Comments on: Should I or Shouldn’t I? Things to Think About for Graduate School http://musicedmajor.net/2009/07/14/grad-school/ A blog for college students of Music Education Thu, 02 Feb 2012 03:56:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: emilystumpfhttp://musicedmajor.net/2009/07/14/grad-school/comment-page-1/#comment-92 emilystumpf Thu, 17 Sep 2009 04:39:25 +0000 http://musicedmajor.net/?p=125#comment-92 Thank you! I am sorry I didn't respond earlier, I too have had a busy week :-) Your comments were very helpful and gives me better insight into what pursuing graduate work is like. Thanks again! Thank you! I am sorry I didn't respond earlier, I too have had a busy week :-) Your comments were very helpful and gives me better insight into what pursuing graduate work is like. Thanks again!

]]> By: emilystumpfhttp://musicedmajor.net/2009/07/14/grad-school/comment-page-1/#comment-74 emilystumpf Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:39:25 +0000 http://musicedmajor.net/?p=125#comment-74 Thank you! I am sorry I didn't respond earlier, I too have had a busy week :-) Your comments were very helpful and gives me better insight into what pursuing graduate work is like. Thanks again! Thank you! I am sorry I didn't respond earlier, I too have had a busy week :-) Your comments were very helpful and gives me better insight into what pursuing graduate work is like. Thanks again!

]]> By: Kelly Nelsonhttp://musicedmajor.net/2009/07/14/grad-school/comment-page-1/#comment-66 Kelly Nelson Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:55:23 +0000 http://musicedmajor.net/?p=125#comment-66 Tyler, your idea about hiring 1st year teachers makes sense but in my experience I have seen more jobs go to people with more education and experience. I wouldn't let that hold you back. However I am thankful I had experience in my field before going back to graduate school. I was better able to relate some of the concepts we talked about in some of my classes. Maybe teach a couple of years then go back for your master's? Tyler, your idea about hiring 1st year teachers makes sense but in my experience I have seen more jobs go to people with more education and experience. I wouldn't let that hold you back. However I am thankful I had experience in my field before going back to graduate school. I was better able to relate some of the concepts we talked about in some of my classes. Maybe teach a couple of years then go back for your master's?

]]> By: Kelly Nelsonhttp://musicedmajor.net/2009/07/14/grad-school/comment-page-1/#comment-65 Kelly Nelson Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:52:58 +0000 http://musicedmajor.net/?p=125#comment-65 Good point! I agree with both of you! Just keep in mind many districts will not recognize anything other than an education degree when awarding graduate level pay and/or credit hours (a teeny-weeny part of the reason I stuck with education). Good point! I agree with both of you! Just keep in mind many districts will not recognize anything other than an education degree when awarding graduate level pay and/or credit hours (a teeny-weeny part of the reason I stuck with education).

]]> By: Kelly Nelsonhttp://musicedmajor.net/2009/07/14/grad-school/comment-page-1/#comment-64 Kelly Nelson Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:42:38 +0000 http://musicedmajor.net/?p=125#comment-64 Emma- I honestly think that online vs. in-person is purely dependent on the needs, comfort level and learning style of the student. After experiencing my conducting class this summer, I feel that there would have been no way I could have mastered those skills in an online classroom. However, as a teacher, I totally love using technology to manage my students' learning. This is going to sound like such a cop-out, but perhaps a combination program might be the best way. Anyone else have any thoughts? Emma- I honestly think that online vs. in-person is purely dependent on the needs, comfort level and learning style of the student. After experiencing my conducting class this summer, I feel that there would have been no way I could have mastered those skills in an online classroom. However, as a teacher, I totally love using technology to manage my students' learning. This is going to sound like such a cop-out, but perhaps a combination program might be the best way. Anyone else have any thoughts?

]]> By: maclovesmusichttp://musicedmajor.net/2009/07/14/grad-school/comment-page-1/#comment-63 maclovesmusic Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:38:38 +0000 http://musicedmajor.net/?p=125#comment-63 This has been a crazy week what with the start of school. I will do my best to answer your questions, and if I don't have answers (or if you need more information), I'll ask others and get back to you! :-)<br><br>"do you have any tips for undergrads to make sure they are prepared for this kind of research?"<br>The only thing that comes to mind at this time is organization. I haven't done the research portion of my coursework yet. But I have had to work on my organization skills. I'll ask some classmates to see what their ideas are.<br>"Any tips on juggling the work load? Do you do anything different in terms of your approach to learning a new subject, class preparation, or study than you did for undergrad work and is this because it is a different kind of work or just better study/work skills that you have developed?"<br>Just be prepared to do lots and lots of studying, practice and preparation. Since I was going to school during the summer I couldn't have a job, since we were cramming a whole semester into six weeks. I studied about 2-4 hours a night, so this would almost average out to 2-3 hours per credit hour a week. This may vary with the program and with the courses you take each semester. I felt more confident with my study skills this time around. I think it's a combination of all the things you mentioned. I am using my skills in different ways, but in more concentrated topics. Does that make sense?<br>"What kinds of questions could I be asking my professors and advisers now about how to be prepared for graduate school to figure out what would be best with my interests and goals? Or what activities/experiences could I be pursuing that would possibly better prepare me for graduate work?"<br>I would think about what graduate degree you want to pursue and try to have some experience in that degree. If you are considering music education, try to get as much teaching experience as you can. Also contact the institution(s) that you are considering attending to see what they are looking for. See if you can audit a class on the graduate level (or even if you can take one for credit-- that's always a plus!) <br><br>I hope these comments are helpful! -Kelly Nelson This has been a crazy week what with the start of school. I will do my best to answer your questions, and if I don't have answers (or if you need more information), I'll ask others and get back to you! :-)

“do you have any tips for undergrads to make sure they are prepared for this kind of research?”
The only thing that comes to mind at this time is organization. I haven't done the research portion of my coursework yet. But I have had to work on my organization skills. I'll ask some classmates to see what their ideas are.
“Any tips on juggling the work load? Do you do anything different in terms of your approach to learning a new subject, class preparation, or study than you did for undergrad work and is this because it is a different kind of work or just better study/work skills that you have developed?”
Just be prepared to do lots and lots of studying, practice and preparation. Since I was going to school during the summer I couldn't have a job, since we were cramming a whole semester into six weeks. I studied about 2-4 hours a night, so this would almost average out to 2-3 hours per credit hour a week. This may vary with the program and with the courses you take each semester. I felt more confident with my study skills this time around. I think it's a combination of all the things you mentioned. I am using my skills in different ways, but in more concentrated topics. Does that make sense?
“What kinds of questions could I be asking my professors and advisers now about how to be prepared for graduate school to figure out what would be best with my interests and goals? Or what activities/experiences could I be pursuing that would possibly better prepare me for graduate work?”
I would think about what graduate degree you want to pursue and try to have some experience in that degree. If you are considering music education, try to get as much teaching experience as you can. Also contact the institution(s) that you are considering attending to see what they are looking for. See if you can audit a class on the graduate level (or even if you can take one for credit– that's always a plus!)

I hope these comments are helpful! -Kelly Nelson

]]> By: Tylerhttp://musicedmajor.net/2009/07/14/grad-school/comment-page-1/#comment-61 Tyler Wed, 09 Sep 2009 12:59:07 +0000 http://musicedmajor.net/?p=125#comment-61 Kelly,<br>Thank you for your insightful post. I am currently an undergrad senior music major at Grove City College so this post couldn't apply more! The main (and only) holdup I have about going directly for a masters has to do with applying to schools. I've heard, and would love to be corrected, that most school systems would rather hire a 1st year teacher (less pay) over a 1st year graduate student (more pay). Also by going directly into teaching you learn invaluable experience you cannot obtain listening to a lecture. Thoughts?<br><br>Thanks,<br>-Tyler Kelly,
Thank you for your insightful post. I am currently an undergrad senior music major at Grove City College so this post couldn't apply more! The main (and only) holdup I have about going directly for a masters has to do with applying to schools. I've heard, and would love to be corrected, that most school systems would rather hire a 1st year teacher (less pay) over a 1st year graduate student (more pay). Also by going directly into teaching you learn invaluable experience you cannot obtain listening to a lecture. Thoughts?

Thanks,
-Tyler

]]> By: emmalynneadrianhttp://musicedmajor.net/2009/07/14/grad-school/comment-page-1/#comment-57 emmalynneadrian Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:20:36 +0000 http://musicedmajor.net/?p=125#comment-57 I am a senior music education major facing all the questions posted in this article. These topics seem to be answered a million different ways depending on which source you seek for justification. My biggest question is regarding online masters programs. Do you believe that furthering your degree in education online is beneficial? I feel like so much of education is communication based. I learn so much from a discussion, presentation, or plain lecture that I'm not sure an online degree program could keep up with those experiences. On the other hand, online learning allows convenience and technology is no longer the future, it's the present. So maybe technology allows an online program to be just as beneficial as any other class. Do you have any thoughts on utilizing the development of technology verses the old school pedagogical techniques? I am a senior music education major facing all the questions posted in this article. These topics seem to be answered a million different ways depending on which source you seek for justification. My biggest question is regarding online masters programs. Do you believe that furthering your degree in education online is beneficial? I feel like so much of education is communication based. I learn so much from a discussion, presentation, or plain lecture that I'm not sure an online degree program could keep up with those experiences. On the other hand, online learning allows convenience and technology is no longer the future, it's the present. So maybe technology allows an online program to be just as beneficial as any other class. Do you have any thoughts on utilizing the development of technology verses the old school pedagogical techniques?

]]> By: Stephanie Cramerhttp://musicedmajor.net/2009/07/14/grad-school/comment-page-1/#comment-53 Stephanie Cramer Tue, 08 Sep 2009 17:36:29 +0000 http://musicedmajor.net/?p=125#comment-53 This article is really interesting! I am currently a Junior Music Ed. major and have been thinking about grad school a lot lately. Primarily, I have been trying to decide whether to go to grad school right after I graduate or to start teaching. Although I still have not made my decision, this article has helped me realize the pros and cons of each road I could take.<br><br>Thanks for a great artice!<br>Stephanie This article is really interesting! I am currently a Junior Music Ed. major and have been thinking about grad school a lot lately. Primarily, I have been trying to decide whether to go to grad school right after I graduate or to start teaching. Although I still have not made my decision, this article has helped me realize the pros and cons of each road I could take.

Thanks for a great artice!
Stephanie

]]> By: emilystumpfhttp://musicedmajor.net/2009/07/14/grad-school/comment-page-1/#comment-50 emilystumpf Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:06:29 +0000 http://musicedmajor.net/?p=125#comment-50 I really appreciated this article. I am currently a Junior in college and have always had the long term goal of going on to graduate school (for performance) but am just now being faced with the actual decision making. I really appreciated the questions posed and the answers from personal experience.<br><br>I do have some questions along the lines of what are the differences between a graduate and an undergraduate degree program. You mention that you are expected to take more responsibility and know how to do research etc. My questions are, do you have any tips for undergrads to make sure they are prepared for this kind of research? Any tips on juggling the work load? Do you do anything different in terms of your approach to learning a new subject, class preparation, or study than you did for undergrad work and is this because it is a different kind of work or just better study/work skills that you have developed? What kinds of questions could I be asking my professors and advisers now about how to be prepared for graduate school to figure out what would be best with my interests and goals? Or what activities/experiences could I be pursuing that would possibly better prepare me for graduate work?<br><br>Thank you for the insightful article! It has given me some things to really think about as I consider graduate programs!<br><br>Emily Stumpf I really appreciated this article. I am currently a Junior in college and have always had the long term goal of going on to graduate school (for performance) but am just now being faced with the actual decision making. I really appreciated the questions posed and the answers from personal experience.

I do have some questions along the lines of what are the differences between a graduate and an undergraduate degree program. You mention that you are expected to take more responsibility and know how to do research etc. My questions are, do you have any tips for undergrads to make sure they are prepared for this kind of research? Any tips on juggling the work load? Do you do anything different in terms of your approach to learning a new subject, class preparation, or study than you did for undergrad work and is this because it is a different kind of work or just better study/work skills that you have developed? What kinds of questions could I be asking my professors and advisers now about how to be prepared for graduate school to figure out what would be best with my interests and goals? Or what activities/experiences could I be pursuing that would possibly better prepare me for graduate work?

Thank you for the insightful article! It has given me some things to really think about as I consider graduate programs!

Emily Stumpf

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