Program Learning Outcomes

Program Notes  

The Aaron Copland School of Music (ACSM) was accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music in July of 2021. All programs in ACSM have been reviewed according to the NASM national standards in music. All programs have demonstrated alignment and compliance with the standards.  

ACSM Degree and Certificate Programs  

Undergraduate  

  • Bachelor of Arts in Music (General, Music Composition, Music History, Music Theory)  

Program Learning Outcomes:  

Students completing the Music BA program will:  

  1. Demonstrate fluency in the musical styles of Western art music (mainly from the common-practice period) through training in harmony, counterpoint, keyboard harmony, score reading, sight singing, and dictation. 
  2. Demonstrate proficiency in appropriate repertoire of music on their main instrument (or voice) through lessons and performance in small ensembles.
  3. Collaborative performance skills through participation in ensembles both large (orchestra, choirs, wind ensemble) and small (chamber music, operatic and stage works, etc.); 
  4. Thorough understanding of the structure, language, evolution, and history of music, and critical proficiency in writing about music 
  5. [For those who complete a track in an area other than general music] acquire expertise in more advanced work in composition, theory, or musicology.  
  • Bachelor of Music in Music Education  

Program Learning Outcomes:  

Upon completion of the BMus in Music Education degree, students will demonstrate:  

  1. Strong musicianship skills, including: 
  2. Vocal and/or multi-instrumental proficiency (according to their main track of studies)
  3. Understanding of music theory, harmony, form and stylistic context c. 
  4. Advanced ear training, sight-singing, dictation and harmonic recognition d. 
  5. Conducting skills in choral and/or instrumental settings
  6. Effective educational practice and reflective teaching abilities, including:
  7. Understanding of cognitive, socio-emotional and musical development in students aged pre-k through 12th grade 
  8. Identification/selection/use of developmentally appropriate pedagogical strategies and materials for facilitating learning in pre-k to 12 music settings 
  9. Designing and assessing developmentally appropriate and comprehensive musical curricula for students in pre-k to 12 music settings 
  10. Utilizing effective classroom management strategies to develop and maintain respectful, professional and empathetic communication with students. 
  11. Reflecting on teaching practices, considering individual and school challenges, and valuing diversity, equity and social justice, with a constructive, problem-solving, collaborative disposition 
  12. Appropriate professional teaching dispositions, which include
  13. Demonstrating an understanding of diverse musical traditions and incorporation of multicultural perspectives in music education.
  14. Understanding of pre-k to 12 public school administrative structure and functioning 
  15. Commitment to students’ musical learning and growth, through the development of a student-centered approach, high expectations and encouragement, and through the establishment of a safe classroom environment. 
  16. Commitment to integrity, ethical behavior, honesty and respect in all interactions  Developing a professional network (e.g., participation in NYSSMA and NAfME) and understanding of the field of music education at large.  
  • Bachelor of Music in Classical Performance (Guitar, Keyboard, Orchestral Inst, Percussion, Voice)  

 

Program Learning Outcomes:  

  1. Musical and technical command of the student’s instrument or voice, and a rich understanding of the repertoire of that instrument, past and present; 
  2. Demonstrate fluency in the musical styles of Western art music (mainly from the common-practice period) through training in harmony, counterpoint, keyboard harmony, score reading, sight singing, and dictation 
  3. Collaborative performance skills through participation in ensembles both large (orchestra, choirs, wind ensemble) and small (chamber music, operatic and stage works, etc.); 
  4. Thorough understanding of the structure, language, evolution, and history of music, and critical proficiency in writing about music; 
  5. Exposure to music of non-Western traditions and an appreciation for the role of music in those cultures.  

Graduate  

  • Advanced Certificate in Music and Production (Post-Baccalaureate)  

 Program Learning Outcomes:  

  1. Use the tools of music production including microphones, signal processors, mixing consoles, sequencers and Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) to effectively engineer and produce music across a broad range of acoustic and electronic based genres.
  2. Demonstrate proficiency in content creation, including songwriting, film scoring, techniques of recording, production and post-production.
  3.  Assess and critique a wide-range of relevant examples of existing music and audio material.
  • Advanced Certificate in Music Education (Post-Baccalaureate)  

Program Learning Outcomes:  

  1. Advanced Certificate in Music Education (ACME) graduates demonstrate proficient musicianship skills on primary and secondary instruments, as well as piano and/or guitar. 
  2. ACME graduates demonstrate an understanding of the historical and philosophical perspectives of music education and the aesthetic/paraxial music education frames of mind. 
  3. ACME graduates critically reflect and engage with current and past practices in the field of music education, through a lens of culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogy. 
  4. ACME graduates are committed to a) building inclusive communities that nurture and challenge all learners; b) demonstrating professionalism, scholarship, efficacy, evidence-based practice and reflection; and c) valuing diversity, democracy, and social justice. These are the principles of our School of Education commitment to Equity, Excellence, and Ethics. 
  5. ACME graduates demonstrate effective educational practice and reflective teaching abilities, including: 
  6. Understanding of cognitive, socio-emotional and musical development in students aged pre-k through 12th grade 
  7. Identification/selection/use of developmentally appropriate pedagogical strategies and materials for facilitating learning in pre-k to 12 music settings 
  8. Designing and assessing developmentally appropriate and comprehensive musical curricula for students in pre-k to 12 music settings 
  9. Utilizing effective classroom management strategies to develop and maintain respectful, professional and empathetic communication with students. 
  • Advanced Certificate in Performance (Post-Baccalaureate)  

Program Learning Outcomes:  

  1. Improved musical and technical command of the student’s instrument or voice, and a rich understanding of the repertoire of that instrument, past and present; 
  2. Improved collaborative performance skills through participation in ensembles both large (orchestra, choirs, wind ensemble) and small (chamber music, operatic and stage works, etc.)  
  • Master of Science in Music Education  

 Program Learning Outcomes:  

Graduates of the MSEd in Music Education at Queens College will have fluency with the following dispositions, competencies, and creativities:  

  1. MSEd graduates have an in-depth knowledge of the historical and philosophical perspectives of music education and the aesthetic/praxial music education frames of mind. 
  2. MSEd graduates critically reflect and engage with current and past practices in the field of music education, through a lens of culturally responsive and sustaining pedagogy. 
  3. MSEd graduates are committed to a) building inclusive communities that nurture and challenge all learners; b) demonstrating professionalism, scholarship, efficacy, evidence-based practice and reflection; and c) valuing diversity, democracy, and social justice. These are the principles of our School of Education commitment to Equity, Excellence, and Ethics. 
  4. MSEd graduates embody exemplary teaching qualities and dispositions. 
  5. MSEd graduates develop and design comprehensive curriculum materials to support a community of diverse learners. 
  6. MSEd graduates demonstrate fluency with research techniques in music education, including the appropriate use of qualitative and quantitative strategies to engage in action research to continuously improve their teaching practice. 
  7. MSEd graduates will communicate a breadth of musical understandings to support their teaching praxis, including knowledge of music history, music and production, musical performance, and advanced conducting skills.  
  • Master of Music in Classical Performance (Keyboard, Orchestral Inst, Voice)  

Program Learning Outcomes:  

  1. Excellent musical and technical command of the student’s instrument or voice, and a rich understanding of the repertoire of that instrument, past and present; 
  2. Excellent collaborative performance skills through participation in ensembles both large (orchestra, choirs, wind ensemble) and small (chamber music, operatic and stage works, etc.) 
  3. Develop stylistically appropriate performance practice in a range of eras of Western art music. 
  4. Demonstrate competency in music theory, analysis, music history, and ear training.  
  • Master of Music in Jazz Studies (Composition, Performance)  

 Program Learning Outcomes:  

  1. Excellent musical and technical command of the student’s instrument or voice, and a rich understanding of the repertoire of that instrument, past and present; 
  2. Excellent collaborative performance skills through participation in ensembles; 
  3. Develop techniques of improvisation, jazz composition, and arranging for various ensembles; 
  4. Demonstrate competency in jazz theory, harmony and analysis; jazz history; and ear training.  
  • Advanced Diploma in Performance (Post-Master’s)  

Program Learning Outcomes:  

  1. Excellent musical and technical command of the student’s instrument or voice, and a rich understanding of the repertoire of that instrument, past and present; 
  2. Excellent collaborative performance skills through participation in ensembles both large (orchestra, choirs, wind ensemble) and small (chamber music, operatic and stage works, etc.)  
  • Professional Studies Certificate in Performance (Post-Master’s)  

Program Learning Outcomes: 

  1. Excellent musical and technical command of the student’s instrument or voice, and a rich understanding of the repertoire of that instrument, past and present; 
  2. Excellent collaborative performance skills through participation in ensembles both large (orchestra, choirs, wind ensemble) and small (chamber music, operatic and stage works, etc.)  
  • Master of Arts in Musicology  

Program Learning Outcomes:  

  1. Demonstrate mastery of core competencies in music theory, music history, ear training, and basic translation within a foreign language relevant to their scholarly interests. 
  2. Develop fluency with a variety of recent scholarly approaches and methodologies in musicology and music theory. 
  3. Demonstrate research skills and capacity for independent scholarly work by developing and completing a masters’ thesis in consultation with an advisor. This project involves original research and results in approx. 100pp of text, including bibliographic citations and scholarly apparatus.  

 

  • Master of Arts in Music Theory  

 Program Learning Outcomes:  

  1. Demonstrate mastery of core competencies in music theory, music history, ear training, and basic translation within a foreign language relevant to their scholarly interests. 
  2. Develop fluency with a variety of recent scholarly approaches and methodologies in musicology and music theory. 
  3. Demonstrate research skills and capacity for independent scholarly work by developing and completing a masters’ thesis in consultation with an advisor. This project involves original research and results in approx. 100pp of text, including bibliographic citations and scholarly apparatus.  
  • Master of Music in Composition  

Program Learning Outcomes:  

  1. Demonstrate fluency in counterpoint, tonal analysis and post-tonal analytic methods. 
  2. Demonstrate familiarity with a rich repertoire of Western art music, particularly from post-1900. 
  3. Create a varied portfolio of compositions for public performance 
  4. Improved fluency in musical composition and expanded languages of musical expression  
  • Master of Music in Conducting (Choral, Instrumental, Wind)  

Program Learning Outcomes:  

  1. Excellent musical and technical command of conducting techniques 
  2. A rich understanding of ensemble repertoire past and present (including orchestral, wind and choral); 
  3. Excellent leadership skills through participation in appropriate ensembles; 
  4. Develop stylistically appropriate performance practice in a range of eras of Western art music. 
  5. Demonstrate competency in music theory, analysis, music history, and ear training.