Master of Music, Music Education Specialization, Kodály Option

Master of Music, Music Education Specialization, Kodály Option

The Master of Music, Music Education Specialization, Kodály Option is designed for elementary classroom music teachers, independent music instructors, and secondary music teachers interested in developing their teaching, conducting, musicianship, and depth of knowledge about music education.

A unique aspect of the program is that it enables students to earn national certification in Kodály music teaching through CSU’s Colorado Kodály Institute while earning a master's degree. The Colorado Kodály Institute (CKI) is one of the select programs endorsed by the Organization of American Kodály Educators. CKI faculty are among the top experts in the United States, and the University Center for the Arts location, at the foothills of the Rockies, provides an inspiring setting for personal growth.

Program-level Learning Objectives

  • Develop the skill, intellect, and musicianship necessary among those who wish to become the next generation of leaders in the field of Music Education.
  • Develop a philosophical and pedagogical approach to utilize in all educational settings, and competency in techniques that embody the approach.
  • Develop foundational skills in advocacy and leadership for school settings.
  • Develop a method of score analysis that fosters success of learners in all educational settings.
  • Develop a concept-based collection of pedagogical repertoires that is fully analyzed, researched both musically and culturally, and organized into a practical, retrievable curriculum.
  • Develop the skills necessary to lead and conduct ensembles within K-12 schools with best-practice rehearsal strategies and methodology, including repertoire of varying difficulty levels, spanning multiple genres and time periods.
  • Integrate best-practice rehearsal strategies with sound conducting technique into school music classrooms and/or community/professional ensembles.

Summer-only Residency

The Master of Music, Music Education Specialization, Kodály Option is designed to be completed over a time span of three summers with a minimum of 30 total credits (the degree is officially conferred at the end of the fall semester following the term in which all course work has been completed), with several online and/or evening courses required to be taken during the school year. Students have the option, therefore, of living remotely during the school year and traveling to Fort Collins for the core summer coursework.

The majority of participants in this degree program teach either part or full-time during the school year, gaining relevant experience while pursuing the graduate degree. As a result, they are continually assimilating real-world teaching experiences into their academic coursework.

Applicants are expected to be State-Licensed Music Teachers* and demonstrate excellent musicianship and interpersonal skills. *Exceptions may be made by the Music Education area on a case-by-case basis.

Colorado Kodály Institute (CKI)

CKI is a dynamic training center for elementary classroom music teachers, independent music instructors, and secondary music teachers interested in taking their teaching, conducting, musicianship, and depth of knowledge about music education to new heights. Students from across the U.S., Mexico, Korea, Sweden, and Saudi Arabia are involved in the annual summer seminar.

 

Two Training Programs:

Master of Music, Music Education Specialization, Kodály Option

  • Online graduate degree program with summer residencies
  • Gain National Certification in Kodály music teaching while earning your Master's degree
  • Option for online courses during the school year
  • Assimilate your real-world teaching experience and your academic coursework
  • One of the few Master's programs in the United States centered on Classroom Music Teaching

Kodály Music Teaching Certification

  • Earn National Certification in Kodály music teaching
  • Three levels of coursework are required for Certification
  • Endorsed by the Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE)
  • Study with national experts in conducting, choir, pedagogy, and solfege
  • Brand new University Center for the Arts in the foothills of the Rockies

Sample Curriculum

  • Music Pedagogy and Folksong Literature
  • Folksong Analysis, Retrieval, and Research
  • Solfège/Musicianship
  • Conducting
  • Choir
  • Special Topics

Additional Information

Contact

Bonnie Jacobi

  • Associate Professor of Music
  • Director of Colorado Kodály Institute

Bonnie.Jacobi@colostate.edu

Summer Seminar Dates:
July 12-26, 2025

All levels will start on Saturday, July 12.

Tuition and Registration:

  • Degree rate for 2024 (2025 TBA): $3,015 (5 credits: $603/credit)
  • Non-credit Kodály Certification rate for 2024 (2025 TBA): $1930

Note: Full-time, out-of-state students pay a separate tuition rate. The tuition prices listed above do not include textbooks or materials.

 

Resources

Testimonials from current and recent graduates

This program has truly transformed who I am as a teacher, musician, and human. It has altered the way I think about music and interact with it. I have also appreciated having the opportunity to return to the student role after being in teacher mode for the past 9 years. I am very appreciative to have had such intelligent and eloquently spoken role models to look up to. I hope I can carry myself with the same deportment that has been demonstrated for me. I certainly feel like a better, more confident, and capable teacher. – Stacey Sailors, M.M. in Music Education-Kodaly Emphasis, Fall 2023; Stacey is from Minatare, Nebraska

The instructors are exemplary in their knowledge as well as their fair and consistent feedback. The curriculum is informative and useful, consistently relevant to our teaching positions. You will also form bonds with your fellow educators that will last a lifetime. I cannot recommend this program enough! – Leah Mathe, M.M. in Music Education-Kodaly Emphasis, Fall 2023; Leah is from Las Cruces, New Mexico