Music Education, MAT
Why Pursue a Music Education MAT Degree?
At its best, music can touch your soul and shape your life. The same goes for educators. At Piedmont University, we can help you combine your love for music with an ability to teach – the results allow you to make a lifelong difference for young minds across the state. Piedmont’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Music Education can help you take your knowledge and love of music and show you how to produce that same affinity in young people. Our dedicated faculty will also expand your understanding of music while supplying you with a teaching acumen that will make a difference – no matter how little teaching experience you possess.
Piedmont’s MAT in music education is designed for students who have completed an undergraduate major in music and are seeking state certification in Georgia. This graduate degree can be completed either as a full-time or part-time student and is ideal for those who want to continue working while they complete the course work to become a music teacher. Internships are required and, unless already working in an accredited music teaching position, must be done in an accredited school during school day hours.
How a Piedmont Music Education MAT Degree Helps You
A Music Education MAT degree helps you gain a deeper understanding of music performance and theory while enhancing your ability to teach and inspire students.
- Helps gain teaching certification in the state of Georgia.
- Increases and expands your understanding and knowledge of music – and shows you how to teach that knowledge to students.
- Obtain a master’s degree in a setting and on a schedule that best suits your busy life.
- Opens PK-12 employment opportunities across the state, in both public and private systems.
Julia DeMello graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree (Music Performance) in 2022 and returned to Piedmont to pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching degree (Music Education) which she completed in 2024. Julia has been hired as Music Teacher at Tesnatee Gap Elementary School in White County. “While I knew before coming to Piedmont that I hoped to become a music educator, my professors encouraged me to pursue a BA [Bachelor of Arts degree] in Vocal Performance as well as an MAT [Master of Arts in Teaching degree] in Music Education. During my undergraduate studies, I received amazing 1:1 instruction and support that truly helped me find myself as a musician. By remaining at the university I already loved for graduate studies, I continued to get the same personalized experience I received as an undergraduate, learning to polish my knowledge and transfer it to my own classroom. I gained invaluable connections with both classmates and professors and found the confidence in my passion for music that I never had before. Through their support and encouragement, I found myself applying for jobs early, and getting a job placement before graduation! My experience at Piedmont University has truly been life changing, and I am so excited to begin teaching in a classroom of my own with their support behind me!”
Career Opportunities
A Music Education MAT degree from Piedmont opens doors and a wide range of professional pursuits. For instance, our graduates have gone on to build successful careers in:
An MAT degree in Music Education strengthens your teaching skills, deepens your musical expertise, and enhances your qualifications for advancing in public school music programs.
Building advanced expertise with a Music Education MAT degree and teaching skills positions you as a strong candidate for specialized and leadership roles within private school music programs.
More About Music Education MAT Degrees
Learn more about Music Education and the variety of options available to you as a Piedmont student.
Piedmont University’s Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in music education leads to initial certification in the state of Georgia. Classes take place exclusively on our Demorest campus (outside of field experience). This 42-43-credit hour program combines coursework and field experiences, culminating in a yearlong school experience that is comprised of two apprenticeship semesters. Experienced faculty and educators in local schools will work with you to provide knowledge, strategies, and real-world understanding that prepare you to teach in the modern educational environment. The program has been approved by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission for initial teacher certification. NOTE: Candidates from other states may be eligible for certification under the Interstate Certification Compact. To register for student teaching or take the capstone course in any program (whichever occurs last), MAT candidates must successfully pass the appropriate Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) tests(s) before registering for the final semester of coursework in the program.
While studying for a MAT in music education, you will learn in Piedmont University’s $10.1 million Conservatory of Music – which offers unparalleled opportunity for music education students. This new facility includes a concert hall with adjustable acoustics, acoustically isolated teaching studios, practice rooms, and a digital music suite. Our students experience music like never before and learn in an environment that is second to none. Our six vocal and instrumental ensembles in the department are also highly respected throughout the region. The facility also houses 27 Steinway pianos; a nod to our designation as an All-Steinway School.
Piedmont’s MAT in music education also requires that candidates have or maintain certain guidelines, including:
- Initial certification in Music (PK-12) from the State of Georgia or a state that participates in the Interstate Certification Compact. (For more information on this agreement, see gapsc.com/MovetoGeorgia/outOfStateEducators.aspx).
- Audition on major instrument (voice, piano, organ, etc.).
- Make a minimum score on a music theory placement exam (contact the graduate music education coordinator for minimum requirements).
- Show evidence of having successfully completed a senior-level recital on major instrument.
- Show evidence of, or pass, a piano proficiency exam.
Eligibility for application requires a bachelor’s degree with a 2.5 cumulative GPA from an accredited college or university.
Applicants must also submit:
- Graduate Admissions Application
- All official, final transcripts from every college attended
- Two (2) professional references. One reference is required from a supervising administrator, and the other can be a choice of the following: a former professor, or instructor (college instructor, staff development instructor or mentor), or professional colleague
- Personal Affirmation Form
- For Music Education, applicants must have completed a music degree at the undergraduate level. Any exceptions must be approved by the Music Department Chair. Applicant must have an approved audition with the music department.
All Piedmont MAT music education candidates must maintain certain standards once accepted to the degree program and must expect to:
- Successfully complete a capstone exhibition.
- Complete a music education portfolio.
- Submit and have approved an application for graduation the semester before graduation.
- Earn an overall GPA of 3.0 in all graduate courses attempted.
Related Programs
Intrigued by a music education MAT degree? You might also be interested in one of these programs:
Meet our Faculty
Meet our talented faculty with both academic and professional experience in music and education.
Where do I start?
To begin your journey toward earning a Music Education MAT degree at Piedmont University, you can start by applying today! Or, schedule a campus visit and meet with admissions and financial aid advisors, as well as faculty members in music education.