Date

5-20-2026

Degree

Master of Arts in Music Education (MA)

Chair

Becky Morrison

Keywords

Music, Music Education, Education, Special Education, Curriculum, Adapted, Adaptive, Special Needs, Diversity, Disability, Exceptionality, Biblical

Disciplines

Music | Special Education and Teaching

Abstract

Music educators are required to work with students of all levels and abilities. Christian music educators understand that all students are created by God fearfully and wonderfully (Psalm 139:14, English Standard Version) and that humanity is Christ’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). Christians in education must perceive all students as the workmanship of Christ and work to provide them with fidelity and excellence in education. Music education has proven to be a critical method for developing the minds of learners with exceptionalities; therefore, music educators must be adequately prepared to educate students with diverse exceptionalities through accommodations that improve cognitive abilities and academic skills. Music education, music therapy, and special education can be found as separate degree programs in undergraduate schools, and the courses are not often integrated. Teachers who study special areas, like music, are often required in their careers to work with students with disabilities or exceptionalities, and yet receive little training on how to use special education techniques in their special content area. The purpose of this applied curriculum project is to develop a method sufficient to teach pre-service music educators to adequately educate students with diverse needs in music methods within an adapted or integrated classroom setting. The curriculum presented in this study will benefit higher education institutions that offer degrees to students seeking careers in music education. The curriculum presented in this study will also benefit undergraduate music education students, as it links music and special education by providing adapted techniques for teaching music.

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