The Mission of the Department of Music at Mississippi State University is two-fold. The department's first obligation is to provide music instruction and specialized pedagogical training for state-certified elementary and secondary school music teachers. This program of instruction is intended to prepare students for exemplary entry-level teaching performance and for admission to selective graduate schools. To this end, the Department of Music provides:

• curricula and advisement that encourage students to acquire a broad, liberal education.
• a comprehensive undergraduate education in the art of music.
• a background in existing music curricula, curriculum design principles, materials, and methodologies.
• preparation in general education, theory, history, and methodology.