About Master’s Program,
The School of Music offers multiple graduate degree programs at both the master’s and doctoral level and a graduate minor. Students wishing to pursue a master’s degree have the option of seeking a master of arts (MA) or a master of music (MM) and selecting an emphasis of interest.
Students interested in seeking a doctoral degree may pursue a doctor of musical arts (DMA) or doctor of philosophy (PhD) in music at the University of Minnesota.
The School of Music also offers a post-baccalaureate music education licensure program and a music therapy equivalency program.
Students pursuing a graduate degree outside of music, but with an interest in the theory and history of music, may apply to add a graduate minor to their programs. To apply for the grad minor, students must obtain a signature of approval from their major advisor and the School of Music Director of Graduate Studies.
The master of music degree offers emphases in instrumental performance (violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, and harp), collaborative piano/coaching, orchestral conducting, wind ensemble/band conducting, choral conducting, and music education.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Minimum GPA to receive degree 3
Language requirements: For Voice MM – Proficiency in the pronunciation of English, Italian, French, and German, and a knowledge of the International Phonetic Alphabet system is required. The voice faculty highly recommends a minimum of two years of language study (undergraduate level).
With the exception of courses taken outside the School of Music, all courses offered on both the A-F and S/N grade basis must be taken A-F
Master’s Funding Coverage,
More than 150 fellowships and assistantships are awarded annually to graduate music students. Assistantships are available to graduate students in areas including composition, conducting, music education, musicology, theory, private lesson instruction in guitar, piano, and voice.
Graduate assistantships include tuition benefits, which cover 6 to 14 credits per semester. Appointments between 25% and 50% receive prorated tuition benefits equivalent to double their appointment percentage (e.g., a 25% appointment receives a 50% tuition benefit and a 50% appointment receives a 100% tuition benefit).
Health insurance premiums are subsidized at twice the percentage rate of the graduate assistantship appointment. That is, if a student has a 25% appointment, the department pays one-half of their insurance premiums and they pay the other half. With a 50% appointment, the department pays the full health care premium.
Application Requirement,
- Online applicationto the University of Minnesota
- Program-Specific Materials
- Carefully review the additional application materials required.
- Audition & Interview Requirements
- The following programs require a recorded entrance audition: Conducting, Collaborative Piano & Coaching, Instrumental Performance, and Vocal Performance.
- The following programs require a remote entrance interview: Music Education (MM and Post-Bacc); Music Therapy (MA). Finalists for the PhD in Music Education and Music Education with an Emphasis in Music Therapy will be contacted individually for an arranged remote interview
- Personal Statement – This required statement should address your musical, scholarly, and personal experience and proposed course of study in 1-3 pages.
- Diversity Statement – To be considered for University-level awards focused on fostering a diverse student body, you may elect to submit a 1-3 page statement that identifies the distinctive qualities, characteristics, and life experiences you would contribute to your graduate program and the education of fellow students at the University of Minnesota.
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- List your references and their contact information in your application to the University. The application will contact your references with instructions on how to submit their letters.
- Instructor/Advisor Preference
Within the application, you will have the opportunity to express an instructor/advisor preference for individual faculty members. Every effort is made to honor this request based on studio availability and faculty loads; however, the School of Music cannot guarantee placement with your preferred instructor/advisor. - Unofficial Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts from all previously attended post-secondary institutions are required. If admitted to the University, Graduate Admissions will solicit official transcripts from you upon confirmation of enrollment. - Official Test Scores
- International Applicants are most likely required to take an English proficiency test, and we prefer that they submit a TOEFL score. Please note the minimum scores for admission that are listed here.
- An English language proficiency exam is typically not required from international applicants who are completing their final year of, or have already completed, an undergraduate- or graduate-level degree from an institution in the United States, Canada (except Quebec), United Kingdom/Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand. For more information, please see the Graduate School website.
- GRE General Test Scores
- Theory MA/PhD: test-optional
- CSM MA/PhD: test-optional
- Music Ed MM/PhD: test-optional
- Music Therapy MA/PhD: test-optional
- Musicology MA/PhD: test-optional
- Other graduate programs: test-optional
- Scores older than five years will not be accepted. The University of Minnesota Graduate School ETS code is 6874.
Application Deadline,
Dec 01, 2025
Application Fee,
You will be asked to pay two non-refundable fees in your online application to the University of Minnesota: one $50 fee to the School of Music, and one separate application fee to the Graduate School.
