Building Community
Our programs are built on community and collaboration. You'll learn, grow and make music alongside faculty and your fellow students.
Graduate Programs in Music Education
University of St. Thomas Graduate Programs in Music Education are made for teachers by teachers to serve professional music educators by combining theoretical and applied study at a graduate level.
Graduate Programs in Music Education
The University of St. Thomas’ Graduate Programs in Music Education are designed to raise the standard of music teaching in the United States. These programs are designed for teachers by teachers in order to serve professional music educators who wish to strengthen their classroom teaching effectiveness by combining theoretical and applied study at a graduate level. Internationally recognized educators and musicians – many of whom teach in elementary and secondary schools – serve as faculty for our programs.
Our work encourages a continual process of music education reform. We seek to develop music educators into leaders and catalysts for change through collaborative educational programs and research that responds to the complex learning needs of individuals and organizations.
Auditing options are available, please contact music@stthomas.edu for more information.
Quick Links
Summer Tuition and Billing
Summer tuition and fee charges begin posting to student accounts in mid-May. The first summer e-bill will be generated in late May, and the first payment due date will be mid-June. For questions about billing, please contact the Business Office at (651) 962-6600 or BusOffice@stthomas.edu.
Contact
Graduate Music
Office: Brady Education Center 107
Email
music@stthomas.edu
Phone Number
(651) 962-5870
Degree Options
Earn your master's degree or doctorate through Graduate Programs in Music Education. Our distinctive degree programs combine theory and practice. You'll hone your musical artistry, teaching style and research skills through curated courses taught by nationally recognized practitioners. Designed for teachers by teachers, our offerings include:
Certificate and Non-Degree Programs
Our certificate and non-degree programs are focused on equipping you with a diverse array of skills and knowledge to keep up with changes in the field of music education. They are designed with industry-recognized standards and continuing education requirements in mind.
Find Your Rhythm
Jane Frazee Distinguished Scholar-Artist Series
Distinguished figures in music and arts education share their work at this annual seminar.
Speaker: Dr. Darrin Thornton
Saturday, July 19, 2025, 1:00–4:30 p.m.
Summer Housing
We have a place for you! Live on campus when you join us for summer classes. No commute, no worries. On-campus housing is available for students who complete a housing request form in advance.
Life as a Student
Our programs are designed for working music teachers who wish to pursue graduate study without interrupting their professional lives. All courses required for the degree are available during the summer term in an interlocking arrangement of day and evening courses.
Faculty
Dr. Matthew George
Dr. George holds a DMA degree in conducting from the University of North Texas, a MM degree in music education from Southern Methodist University, and a BM degree in music education and trumpet performance from Ithaca College. He is Professor of Music and the Director of Bands and Orchestra at St. Thomas.
Read Dr. George's Full Bio
Dr. Shersten Johnson
Dr. Johnson received her PhD in Music Theory from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a doctoral minor in Composition, a MM in Composition from California State University-Northridge and a BA in Music from Augsburg College, where her emphasis was in flute performance.
Dr. Bruce Gleason
Stemming from a career that has spanned all levels of instrumental and vocal music instruction, kindergarten through graduate school, Bruce Gleason teaches and advises students within Graduate Programs in Music Education.
Career Outcomes
Phebe Mingui Yeo '13
From the class of 2013, Phoebe earned her M.A. with a concentration in piano pedagogy. She's a piano instructor and accompanist and owns a piano studio in Singapore.
Adrian Davis '17
In 2013, Adrian assumed the duties and responsibilities of establishing a music department at Roosevelt High School. He was a quarterfinalist for Grammy Music Educator of the Year in 2014 and 2016 and was featured on MPR in January 2014 for excellence in music education.
Dr. Charles Weise '03, '19
A dual alum (B.A.03' and EdD '19) Chuck teaches at South View Middle School in Edina, MN and conducts the Minnesota Junior Winds Symphonic Wind Ensemble.
Nicole Thietje '20
"Some of my favorite moments and memories were learning from my fellow students, whether while they were conducting an ensemble or presenting on a topic in class. I loved learning from them as educators and as people."
Elizabeth Camozzi '12
Liz has taught K-8 music at HOPE Academy and Noble Academy in Minnesota. HOPE Academy served as a beginning for Liz's teaching experience where she was a Hmong-English bilingual teacher and learned conversational Hmong for the children's comfort.
Graduate Student Handbook and Course Catalog
The CAS Graduate Student Handbook and Course Catalog outlines requirements and policies for students in our graduate programs and compiles information on all of the college's graduate courses. Any issues not mentioned in this handbook are governed by general University of St. Thomas Graduate Policies.