Master of Music Education (MME)

I chose to pursue a master of music education at BJU because I loved music and I loved teaching. What I discovered along the way is that I really loved working with people, and that I had an entrepreneurial spirit a mile wide! Going beyond an undergraduate degree into a master’s program stretched me, grew me, and focused me on what I loved, all the while helping me develop the skills I needed in order to do the job the Lord would have for me.

When I began my masters degree, I thought I was preparing to teach in a traditional classroom; but the Lord had another path in mind for me—a path that He began directing me towards even as I was pursuing my graduate degree.

I am eternally grateful for the BJU faculty members who impacted my life so profoundly—not just academically, but also spiritually. I received excellent academic training in my master’s program. More importantly, I reap the benefits still today from having godly professors who challenged me and encouraged me all along the way, and who still support and cheer me on.

After having been involved in music education for fifteen years, I sensed the need to sharpen my skills and training in various areas: arranging music for the classroom, gaining a broader understanding of the history of teaching music, training music students to develop a Christian worldview in their music performance, and developing and implementing a comprehensive music program in Christian schools.

What I found in BJU’s MME program was a thorough plan to prepare the Christian Music Educator to be a leader in this field of ministry; in fact, most of the courses being offered in the MME Program were many of the specific areas in which I desired to improve my training.

The master of music education degree has proved to be a very rewarding experience. I had never really considered graduate school, but when I finished my bachelor’s degree in music education, the Lord clearly paved the way for me to begin graduate studies at BJU. I can honestly say that I have loved every one of my classes! Now that I am a music teacher, my coursework has been so much richer because I can immediately apply the things I’ve been learning in a teaching context.

I am also thankful for the flexibility of the online classes because I can work on schoolwork as my schedule allows. Even though I live several hundred miles away from campus, I still feel very connected to my teachers and classmates as we interact through discussion boards and emails. I have found that all my teachers, whether in the classroom or online, have been genuinely concerned with my success, not only in their classes, but in my own teaching experience.