Teaching: Secondary Education (Music Education Program Emphasis), M.A.

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program aims to develop reflective and transformative teachers capable of working collaboratively with children, youth, their families and communities for the sustainable well-being of educational, social and ecological systems. The mission of the Chapman MAT program is to prepare reflective teacher-researchers who use integrated, developmentally appropriate, and critical pedagogies, and are ready to collaborate within diverse educational communities in order to lead us towards a more economically, socially, environmentally and politically just world.

In California, the appropriate credential to teach music at the elementary, middle and secondary level is the Single Subject credential in Music.

The Master of Arts in Teaching: Secondary Education program allows the candidate to obtain both the single subject credential and the master’s degree through an integrated program of coursework, fieldwork, and student research. Students will take the courses listed below.

Single Subject Teaching Credential in Music

The single subject credential allows the holder to teach in a specific subject area. Music education students who intend to enroll in the credential program at Chapman may complete the professional education courses of the credential program after the bachelor of music is awarded or may include professional education courses as part of the upper-division undergraduate program. All professional education coursework must be approved by an advisor in the Attallah College of Educational Studies. Requirements for the credential program are specified in the Attallah College of Educational Studies Public School Credential Program section of the graduate catalog. The normal residency for completion of the Bachelor of Music (Pre-Music Education Certification) degree and required professional education courses is five years.

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires candidates who are pursuing a single subject credential to verify their subject matter competence as a part of their teaching qualifications. This requirement must be fulfilled before entering the student teaching phase of the credential program. To fulfill the requirement, candidates must pass the music California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET). The music CSET consists of three subtests, and it is recommended that they be taken during a candidate’s first semester in the credential program. In addition, the student must achieve an overall GPA of at least 3.000 in the last 60 semester (or 90 quarter) credits of their completed degree program and must pass the CBEST examination prior to admission to the credential program. CSET and other testing requirements will be reviewed with each candidate by the education director when they first enter the single subject credential program.

Admission to the program

Admission to the program may be achieved by the completion of the following requirements:

1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
2. Submit passing score on the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST) or equivalent.
3. Have a minimum admission grade point average of 3.000. Applicants with an admission grade point average between 2.750 and 2.990 can be admitted in provisional standing for a maximum of one semester; provisional standing for the M.A. in Teaching specifies that students can enroll only in 500- level courses and can complete a maximum of 12 credits. Students who are below a 2.750 grade point average will be denied admission to the M.A. in Teaching.
4. Submit passing scores on, or proof of registration for, the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET).

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing State examination requirements for the Single Subject Credential

1. Passing score on the CBEST or equivalent.
2. Passage of CSET prior to Student Teaching.
3. Meet the U.S. Constitution requirement (by transcript or exam).
4. Obtain a Certificate of Clearance.
5. Complete Infant, Child and Adult CPR requirement.
6. Negative TB test.
7. Successful completion of the California Teacher Performance Assessments (CalTPAs).
8. In addition, all teacher education program candidates are expected to follow the Teacher Education Disposition Policy, which can be found in their respective Program Handbook.
9. Successful completion of all credential courses listed below.

Demonstration of mastery

M.A. in Teaching: Secondary Music Education degree candidates must demonstrate mastery of the program elements through the successful completion of a culminating project typically consisting of a portfolio or project including an oral presentation, before a panel of educators. This demonstration of mastery occurs at the end of the student’s last semester in the program, after completing all coursework and fieldwork. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.000 in all M.A. in Teaching coursework prior to the submission of the portfolio/project to the portfolio/project advisor for presentation and approval.

Requirements for the Master of Arts in Teaching: Secondary Education (Music Education Program Emphasis) degree

Students pursuing the Master of Arts in Teaching: Secondary Education (Music Education Program Emphasis) are held to the University’s Academic Policies and Procedures . In addition, these specific degree standards apply:

• Minimum grade “C+” or above required in all coursework.
• Maintain 3.000 GPA in the degree.
• Completing all coursework and fieldwork.
• Successful completion of an approved culminating experience, typically consisting of a portfolio or project including an oral presentation, before a panel of educators.
• Due to embedding of credential courses within the master’s degree curriculum, students must pass or fulfill all credential requirements (including examinations external to Chapman University, such as CBEST, CSET, RICA, and/or TPA, or their equivalents as determined by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing in place during their enrollment in their credential program) to be eligible for master’s degree conferral. Students seeking exceptions must file a Graduate Petition form and exceptions must be approved by the Graduate Academic Council.

The following courses make up the M.A. in Teaching: Secondary Education (Music Education Program Emphasis) curriculum: