Unconditional Admission

1. Bachelor’s degree in music or its demonstrated equivalent (such as a music conservatory degree).
2. Three letters of recommendation are required, speaking to the student’s potential for success from references familiar with the student’s academic background.
3. A minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work as calculated by the Graduate Admissions.
4. Submitted application to the Department of Music (see the departmental website for more information).

All admission criteria will be considered equally. Students meeting all the criteria, plus any track-specific requirements, will be granted unconditional admission.

Track Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements, applicants for the Conducting Track must perform the following:

1. Applicants must audition (in person or by submitting a tape or video link). For further information, contact the Graduate Advisor.

Probationary Admission

A student showing a deficiency in any of the above criteria and showing promise for successful graduate study may still be admitted on a probationary basis upon the recommendation of the Graduate Studies Committee. The conditions of the probation will be outlined in the letter of admission. (The Music Department does not have the authority to lower University TOEFL score requirements for any student.)

Provisional Admission

An applicant unable to supply all required documentation prior to the admission deadline but who otherwise appears to meet admission requirements may be granted provisional admission.

Denied Admission

An applicant can be denied admission based on the recommendation of the Graduate Studies Committee. Applicants may reapply for admission if the deficiencies in credentials that led to denial are remedied.

Deferred Admission

A deferred decision may be granted when a file is incomplete or when a denied decision is not appropriate.

Tracks are offered in Music Performance, Jazz Studies, Jazz Composition, Music Theory, and Conducting. The program is designed for the student who has a Bachelor’s degree in music.

English Proficiency

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in English as indicated in the Graduate Admissions Requirements.  

Advisory Examination

Advisory examinations in music history and written theory may be administered to all students prior to enrollment or during their first semester as a degree-seeking student.