<p>I visited UMass Amherst a couple days ago and surprisingly liked it. The campus wasn’t as spread out as I thought it would be, especially compared to Rutgers, and the music program seems pretty good. </p>
<p>Anyway, I was wondering how UMass Amherst’s music program compares to Rutgers’ music program, for music ed specifically. Would it be worth it to go to UMass instead of Rutgers, even though I’d have to pay out of state tuition? (I’m from New Jersey, so Rutgers would probably be $10,000 cheaper if I don’t get a scholarship to UMass) I don’t care about getting a job in NJ - I’d prefer not to, actually, and would definitely consider living in Massachusetts/New England - so that wouldn’t be an issue. I know that academically, Rutgers is better, but is one music program better than the other?</p>
<p>I presume that since you want Music Ed you want to teach in K-12 public schools. That is what they will prepare you for. The big questions you should ask them then are their placement rates for music ed graduates and the retention rate 5 years out. The first tells you how well they are connected to the schools that hire, the second tells you how well prepared the graduates are. Excellent music ed schools are not necessarily the same as the performance schools.</p>
<p>You should also consider doing some research on the different teachers you might study with at each of the schools. You will be with that person for at least 6 semesters, so the chemistry is important.</p>
<p>Having met some students and teachers in the music area at UM-A I was favorably impressed with them and the facility. That said, with your chosen field of work, money should be a factor in the decision making process. Not having visited Rutgers or knowing anyone from there I can’t given an opinion beyond this.</p>
<p>There’s some info in the thread here <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/364070-music-ed-schools-boston-ma.html?highlight=UMaSS[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/364070-music-ed-schools-boston-ma.html?highlight=UMaSS</a> in -Allmusic-'s post 17.</p>
<p>The scuttlebutt that I’ve heard confirms that as well, and I do not think thins have gotten much better with the economic downturn. </p>
<p>Honestly, for music ed, if you can make it work within your own state publics, save the extra for grad school. Many districts will require a Masters for continued certification and pay scale increases.</p>
<p>Try a pm to musicmom, whose son is a recent music ed grad (tuba) from Rutgers, now at Hartt for a performance MM. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/633320-new-music-ed-grad-family.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/633320-new-music-ed-grad-family.html</a></p>