The graduate program in music provides students with opportunities to improve skills as teachers or performers beyond the bachelor’s degree, leading to enhanced career opportunities or to doctoral study. The Department of Music offers the MA in music with two areas of specialization: Music Education or Performance.
The Music Education specialization offers students a range of experiences in music teaching and learning theory, assessment and improvement of teaching, administration of music programs, and technology applications in music teaching. This degree is designed to meet the needs of practicing teachers and is offered in a low-residency, online, part-time format. Students will take courses online during the fall and spring semesters, and will attend two intensive summer sessions on campus, where they will take classes that cannot be offered effectively online. As a culminating experience, students must pass a comprehensive examination.
The Music Performance specialization is designed to enhance individual musicianship, technique, and knowledge of a variety of musical styles, with the goal of preparing students for a career in the performing arts. Applicants may choose a principal performing area from conducting, all major instruments, or voice. The Performance degree requires a recital as a culminating project. Students who aspire to further academic training in music may also complete an optional thesis for elective credit. The choral conducting and wind band conducting tracks are available in the traditional on-campus format or the low-residency online format, which offers private conducting lessons via videoconferencing and several online core courses during the fall and spring semesters; remaining courses can be completed during the two-week summer intensive session.
Admissions Criteria
In addition to meeting School of Graduate Studies and Research requirements, the applicant must meet Music Department admission requirements. All applicants must have an undergraduate degree with major in music or its demonstrated equivalent. Applicants for the Performance degree must complete a satisfactory audition on their major instrument (specific audition requirements are available upon application). Applicants to the Masters of Arts in Music must demonstrate that they are certified to teach music in the K-12 public schools of a US state, or that they have comparable certification in another country.
The department may request additional supporting evidence of adequate preparation in specific concentration areas. Once accepted to a specific program of study, all music graduate students will be required to take a diagnostic exam in music theory and history prior to attending classes, so that advisors may better direct the students in their degree programs.
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