MA in Music

The Master of Arts in Music provides opportunities for continued development of musical insights, scholarly competencies, and the enhancement of interests in musical and related non-musical areas. This liberal graduate education is designed to prepare a student to pursue a career in college teaching, especially as preparation for doctoral studies in music history or musicology.

Degree Requirements

MUS_H_LI 8313	Introduction to Graduate Study	3
7xxx-8xxx	Music History Courses	9
MUS_GENL 8090	Research in Music (may be repeated for up to 8 credit hours)	4
7xxx-8xxx	Music Theory, Music History, or Research Electives	6
7xxx-8xxx	Advanced Theory Courses	6
MUS_APMS 7455	Studio Instruction (May be satisfied with applied lessons and/or ensembles)	2
7xxx-8xxx	Music or Non-music Electives	3
At least 15 credits must be at 8000 level
Total credits:		33

Additional Requirements:

• Comprehensive Exam. 
• MA degree candidates must satisfactorily complete a Thesis on an approved topic and must pass a final oral examination, administered by a faculty committee, about their projects.

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Admission Criteria

Prerequisites

Completion of a bachelor’s degree in music (or demonstrated equivalent), with a GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 credit-hours, is required. Additional prerequisites listed below. In the event that a candidate does not meet the required prerequisites, appropriate additional course(s) may be added as requirements to the degree program.

• Keyboard competency as is typically developed in an undergraduate music degree program
• 3 courses beyond the core music history courses (MUS_H_LI 2307, MUS_H_LI 2308 at MU)
• Freshman/sophomore music theory courses
• 1 semester of instrumentation
• 1 course in counterpoint (3 credits or equivalent)
• 1 course in Western civilization
• 1 course in European history prior to 1800

Priority Application Deadline

All graduate applicants are expected to submit required application materials (for both the School of Music and the Office of Graduate School) by January 15 for fall semester matriculation, in order to receive full consideration for admission and assistantship or scholarship support. Applications submitted after January 15 will be considered as space permits on a rolling basis. Applicants interested in spring semester matriculation should contact the Associate Director of the School of Music (see below).

Application Process

Apply online via Graduate Admission's Slate system, which will prompt you to complete the following:

• Register for an interview during a Graduate Audition/Interview day.
• Submit samples of written scholarly work.
• Submit your unofficial transcript.
• Submit an essay explaining professional goals.
• Request three references to submit letters of recommendation.

Note: The School of Music does not require GRE scores.

International Student Information

Strong English reading, writing, and speaking abilities are necessary for success in the graduate programs in the School of Music. The following scores are required for admission to a graduate degree program in the School of Music:

• Minimum TOEFL scores:

Minimum TOEFL Scores

Internet-based test (iBT)	Paper-based test (PBT)
80	550

 Note:  No TOEFL subscores below 52 (paper) or 17 (internet), or IELTS 6

• Minimum Academic IELTS scores:

Minimum IELTS Scores

Item	Score
OVERALL	6.5

Note: No IELTS subscores below 5

Note: the University of Missouri's institutional code for the TOEFL is 6875.

Contact Information:

Admissions Coordinator
School of Music
140 Fine Arts Building
Columbia, MO 65211-6120
573-882-4471

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