General Information
Each applicant to the Ph.D. in Music Education program must prepare and submit:

1. Letter of Intent
2. Video Recording of Teaching
3. Critical Review of a Published Research Study
   

Additionally, each applicant must have at least three years of successful teaching experience in a formal educational setting as a fulltime teacher or the equivalent.

Procedures for completing and submitting these three application items are explained in detail.  Following receipt of all application materials by the Associate Dean of the School of Music, a committee of the Music Education faculty will complete an evaluation of the applicant’s file.  Applicants whose materials are successfully evaluated will be invited for an on-campus interview with the Music Education Faculty.

Submitting the Ph.D. Letter of Intent
An applicant to the Ph.D. in Music Education program must submit a Letter of Intent.  The letter will be evaluated by a committee of the Music Education faculty to determine the presence of and potential for excellence in scholarship, textual content and congruity, and basic scholarly writing skills.(1)  Other elements addressed in the evaluation are the applicant’s goals, objectives, and career aspirations as related to the objectives and structures of the Ph.D. degree program.  The Letter of Intent is expected to address the following areas as minimal content requirements.

1. A brief biographical sketch, particularly relating to foundations in music education.  Included should be a description of an applicant’s qualifications for meeting the admissions requirement of three years of successful teaching experience in a formal educational setting as a full-time teacher or the equivalent.
2. Commitment to music and music education as a profession.
3. Career aspirations, goals, and objectives.
4. Dedication to the pursuit of learning in the areas of research, scholarship, musicianship, and educational leadership in professional practice, particularly in colleges and universities.
5. Special experiences, interests, skills, and expertise in any of the following areas:  (a) the historical, pedagogical, philosophical, psychological, and sociological foundations of music in education; (b) the theoretical, historical, and applied foundations of the musical arts; and (c) research and scholarship in music and education.

Submitting the Video Recording of Teaching
An applicant to the Ph.D. in Music Education program must demonstrate teaching abilities through the submission of a VHS or DVD recording of his or her teaching in a music classroom or rehearsal setting.  A video recording of a formally presented music performance is not acceptable.  The recording must be taken from the students’ perspectives with the camera facing the teacher, and must include at least 30 minutes of teaching.  The recording will be evaluated by a committee of the Music Education faculty to determine the presence of excellence and effectiveness in music teaching.

Submitting the Critical Review of Published Research Study
An applicant to the Ph.D. in Music Education program must submit a Critical Review of a published research study as part of admissions requirements.  Analyzing and applying music education research are fundamental to completing the Ph.D. Degree in Music Education.  The Critical Review of a published research study will be evaluated by a committee of Music Education faculty to determine the applicant’s level of writing skills, and abilities to critically analyze, review, and apply music education research.  Please select one of the research studies listed below for this review.

Cassidy, J.W., & Sims, W.L. (1991).  Effects of special education labels on peers’ and adults’ evaluations of a handicapped youth choir.  Journal of Research in Music Education, 39, 23-34.

Cofer, R.S. (1998).  Effects of conducting-gesture instruction on seventh-grade band students’ performance response to conducting emblems.  Journal of Research in Music Education, 46, 360-373.

Geringer, J.M., & Worthy, M.D. (1999).  Effects of tone-quality changes on intonation and tone-quality ratings of high school and college instrumentalists.  Journal of Research in Music Education, 47, 135-149.

Johnson, C.M., & Darrow, A. (1997).  The effect of positive models of inclusion on band students’ attitudinal statements regarding the integration of students with disabilities.  Journal of Research in Music Education, 45, 173-184.

According to Gonzo (2), a Critical Review is a restatement of the salient features of a research study in summary form and an evaluation of the merits of the study in light of accepted research practices.  An applicant’s Critical Review should include the following information:

1. Title
2. Purpose of and introduction to the research study
3. Subjects and procedures
4. Results and conclusions
5. Critique and application of the research study
   

(1)The Letter of Intent should conform to one of the following style manuals:  (a) Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th edition), or (b) A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, theses, and Dissertations (6th edition) by K.L. Turabian.

(2)Gonzo, C. L. (1971).  On writing a critical review.  Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, 28, 14-22.

All School of Music materials should be sent to:

Dr. William P. Carroll, Associate Dean
UNCG School of Music
P.O. Box 26170
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170