APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR FALL 2013:
- Deadline for admissions: April 1, 2013. All materials must be received by this date and the audition must take place before this date.
- Deadline for full consideration for an assistantship: March 1, 2013. All materials must be received by this date and the audition must be completed no later than March 15, 2013.
APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR SUMMER 2013 (applies only to students wishing to enter the Summer Music Education Masters program): April 1, 2013. All materials must be received by this date.
MASTER OF MUSIC ADMISSIONS
Admissions to the Master of Music Degree Performance, Conducting, Composition or Music Education
Please note: this page gives information for students seeking the M.M. degree only. All students seeking the D.M.A. degree should click here to apply for the D.M.A.
The School of Music offers a master's degree program that provides students with the necessary opportunities to achieve the highest degree of musical development and professional training. Students seeking admission to a program leading to the Master of Music degree must meet JMU Graduate School requirements, general School of Music requirements for all majors and specific requirements for entrance into a specific concentration. Admissions decisions will be determined without regard to race, color, sex, creed, religion, handicap or national origin of individuals.
Admissions Requirements for All Applicants:
- The Graduate School Application
- Undergraduate degree with a major in music or its demonstrated equivalent with a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0 in music courses. Applicants must have official transcripts sent from all post-secondary schools.
Submit transcripts to:
The Graduate School
James Madison University
MSC 6702
Harrisonburg, VA 22807 - For performance or conducting majors a live audition (or a high-quality audio/video recording for conditional admission); for composition majors a portfolio of compositions; for music education majors a written and oral interview.
Students applying for the MM with a concentration in Music Education whose undergraduate degree is from a school that is not accredited by NASM must audition on their applied instrument (in person or by video recording). Contact the Coordinator of Graduate Studies for instructions (spearemj@jmu.edu). - For music education majors one year of teaching or teaching audition.
- Three letters of recommendation from qualified persons (for example, music education majors should provide at least one letter from an educator/supervisor who has seen them teaching). See instructions for submission in the Graduate School Application.
Additional Requirements for International Applicants:
Click here for other requirements and information for international students.
Assistantships:
Financial Aid is administered by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships in Warren Hall. The chief source of aid for graduate study is through assistantships awarded by the school. Teaching and non-teaching graduate assistantships in music are awarded each year on a competitive basis. Specific assignments in administration, applied music, bands, literature, music education, orchestra and theory are based on qualifications and School of Music needs. In addition to a stipend, assistantships include a tuition award. For more information about graduate assistantships including current stipend amounts, click here. If you wish to be considered, please check 'yes' on your Graduate Application and apply for admission by the deadline given above.
Entrance Examinations:
Prior to the first week of classes, all music applicants must take JMU School of Music diagnostic examinations in music history, written theory and ear training. The results are used for placement and advising. Deficiencies may require election of certain classes within one's graduate program. Removal of deficiencies is required for acceptance into the final stage of study - Candidacy for the Degree.
If you would like more information about the Graduate Music Program, please download the JMU School of Music Graduate Studies Handbook (requires Adobe Reader). For further information or questions concerning graduate study in music, contact:
Dr. Mary Jean Speare
Coordinator of Graduate Studies
School of Music, MSC 7301
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
E-mail: spearemj@jmu.edu
Phone: 540.568.3687
