Support and Resources for Graduate Students

We are committed to providing ample support for you to pursue your degree at Penn State.  Below are just a few of the ways that we provide support for our graduate students. For more information visit the Graduate Aid Page.

Assistantships, Real-World Teaching Experience

Graduate students majoring in music education who apply for an assistantship with the department will gain real-world experience in teaching and research at Penn State and:

  • Enhance administrative skills in fulfilling professional responsibilities.
  • Prepare lesson plans for and execute instruction in music education courses.
  • Interact with faculty and students, and cultivate professional relationships.
  • Further understanding of course subjects and research related topics.

University Graduate Fellowship

These University Graduate Fellowships (UGFs) are awarded to scholastically outstanding Ph.D. students by the Graduate School for the first year of study only. During the second year, UGF students are generally awarded teaching assistantships. In order for scholastically outstanding applicants to be nominated by the School of Music, completed applications must be received by December 1.

Click here for more info.

Bunton-Waller Graduate Awards Program

Bunton-Waller Graduate Awards are generally assistantships granted to incoming students as part of the University’s comprehensive educational opportunity program. The graduate admission application serves as the Bunton-Waller Graduate Awards application. Students must be nominated by their programs for consideration within their college.

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Significant Research and Travel Support

Beels Dunikoski Grants for Graduate Students

The “Sarah Beels Dunikoski Memorial Endowment for Graduate Studies in Music Education in the School of Music” was established to support graduate student research in music education in the School of Music in the College of Arts and Architecture, The Pennsylvania State University. The fund was established initially by Leonard K. Dunikoski in memory of his wife, and by Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Beels in memory of their daughter, Sarah.