New Master’s in Music Education Program at ASC

Photo by Brenda Figueroa: Music Building

Johnna Keever
The Paw Print

Adams State College was recently accredited by the National Association of School’s and Music to add a new Music Department Master of Art in Music Education program.  This program is coming at a great time for the Music Department and for Adams State.
Many changes have happened at Adams State so to many adding the only Master’s program in the Music Department would be a natural step to take. VanValkenburg has taken the role as the new director for the masters in music education in the music department.  “VanValkenburg’s years of experience in the public schools and his proficiency with online programs makes his a perfect candidate for the position as director of the master’s degree,” said Dr. Tracy Doyle.  
There had not been a master program in music at Adams State since 1960 to 1970.  With all the changes that the college is making, added this program is just one of many things that makes Adams State a University. There are fourteen online Masters in Music Education programs in the country.  Alamosa and surrounding areas will benefit from the new master’s degree in music education at Adams State.
VanValkenburg expects that 90 percent of the perspective enrollment in the program will already be teaching in a K-12 public school.  The degree will be open to students with a bachelor’s degree in music from accredited institutions of higher education, or hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject and has completed a state licenses program in music, or a bachelor’s degree in another subject and has earned a passing grade on a state standardized licensure exam in music or music education.
There will be two different ways to gain a Master’s Degree in Music Education, online where the student would be taking music education, music theory, music history, and elective and online with half of the courses will be on campus to get an emphasis in a program such as composition, conducting, or performance. Gaining a master’s degree in music education will benefit teachers that are already working in the K-12 schools and are music instructors of some kind, whether in band, choir, or as a music teacher.  The master degree can add three to four thousand to their salary each year compared to those with just bachelors in music education.
The program is still being developed and will hopefully be finished in time for March 1 enrollment. VanValkenburg already has a list of perspective students, for fall 2012. Adams State will be the lowest tuition to those perspective teachers, and they will not have to move out far away to gain their extra credentials.