excellence. You will leave overflowing with ideas to use with your students, new skills, and a renewed sense of the importance of what you do!


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Here is an outline of the coursework:


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If you are interested in learning more, simply reply to this email. I am looking forward to chatting with you!


Darla


Darla Meek, Ed.D. (she/her/hers)


Assistant Head, School of Music

Lecturer and Coordinator of Music Education


School of Music<https://www.tamuc.edu/music/>  |  Music Building, 222


|  P: 903.886.5294  |  F: 903.468.6010


Mail: P.O. Box 3011, Commerce, TX 75429
Ship: 2600 S Neal Street, Commerce, TX 75428


[TAMUC logo]<https://www.tamuc.edu/>


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