| This research project is a survey study of graduate-level church music programs. This study examines selected programs in the US and compared the programs (degree offerings, the Curricula, and the admission requirements---the required proficiencies: language requirement, qualifying examination, the required classes, etc.) with the same things in ten of the selected programs in South Korea. The reason for this study is that there is a growing need for qualified and educated church musicians in South Korean churches. At present Korean graduate schools are not meeting the educational demands of Korean students for graduate church music degree programs, as a result, a growing number of Korean students are coming to American universities for graduate programs in church music. What advantages are the Korean students receiving in American universities not presently available in graduate programs in Korean universities? At the present time, no study is available in which there is a comparison of such programs both in American and Korean universities. Such a survey could identify strengths and weaknesses in both the American university programs and also in their Korean counterparts. This study is to prepare a survey of church music programs in South Korea and American universities and to evaluate and compare their curricula. There are many American universities in which graduate programs in church music are offered. There are fewer Korean universities. In order to keep the study within the limits expected in this paper, the following choices are made: Five American fewer Korean universities. In order to keep the study within the limits expected in this paper, the following choices are made: Five American and five Korean universities are compared in more details. The selection is based on general knowledge of students in South Korea universities in where the larger numbers of Korean students are most likely to apply and be educated for their future church music careers. The comparison, table by table, indicates there are greater diversities of degree titles and classes in the American university than Korean. And it shows there is only one doctorate degree offered among Korean schools which compares to the eight out of ten selected American schools offer doctorate degrees in various titles as well as some of joint programs. In Korea, there are a fewer degree titles which even has a very similar contents of programs. Some denominational schools---Notre Dame University, Southern Baptist Seminary, and Lutheran Seminary etc.---particularly, interested in training of the ministers or students music to serve their denomination. Therefore, their purpose is specifically, to train musicians as church musicians or as some others have more professional quality about it and depends on school. Denominational schools are more ministry oriented where the secular universities are more professional oriented. That doesn't mean any student cannot be a minister not be a professional performer, or that doesn't mean those cannot be a performer cannot be a minister also. It is all about the emphasis of their interest. In other words, the emphasis of the purpose of the each program reflects each school's denominational emphasis or in the case of secular schools is a more professional aspect. |
