Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Master of Music


This program (Music Education, Performance, Conducting, or Composition) is accredited by: NASM. More information can be found at: unlv.edu/provost/vpaa/accreditation

Plan Description


The Master of Music degree at UNLV conforms to the following qualifying prerequisites and guidelines for study set forth by the National Association of Schools of Music:

  1. Demonstrate baccalaureate-level capabilities in basic music competencies.
  2. Demonstrate sufficient knowledge and skill in English to pursue advanced studies.

Mission

The mission of the Master of Music degree at UNLV is to prepare musicians and music educators for careers in performance and education.

The minimum number of credits required for the Master of Music degree varies with each major option.

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes please visit the Degrees Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements


Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

Students applying for admission to the Master of Music degree program must apply online through the Graduate College website. There are different deadlines for international students, and for students who wish to apply for assistantships, which are also found on the Graduate College website.

All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements. In addition to submitting an application and transcripts of all college-level work to the Graduate College, prospective students must present the following credentials:

  1. An overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 (or 3.00 in the last two years of undergraduate study).
  2. An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.00 in music.

Prior to registration, all School of Music graduate students must take placement examinations in music history, theory, and aural skills/sight- singing, regardless of their area of concentration. Passing scores on these exams, or passing grades in the appropriate history or theory review courses (B or above) are required before students may enroll in graduate level history and theory courses. Credit for review courses will not be applied towards the degree.

Prospective students must also present credentials to the School of Music. Under the Program Information section of the online application, please be sure to list your specific concentration. The following credentials must be presented to the School of Music:

Performance subplans (Subplans 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

  1. Two confidential letters of recommendation from former instructors attesting to the student’s ability to complete graduate work at an acceptable level.
  2. A 500-word essay defining career goals and explaining how graduate studies in music will advance the applicant toward these goals.
  3. A successful on-campus performance audition.
  4. All auditions must be presented by April 15 for fall semester admission and by October 15 for spring semester admission. Audition length, requirements, and contact information vary by area. Please consult the area coordinator for further information.

Theory/Composition subplans (Subplans 6, 7)

  1. Two confidential letters of recommendation from former instructors attesting to the student’s ability to complete graduate work at an acceptable level.
  2. A 500-word essay defining career goals and explaining how graduate studies in music will advance the applicant toward these goals.
  3. A portfolio of compositions including at least one work from three of the following categories: a) orchestra, band or chorus; b) solo instrument and piano or for solo piano; c) string quartet, brass quintet, woodwind quintet, or other small ensemble; d) set of songs for solo voice and piano; e) original composition scored for jazz ensemble. Additional works may be included.
  4. All auditions must be presented by April 15 for fall semester admission and by October 15 for spring semester admission. Audition length, requirements, and contact information vary by area. Please consult the area coordinator for further information.

Conducting subplans (Subplans 8, 9, 10)

  1. Two confidential letters of recommendation from former instructors attesting to the student’s ability to complete graduate work at an acceptable level.
  2. A 500-word essay defining career goals and explaining how graduate studies in music will advance the applicant toward these goals.
  3. A videotape or DVD of a rehearsal and performance under the applicant’s direction.
  4. An on-campus conducting audition.
  5. All auditions must be presented by April 15 for fall semester admission and by October 15 for spring semester admission. Audition length, requirements, and contact information vary by area. Please consult the area coordinator for further information.

Music Education subplans (Subplans 11, 12)

  1. An undergraduate degree in Music Education or the equivalent is required for admission to the program.
  2. Passing PPST I scores for Nevada found at www.ets.org.
  3. Two confidential letters of recommendation from former instructors attesting to the student’s ability to complete graduate work at an acceptable level.
  4. A 500-word essay on the applicant’s philosophy of music education.
  5. An undergraduate degree in Music Education or the equivalent is required for admission to the program.
  6. Provide portfolio evidence of two years of successful music teaching experience in the public school. This evidence may include, but is not limited to:
    1. A current resume
    2. A copy of your teaching credential
    3. Representative lesson plans for two classes
    4. Audio and/or video of your students’ learning or performing.
    5. Programs and other materials demonstrating programs you have given in the past two years
  7. All auditions must be presented by April 15 for fall semester admission and by October 15 for spring semester admission. Audition length, requirements, and contact information vary by area. Please consult the area coordinator for further information.

Graduate Licensure subplan (Subplan 13)

The Music Graduate Licensure Program is a graduate program offered by the School of Music leading to an elementary or secondary teaching license and a Master of Music (M.M.).

Students are not admitted during the summer; however, potential candidates may enroll in select courses, as non-admitted graduate students, while awaiting admission to the program. Students should apply for admission to the Graduate College. Once accepted to the Graduate Licensure Program, students should complete the course requirement worksheets they receive and contact their advisors to schedule initial appointments.

  1. Students must have an earned Bachelor’s degree with overall GPA of 2.75 or above in the Comprehensive Subject Area (Vocal/General or Instrumental).
  2. Content coursework related to general music core for music majors that mirrors the music education majors must be on transcript (music theory, music history, conducting, piano, private instruction and ensembles.)
  3. Passing scores in reading, writing, and mathematics on the Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Test examination.
  4. Passing scores on the Music Theory and Music History entrance examinations.
  5. Passing scores on the Teacher Licensure Examinations for Nevada School Law, Nevada Constitution, and U.S. Constitution or related coursework.
  6. Documentation of immunizations with UNLV Admissions and Records.
  7. Field-based experiences (practicum and student teaching) require fingerprinting in compliance with the Clark County School District (CCSD) policy.

Musicology subplan (Subplan 14)

  1. Two confidential letters of recommendation from prior university or college instructors attesting to the student’s ability to complete graduate work at an acceptable level.
  2. A 500-word essay articulating scholarly interests and career goals, and explaining how graduate studies in musicology will advance the applicant toward these goals.
  3. One substantial sample of previous academic writing, normally a critical and/or analytical essay (seminar paper, senior thesis, article, etc.) demonstrating a capacity for research and scholarly writing.
  4. An interview (in-person or remote) with members of the musicology faculty. Interviews must take place no later than April 15 in the semester prior to fall matriculation. Please consult the Musicology area coordinator for further information.


Music History Placement Examination
The examination is an assessment of accumulated knowledge. Students may wish to prepare, however, by reviewing the facts and concepts in J. Peter Burkholder, Donald J. Grout, and Claude V. Palisca, A History of Western Music, 7th edition (New York: W.W. Norton, 2006), the volumes of the Prentice Hall History of Music series, or similar texts. Students who show deficiencies in music history will be required to register for MUS 603 - Graduate Music History Review


The examination is given prior to the first day of instruction for the Fall semester. The exact date, time, and location may be found on the School of Music website.

Students must take the exam at the designated time; no make-up examinations will be given. Students who fail to take the exam at the scheduled time must complete MUS 603 before enrolling in any other music history course. This course is offered in the Fall semesters only.

For more specific details concerning the placement exam, please consult the Music History Handbook, available on the School of Music website or contact Dr. Anthony Barone (702) 895-5953, (anthony.barone@unlv.edu).



Graduate Music Theory and Aural Skills/Sight-singing Placement Examination
A sample graduate theory placement exam may be found on the School of Music website
The Graduate Aural Skills/Sight-singing Placement Examination consists of:

  1. Two-voice dictation
  2. Three-voice dictation
  3. Harmonic dictation
  4. Two-part rhythmic dictation
  5. Sight-singing of a melody in any of the modern clefs (treble, alto, tenor, bass). A single melody may contain clef changes

Students who show deficiencies in music theory and/or aural skills/sight-singing will be required to register for MUS 604 - Graduate Theory Review and/or MUS 602 - Graduate Ear Training Review.


The Graduate Music Theory and Aural Skills/Sight-singing Placement Examination is given prior to the first day of instruction for the Fall semester and the Spring semester. The exact date, time, and location may be found on the School of Music website.


Students must take the exam at the designated time; no make-up examinations will be given. Students who fail to take the exams at the scheduled time must complete MUS 604 and MUS 602 before enrolling in any other music theory course.

For more specific details concerning the placement exam, please contact the School of Music Office or the Graduate Coordinator (702) 895-3332.

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Subplan 1 Requirements: Instrumental Performance


Total Credits Required: 33

Course Requirements


Required Course – Credits: 3


Applied Music Courses – Credits: 8


Ensemble Course – Credits: 5


Complete 5 credits of advisor-approved ensemble coursework.

Recital Course – Credits: 2


Elective Course – Credits: 3


Complete 3 credits of advisor-approved elective coursework.

Degree Requirements


  1. Successful completion of a minimum of 33 credits.
  2. No more than eight credits of 500-level course work may be applied to the candidate’s degree program.
  3. All graduate students in music must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all degree-required courses. Only courses for which the student earns a final grade of “A”, “A-“, “B+”, “B”, or “S” may be applied to the graduate degree. A graduate student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 (B) in a given term will be placed on probation for the following term. If a 3.0 cumulative GPA is not attained by the end of the probationary term, the student will either be granted a final opportunity to raise their GPA or may be dismissed from the program.
  4. Successful completion of MUS 690 - Bibliography, with a minimum grade of B, is a pre-requisite for all graduate-level music history classes.
  5. Students must participate in one major ensemble and one chamber ensemble.
  6. The School of Music reviews the academic performance of graduate students at the end of each academic year and reviews the academic performance of graduate students on assistantships at the end of each semester.
  7. If the school determines that a student is not making satisfactory progress towards the degree, it will request that the Graduate Dean separate the student from the department or place the student on probation. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for three successive semesters will be automatically dismissed from the program.
  8. All candidates for the Master of Music degree in Applied Music are required to take written and oral comprehensive examinations.
    1. The Master of Music comprehensive examinations consist of a written examination, and an oral examination.
    2. The comprehensive exams are taken during the term in which the student intends to graduate.
    3. For more specific information, please consult your advisor or the School of Music Graduate Handbook.

Subplan 2 Requirements: Vocal Performance


Total Credits Required: 33

Course Requirements


Required Course – Credits: 3


Applied Music Courses – Credits: 8


Ensemble Courses – Credits: 2


Complete 2 credits of advisor-approved ensemble coursework.

Recital Course – Credits: 2


Elective Course – Credits: 3


Complete 3 credits of advisor-approved elective coursework.

Degree Requirements


  1. Successful completion of a minimum of 33  credits.
  2. No more than credits of 500-level course work may be applied to the candidate’s degree program.
  3. All graduate students in music must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all degree-required courses. Only courses for which the student earns a final grade of “A”, “A-“, “B+”, “B”, or “S” may be applied to the graduate degree. A graduate student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 (B) in a given term will be placed on probation for the following term. If a 3.0 cumulative GPA is not attained by the end of the probationary term, the student will either be granted a final opportunity to raise their GPA or may be dismissed from the program.
  4. Successful completion of MUS 690 - Bibliography, with a minimum grade of B, is a pre-requisite for all graduate-level music history classes.
  5. Students must participate in one major ensemble and one chamber ensemble.
  6. The School of Music reviews the academic performance of graduate students at the end of each academic year and reviews the academic performance of graduate students on assistantships at the end of each semester.
  7. If the school determines that a student is not making satisfactory progress towards the degree, it will request that the Graduate Dean separate the student from the department or place the student on probation. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for three successive semesters will be automatically dismissed from the program.
  8. All candidates for the Master of Music degree in Applied Music are required to take written and oral comprehensive examinations.
  9. The Master of Music comprehensive examinations consist of a written examination, and an oral examination.
  10. The comprehensive exams are taken during the term in which the student intends to graduate.
  11. For more specific information, please consult your advisor or the School of Music Graduate Handbook.

Subplan 3 Requirements: Collaborative Piano


Total Credits Required: 30

Course Requirements


Required Course – Credits: 3


Applied Music Courses – Credits: 8


Ensemble Course – Credits: 2


Complete 2 credits of advisor-approved ensemble coursework.

Accompanying Courses – Credits: 2


Elective Course – Credits: 3


Complete 3 credits of advisor-approved elective coursework.

Degree Requirements


  1. Successful completion of a minimum of 30 credits.
  2. No more than eight credits of 500-level course work may be applied to the candidate’s degree program.
  3. All graduate students in music must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all degree-required courses. Only courses for which the student earns a final grade of “A”, “A-“, “B+”, “B”, or “S” may be applied to teh graduate degree. A graduate student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 (B) in a given term will be placed on probation for the following term. If a 3.0 cumulative GPA is not attained by the end of the probationary term, the student will either be granted a final opportunity to raise their GPA or may be dismissed from the program.
  4. Successful completion of MUS 690 - Bibliography, with a minimum grade of B, is a pre-requisite for all graduate-level music history classes.
  5. Students must participate in one major ensemble and one chamber ensemble.
  6. MUSA 661 includes two recitals, one with vocalists, and one with instrumentalists.
  7. The School of Music reviews the academic performance of graduate students at the end of each academic year and reviews the academic performance of graduate students on assistantships at the end of each semester.
  8. If the school determines that a student is not making satisfactory progress towards the degree, it will request that the Graduate Dean separate the student from the department or place the student on probation. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for three successive semesters will be automatically dismissed from the program.
  9. All candidates are required to take written and oral comprehensive examinations.
    1. The Master of Music comprehensive examinations consist of a written examination, and an oral examination.
    2. The comprehensive exams are taken during the term in which the student intends to graduate.
    3. For more specific information, please consult your advisor or the School of Music Graduate Handbook.

Subplan 4 Requirements: Multiple Woodwind


Total Credits Required: 38

Course Requirements


Required Course – Credits: 3


Applied Music Courses – Credits: 8


Secondary Applied Music Courses – Credits: 8


Ensemble Course – Credits: 2


Complete 2 credits of advisor-approved ensemble coursework.

Recital Course – Credits: 2


Elective Course – Credits: 3


Complete 3 credits of advisor-approved elective coursework.

Degree Requirements


  1. Successful completion of a minimum of 38 credits.
  2. No more than eight credits of 500-level course work may be applied to the candidate’s degree program.
  3. All graduate students in music must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all degree-required courses. Only courses for which the student earns a final grade of “A”, “A-“, “B+”, “B”, or “S” may be applied to the graduate degree. A graduate student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 (B) in a given term will be placed on probation for the following term. If a 3.0 cumulative GPA is not attained by the end of the probationary term, the student will either be granted a final opportunity to raise their GPA or may be dismissed from the program.
  4. Successful completion of MUS 690 - Bibliography, with a minimum grade of B, is a pre-requisite for all graduate-level music history classes.
  5. Students must participate in one major ensemble and one chamber ensemble.
  6. Secondary Instruments are to be selected based on the entrance audition in consultation with the advisor. Requirements for each secondary instrument may be satisfied by examination at the discretion of the department. Equivalent credits (4) shall be taken on another woodwind instrument or as an elective.
  7. The School of Music reviews the academic performance of graduate students at the end of each academic year and reviews the academic performance of graduate students on assistantships at the end of each semester.
  8. If the school determines that a student is not making satisfactory progress towards the degree, it will request that the Graduate Dean separate the student from the department or place the student on probation. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for three successive semesters will be automatically dismissed from the program.
  9. All candidates are required to take written and oral comprehensive examinations.
    1. The Master of Music comprehensive examinations consist of a written examination, and an oral examination.
    2. The comprehensive exams are taken during the term in which the student intends to graduate.
    3. For more specific information, please consult your advisor or the School of Music Graduate Handbook.

Subplan 5 Requirements: Jazz and Commercial Music Performance


Total Credits Required: 33

Course Requirements


Degree Requirements


  1. Successful completion of a minimum of 33 credits.
  2. No more than eight cedits of 500-level course work may be applied to the candidate’s degree program.
  3. All graduate students in music must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all degree-required courses. Only courses for which the student earns a final grade of “A”, “A-“, “B+”, “B”, or “S” may be applied to the graduate degree. A graduate student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 (B) in a given term will be placed on probation for the following term. If a 3.0 cumulative GPA is not attained by the end of the probationary term, the student will either be granted a final opportunity to raise their GPA or may be dismissed from the program.
  4. Successful completion of MUS 690 - Bibliography, with a minimum grade of B, is a pre-requisite for all graduate-level music history classes.
  5. Students must participate in one major ensemble and one chamber ensemble.
  6. The School of Music reviews the academic performance of graduate students at the end of each academic year and reviews the academic performance of graduate students on assistantships at the end of each semester.
  7. If the school determines that a student is not making satisfactory progress towards the degree, it will request that the Graduate Dean separate the student from the department or place the student on probation. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for three successive semesters will be automatically dismissed from the program.
  8. All candidates are required to take written and oral comprehensive examinations.
    1. The Master of Music comprehensive examinations consist of a written examination, and an oral examination.
    2. The comprehensive exams are taken during the term in which the student intends to graduate.
    3. For more specific information, please consult your advisor or the School of Music Graduate Handbook.

Subplan 6 Requirements: Composition


Total Credits Required: 33

Course Requirements


Degree Requirements


  1. Successful completion of a minimum of 33 credits.
  2. No more than eight credits of 500-level course work may be applied to the candidate’s degree program.
  3. All graduate students in music must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all degree-required courses. Only courses for which the student earns a final grade of “A”, “A-“, “B+”, “B”, or “S” may be applied to the graduate degree. A graduate student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 (B) in a given term will be placed on probation for the following term. If a 3.0 cumulative GPA is not attained by the end of the probationary term, the student will either be granted a final opportunity to raise their GPA or may be dismissed from the program.
  4. Successful completion of MUS 690 - Bibliography, with a minimum grade of B, is a pre-requisite for all graduate-level music history classes.
  5. The School of Music reviews the academic performance of graduate students at the end of each academic year and reviews the academic performance of graduate students on assistantships at the end of each semester.
  6. If the school determines that a student is not making satisfactory progress towards the degree, it will request that the Graduate Dean separate the student from the department or place the student on probation. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for three successive semesters will be automatically dismissed from the program.
  7. All candidates for the Master of Music degree in Theory/Composition are required to take oral comprehensive examinations.
    1. The Master of Music comprehensive examinations consist of an oral examination.
    2. The comprehensive exams are taken during the term in which the student intends to graduate.
    3. For more specific information, please consult your advisor or the School of Music Graduate Handbook.
    4. Having passed the theory placement test before the beginning of the first semester or having passed the music theory review courses (MUS 602, MUS 604) before being able to take any graduate-level theory classes.

Subplan 7 Requirements: Jazz & Commercial Music Composition


 Total Credits Required: 33

Course Requirements


Degree Requirements


  1. Successful completion of a minimum of 33 credits.
  2. No more than eight credits of 500-level course work may be applied to the candidate’s degree program.
  3. All graduate students in music must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all degree-required courses. Only courses for which the student earns a final grade of “A”, “A-“, “B+”, “B”, or “S” may be applied to the graduate degree. A graduate student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 (B) in a given term will be placed on probation for the following term. If a 3.0 cumulative GPA is not attained by the end of the probationary term, the student will either be granted a final opportunity to raise their GPA or may be dismissed from the program.
  4. Successful completion of MUS 690 - Bibliography, with a minimum grade of B, is a pre-requisite for all graduate-level music history classes.
  5. The School of Music reviews the academic performance of graduate students at the end of each academic year and reviews the academic performance of graduate students on assistantships at the end of each semester.
  6. If the school determines that a student is not making satisfactory progress towards the degree, it will request that the Graduate Dean separate the studend from the department or place the student on probation. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for three successive semesters will be automatically dismissed from the program.
  7. All candidates for the Master of Music degree in Theory/Composition are required to take written and oral comprehensive examinations.
    1. The Master of Music comprehensive examinations consist of a written examination, and an oral examination.
    2. The comprehensive exams are taken during the term in which the student intends to graduate.
    3. For more specific information, please consult your advisor or the School of Music Graduate Handbook.

Subplan 8 Requirements: Choral Conducting


Total Credits Required: 33

Course Requirements


Degree Requirements


  1. Successful completion of a minimum of 33 credits.
  2. No more than eight credits of 500-level course work may be applied to the candidate’s degree program.
  3. All graduate students in music must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all degree-required courses. Only courses for which the student earns a final grade of “A”, “A-“, “B+”, “B”, or “S” may be applied to the graduate degree. A graduate student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 (B) in a given term will be placed on probation for the following term. If a 3.0 cumulative GPA is not attained by the end of the probationary term, the student will either be granted a final opportunity to raise their GPA or may be dismissed from the program.
  4. Successful completion of MUS 690 - Bibliography, with a minimum grade of B, is a pre-requisite for all graduate-level music history classes.
  5. The maximum number of workshop credits is three.
  6. The School of Music reviews the academic performance of graduate students at the end of each academic year and reviews the academic performance of graduate students on assistantships at the end of each semester.
  7. If the school determines that a student is not making satisfactory progress towards the degree, it will request that the Graduate Dean separate the student from the department or place the student on probation. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for three successive semesters will be automatically dismissed from the program.
  8. All candidates for the Master of Music degree in Conducting are required to take written and oral comprehensive examinations.
    1. The Master of Music comprehensive examinations consist of a written examination, and an oral examination.
    2. The comprehensive exams are taken during the term in which the student intends to graduate.
    3. For more specific information, please consult your advisor or the School of Music Graduate Handbook.

Subplan 9 Requirements: Orchestral Conducting


Total Credits Required: 33

Course Requirements


Degree Requirements


  1. Successful completion of a minimum of 33 credits.
  2. No more than eight credits of 500-level course work may be applied to the candidate’s degree program.
  3. All graduate students in music must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all degree-required courses. Only courses for which the student earns a final grade of “A”, “A-“, “B+”, “B”, or “S” may be applied to the graduate degree. A graduate student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 (B) in a given term will be placed on probation for the following term. If a 3.0 cumulative GPA is not attained by the end of the probationary term, the student will either be granted a final opportunity to raise their GPA or may be dismissed from the program.
  4. Successful completion of MUS 690 - Bibliography, with a minimum grade of B, is a pre-requisite for all graduate-level music history classes.
  5. The School of Music reviews the academic performance of graduate students at the end of each academic year and reviews the academic performance of graduate students on assistantships at the end of each semester.
  6. If the school determines that a student is not making satisfactory progress towards the degree, it will request that the Graduate Dean separate the student from the department or place the student on probation. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for three successive semesters will be automatically dismissed from the program.
  7. All candidates for the Master of Music degree in Conducting are required to take written and oral comprehensive examinations.
    1. The Master of Music comprehensive examinations consist of a written examination, and an oral examination.
    2. The comprehensive exams are taken during the term in which the student intends to graduate.
    3. For more specific information, please consult your advisor or the School of Music Graduate Handbook.

Subplan 10 Requirements: Wind Band Conducting


Total Credits Required: 33

Course Requirements


Degree Requirements


  1. Successful completion of a minimum of 33 credits.
  2. No more than eight credits of 500-level course work may be applied to the candidate’s degree program.
  3. All graduate students in music must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all degree-required courses. Only courses for which the student earns a final grade of “A”, “A-“, “B+”, “B”, or “S” may be applied to the graduate degree. A graduate student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 (B) in a given term will be placed on probation for the following term. If a 3.0 cumulative GPA is not attained by the end of the probationary term, the student will either be granted a final opportunity to raise their GPA or may be dismissed from the program.
  4. Successful completion of MUS 690 - Bibliography, with a minimum grade of B, is a pre-requisite for all graduate-level music history classes.
  5. The School of Music reviews the academic performance of graduate students at the end of each academic year and reviews the academic performance of graduate students on assistantships at the end of each semester.
  6. If the school determines that a student is not making satisfactory progress towards the degree, it will request that the Graduate Dean separate the student from the department or place the student on probation. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for three successive semesters will be automatically dismissed from the program.
  7. All candidates for the Master of Music degree in Conducting are required to take written and oral comprehensive examinations.
    1. The Master of Music comprehensive examinations consist of a written examination, and an oral examination.
    2. The comprehensive exams are taken during the term in which the student intends to graduate.
    3. For more specific information, please consult your advisor or the School of Music Graduate Handbook.

Subplan 11 Requirements: Music Education


Total Credits Required: 33

Course Requirements


Required Course – Credits: 3


Elective Course – Credits: 9


Complete 9 credits of advisor-approved applied music or conducting electives.

Degree Requirements


  1. Successful completion of a minimum of 33 credits.
  2. No more than eight credits of 500-level course work may be applied to the candidate’s degree program.
  3. All graduate students in music must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all degree-required courses. Only courses for which the student earns a final grade of “A”, “A-“, “B+”, “B”, or “S” may be applied to teh graduate degree. A graduate student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 (B) in a given term will be placed on probation for the following term. If a 3.0 cumulative GPA is not attained by the end of the probationary term, the student will either be granted a final opportunity to raise their GPA or may be dismissed from the program.
  4. Successful completion of MUS 690 - Bibliography, with a minimum grade of B, is a pre-requisite for all graduate-level music history classes.
  5. The maximum number of workshop credits is three.
  6. The School of Music reviews the academic performance of graduate students at the end of each academic year and reviews the academic performance of graduate students on assistantships at the end of each semester.
  7. If the school determines that a student is not making satisfactory progress towards the degree, it will request that the Graduate Dean separate the student from the department or place the student on probation. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for three successive semesters will be automatically dismissed from the program.
  8. Candidates for the Master of Music degree in Music Education are required to take a written comprehensive examinat

Subplan 12 Requirements: Music Education - Orff Schulwerk


Total Credits Required: 33

Course Requirements


Degree Requirements


  1. Successful completion of a minimum of 33 credits.
  2. No more than eight credits of 500-level course work may be applied to the candidate’s degree program.
  3. All graduate students in music must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all degree-required courses. Only courses for which the student earns a final grade of “A”, “A-“, “B+”, “B”, or “S” may be applied to the graduate degree. A graduate student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 (B) in a given term will be placed on probation for the following term. If a 3.0 cumulative GPA is not attained by the end of the probationary term, the student will either be granted a final opportunity to raise their GPA or may be dismissed from the program.
  4. Successful completion of MUS 690 - Bibliography, with a minimum grade of B, is a pre-requisite for all graduate-level music history classes.
  5. The School of Music reviews the academic performance of graduate students at the end of each academic year and reviews the academic performance of graduate students on assistantships at the end of each semester.
  6. If the school determines that a student is not making satisfactory progress towards the degree, it will request that the Graduate Dean separate the student from the department or place the student on probation. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for three successive semesters will be automatically dismissed from the program.

Subplan 13 Requirements: Graduate Licensure: K-12 Music


Total Credits Required: 34

Course Requirements


Internship Course – Credits: 3


Culminating Experience – Credits: 1


Degree Requirements


  1. Successful completion of a minimum of 34 credits with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
  2. Students are required to complete the courses as delineated in each phase of the program, both prior to and after, student teaching. In the Graduate Licensure Program, students complete the prerequisites and requirements for licensure (with student teaching) prior to completing the Master’s degree.
  3. Continuous enrollment must be maintained unless a letter requesting exemption for the semester in question is submitted. Once admitted, students must take a 500, 600 or 700 level course each semester.
  4. CIS 601 must be successfully completed before taking MUS 502.
  5. Successful completion of a culminating experience.

Subplan 14 Requirements: Musicology


Total Credits Required: 33

Course Requirements


Electives - Credits: 6


Complete 6 credits of advisor-approved elective coursework. Students are encouraged to pursue elective studies outside the School of Music in disciplines related to their interests and research.

Thesis - Credits: 6


Complete 6 credits of MUS 680 (3 credits in each of 2 semesters) under the supervision of Musicology faculty.

Degree Requirements


  1. Successful completion of a minimum of 33 credits.
  2. All graduate students in music must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all degree-required courses. Only courses for which the student earns a final grade of “A”, “A-“, “B+”, “B”, or “S” may be applied to the graduate degree. A graduate student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 (B) in a given term will be placed on probation for the following term. If a 3.0 cumulative GPA is not attained by the end of the probationary term, the student will either be granted a final opportunity to raise their GPA or may be dismissed from the program.
  3. Successful completion of MUS 690 - Bibliography, with a minimum grade of B, is a pre-requisite for all graduate-level music history classes.
  4. The School of Music reviews the academic performance of graduate students at the end of each academic year and reviews the academic performance of graduate students on assistantships at the end of each semester.
  5. If the school determines that a student is not making satisfactory progress towards the degree, it will request that the Graduate Dean separate the student from the department or place the student on probation. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for three successive semesters will be automatically dismissed from the program.
  6. Satisfactory performance on a language reading proficiency exam or other advisor-approved metric. 
  7. Satisfactory completion of a master’s thesis (MUS 680). Further information regarding the process of completing the thesis can be found in the School of Music Graduate Handbook.
  8. Satisfactory oral defense of thesis (MUS 680) in semester 4

For more specific information, please consult your advisor or the School of Music Graduate Handbook. 

Graduation Requirements


The student must submit and successfully defend their thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.

After the thesis defense, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted pdf copy of their thesis to the Graduate College for format check. Once the thesis format has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest. Deadlines for thesis defenses, format check submissions, and the final ProQuest submission can be found here

Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.

Plan Graduation Requirements


Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.