UTB-TSC Adds New Master’s Program

By Victoria Manning, The Brownsville Herald, Texas

Jan. 20–UTB-TSC will offer its first-ever master’s degree in music education beginning in the fall.

The university received approval last month from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to begin offering the new degree program in August 2007.

Michael Quantz, guitar and guitar ensemble professor at the university, said that the he does not know how many students might enroll in the program, but believes the turnout will be considerable.

“We have a strong interest in the program and it will be of high value for music educators in the Brownsville area and the Valley in general from elementary music teachers to choral and band directors,” Quantz said.

There are 16 students enrolled in the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS) with a concentration in music, and many might choose to study music education instead, he said.

Charles Lackey, dean of graduate studies, believes that of those 16 enrolled in the MAIS, most of them will convert to music education.

“Many of the classes that will be required for the Master of Music Education are already being offered through the MAIS, so many of these students will transfer to the new degree,” Lackey said in a prepared statement.

The university first offered the bachelor of music degree in 1997, which enrolled 26 students. Today, more than 135 students are enrolled and 38 degrees have been awarded since its inception.

Lackey said that the implementation of the music education program stemmed from local inquiries.

“We had many requests from Brownsville Independent School District teachers and teachers in other school districts over the past two years about the degrees,” Lackey said.

“The music faculty is saying that school district teachers have indicated a need for more than a bachelor’s degree,” Lackey said.

“We are excited about the program and we are excited about the potential for the community.”

vmanning@brownsvilleherald.com

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Brownsville Herald, Texas

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