The Music Education Program philosophy is that ALL children and adolescents should be provided musical experiences leading to appreciation for creation and performance, understanding of the role of music in daily living, and opportunity to develop musical skills and knowledge. To implement this philosophy, a body of music knowledge, skills, practices, and insights must be developed; each student to some extent must become a performer, listener, historian, composer, theorist, and teacher. The National Standards for Music provide a framework for the processes and outcomes of music education. Comprehensive Musicianship frames the organization of the content of music (spiral curriculum of concepts related to essential elements) and the roles of music making: performer, historian, composer, and theorist. Digital technologies are used in all music education courses as means to develop the musician-teacher.

The Ph.D. in Music Education traditional program provides students with focused study of music education appropriate to an advanced graduate level. The program develops advanced skills and knowledge of music content and music education specialization with supporting study of selected topics including evaluation, technology, and research with an emphasis upon research and scholarship. The Ph.D. in Music Education program provides for advanced training in music education and culminates with a dissertation in which students conduct a comprehensive scholarly examination of a selected topic in music education.