Master of Music

at Pittsburg State University USA

The Department of Communication offers a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Education, and Master of Arts degrees within a collaborative and collegial environment. Our top-ranked faculty are highly active in their professions and emphasize the importance of fusing theory with applied skill. We have more than 250 majors across the five emphasis areas of human communication, media production, multimedia journalism, strategic communication, and theatre. The department stresses an integrated and active approach to learning. Please explore our website and let us know if you have any questions.

Strategic Communication - Emphasis
Strategic communication involves the applied research, creative development, and planned distribution of informational and persuasive communication messages across a wide variety of channels including: television, radio, print and digital journalism, mobile and social media platforms. Strategic communicators often work on behalf of public and private corporations and non-profit organizations, regionally and globally. Specialized career opportunities are available in many sectors such as: sports and entertainment, travel and tourism, health and wellness, policy and public affairs.

Our geography students acquire superior skills in critical thinking and analysis, dynamic communication, computer usage, and analysis in a number of software areas. We strive to keep students on the cutting edge of technology. These technological skills, critical thinking skills, and the overall applied nature of a geography education provide students with abilities that are in demand at public and private agencies. Students also gain the expert knowledge and training they need to pursue admission to graduate programs, if that is part of their career plan.

Geography programs are part of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences department. The programs provide high-quality instruction to students in ways that emphasize active learning, problem solving, and critical thinking through transformative experiences.

Pittsburg State University’s Department of History, Philosophy, and Social Sciences consists of those specialties that have emerged as so desirable in the 21st century labor force. Students use the tools from Geography, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Criminal Justice, Sociology and Social Work programs and coursework to examine issues and to find sustainable solutions to complex problems affecting individuals, families, and society.

The mission of the History, Philosophy, and Social Sciences department’s programs is to provide high quality instruction to students in ways that emphasize active learning, problem solving, and critical thinking through transformative experiences. Through our efforts, we aim to increase everyone’s awareness of how the ethnic, cultural, and other forms of diversity affect society. We invite you to visit the individual program areas to learn more about each field of study.

Diversity and Inclusion: We are committed to collaboration, respect, understanding for all students, staff, and faculty. The programs of History, Philosophy, and Social Sciences department at Pittsburg State University embraces a commitment to diversity as a community of individuals and programs which seek to reduce prejudice, disparities, discrimination and build a supportive environment for all.  

This is an interdisciplinary liberal arts degree with a foundation in social science inquiry. With an emphasis on law and the social sciences, this unique contemporary degree represents the current state-of-the-art setting for studying justice and provides a comprehensive degree. Students develop an understanding of the nature of justice and analyze controversial justice issues through critical inquiry and social science investigation. While primary focus is placed on theories of justice, legal studies, social and economic justice, students may elect a Criminal Justice emphasis that will allow them to pursue their interests in law enforcement, corrections, and other legal careers.

Social studies programs are part of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences department. The programs provide high-quality instruction to students in ways that emphasize active learning, problem solving, and critical thinking through transformative experiences.

Criminal Justice - Emphasis
The Criminal Justice emphasis allows students who are more interested in law enforcement, corrections, and other law related careers to pursue their interests within the Criminal Justice major. Our Criminal Justice emphasis gives students a substantive base of criminal justice experience such as interviewing and interrogation while building on critical thinking skills, the ability to handle statistical data, and student understanding of the broader meanings and practice of justice. This emphasis is not designed to be the equivalent of police academy training, rather it will allow students whose career interests are oriented toward law related careers to pursue their goal within a broad liberal arts approach to justice.

The Department of Technology and Workforce Learning offers a Master of Science degree with a major in Technology. Within the program, students may choose to have no emphasis or may select from nine emphasis areas. This program provides advanced instruction in technical, scientific, managerial and supervisory areas for those working in technical and management positions in business and industry. The program consists of 30-33 credit hours.

The Department of Art at Pittsburg State University provides students who have an interest in art with a strong foundation in creative critical thinking and design. We offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree with four emphasis areas: 2D Studio Art, 3D Studio Art, Illustration and Visual Storytelling, and Art Education. The BFA degree prepares students for a multitude of professional careers in studio, applied arts, and art education, and is also considered fundamental preparation for graduate degrees in the studio arts and art history.

The Department of Art faculty members are all active exhibiting artists and/or research scholars in their own respective art fields. Faculty provide students with insight and guidance as they prepare for their own careers. The student to faculty ratio in the Department of Art is approximately 15 to 1.

All art majors take a series of introductory art courses in a wide range of media, as well as art history courses, and upper level courses in their emphasis area. Additionally, students pursuing a studio art emphasis take a series of professional practice courses that introduce them to the business aspects of being working artists and developing creative careers. Those pursuing the art education emphasis receive a comprehensive art education curriculum. Students also have opportunities to participate in internships in the areas of museum studies and gallery practice or studio and creative industry.

Art  2D Studio - Emphasis
This professional degree program provides the foundational knowledge and skills required for entry into art-related career fields or graduate programs in the arts. All art majors take a series of introductory art courses in a wide range of media, as well as art history courses, and upper level courses in their emphasis area. Additionally, students pursuing a studio art emphasis take a series of professional practices courses that introduce them to the business aspects of being working artists and developing creative careers.

The Department of Music at Pittsburg State University is an accredited member of NASM, the National Association of Schools of Music.

Our department averages 100 music majors and 40 minors, and 200 non-music majors per semester, and is staffed by 16 full-time and 6 part-time faculty members. Please explore our website for complete information concerning our programs, degrees, faculty, scholarship auditions, upcoming performances, and other areas of interest.

Music, Instrumental Performance - Emphasis
The Department of Music offers a Bachelor of Music degree, with a variety of emphases in the areas of performance. Students will select an instrumental (string, wind, brass, percussion, or keyboard) emphasis. This degree is designed to prepare individuals for professional advancement or for entry into further study at the graduate level.

The Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation (HHPR) is located in the new Student Recreation Center. The HHPR faculty possess a wide array of specializations. The department offers undergraduate degree programs in Exercise Science, Recreation Services, Sport and Hospitality Management, and Physical Education, five minors and certificates in Dance, Coaching, and Hospitality Management, as well as a graduate program in HHPR. Within each of the degree programs, there are emphases/concentration areas from which students select the professional paths that best fit their needs.

Community and Worksite Wellness -  Emphasis
An emphasis in Community and Worksite Wellness prepares students to advocate and create a culture of wellness both in a community setting as well as the workplace. Wellness coordinators often focus on healthy eating, physical activity, reduction in tobacco use, stress management, fitness programs, use of preventive screenings, programs and services, and improved physical environments, such as walking paths, healthy food choices, and nutritional information provided on site.

The job outlook for Health Educators and Community Health Workers is expected to grow much faster than average (16% from 2016-2026) as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (U.S. Department of Labor).

The Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation (HHPR) is located in the new Student Recreation Center. The HHPR faculty possess a wide array of specializations. The department offers undergraduate degree programs in Exercise Science, Recreation Services, Sport and Hospitality Management, and Physical Education, five minors and certificates in Dance, Coaching, and Hospitality Management, as well as a graduate program in HHPR. Within each of the degree programs, there are emphases/concentration areas from which students select the professional paths that best fit their needs.

Recreation and Sport Management - Emphasis
The Recreation and Sport Management emphasis provides students with the skills needed to serve leadership, supervisory, and management roles in city, park and recreation capacities and other leisure service agencies and sport industries. Upon completion of the program, students are encouraged to take one or more of the following exams: the Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) offered by the National Recreation and Park Association, Certified Sports Event Executive (CSEE), Certified Sports Administrator (CSA) through National Council of Youth Sports and/or Certified Sports Field Manager (CSFM) through Sports Turf Managers Association.

We have undergraduate programs covering the range of modern biology including: pre-health (pre-med, pre-dentistry, pre-vet, pre-optometry, pre-physical therapy, pre-physician assistant), medical technology, cell and molecular biology, wildlife biology, fisheries and aquatic sciences, botany, ecology, and secondary education.

There are almost 400 students in the undergraduate program and about 20 in the graduate division. The Department of Biology has 13 full-time faculty with a wide range of interests. The faculty are dedicated and committed to Pittsburg State University and the department, but most importantly, to students. Most faculty are actively engaged in research activities, national professional organizations, and professional service.

Ecology and Field Biology - Emphasis
The Ecology and Field Biology emphasis covers a wide range of topics, including physiological ecology, natural selection, population biology, ecosystem dynamics, and more. Combing both lab and field activities, this program gives students a hands-on, interactive look at the fascinating relationships between organisms.

This track is recommended for students pursuing a career and/or graduate study in ecology, evolutionary biology, environmental science, zoology, wildlife biology, conservation, and more.