Music (M.M.)
M.M. Music
Program Overview
To ensure that students' education is well-rounded and creatively inspired, Texas State offers a large variety of performing opportunities, including participation in opera productions, choir, orchestra, concert and marching bands, chamber ensembles, award-winning mariachi and salsa ensembles, and other vibrant cultural music groups.
Course Work
The School of Music offers advanced study within 15 concentrations.
The master of music (M.M.) degree requires 36 credit hours.
Concentrations include: choral conducting, composition, musicology, instrumental conducting, jazz performance, keyboard, string, or guitar performance, Latin music performance, performance and pedagogy (classical instruments/voice), theory, voice performance, and woodwind, brass, or percussion performance.
A thesis is required for: history and literature; music theory
| Degree | Concentration | Hours | Thesis Option | Minor Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Degree M.M. | Concentration Choral Conducting | Hours 36 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis | Minor Option No minor |
Degree M.M. | Concentration Composition | Hours 36 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis | Minor Option No minor |
Degree M.M. | Concentration Musicology | Hours 36 | Thesis Option Thesis | Minor Option No minor |
Degree M.M. | Concentration Instrumental Conducting | Hours 36 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis | Minor Option No minor |
Degree M.M. | Concentration Jazz Performance | Hours 36 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis | Minor Option No minor |
Degree M.M. | Concentration Keyboard, String or Guitar Performance | Hours 36 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis | Minor Option No minor |
Degree M.M. | Concentration Latin Music Performance | Hours 36 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis | Minor Option No minor |
Degree M.M. | Concentration Performance and Pedagogy | Hours 36 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis | Minor Option No minor |
Degree M.M. | Concentration Theory | Hours 36 | Thesis Option Thesis | Minor Option No minor |
Degree M.M. | Concentration Voice Performance | Hours 36 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis | Minor Option No minor |
Degree M.M. | Concentration Woodwind, Brass or Percussion Performance | Hours 36 | Thesis Option Non-Thesis | Minor Option No minor |
Program Details
Program Mission
Somos Musicos - "We are Musicians" - expresses with simplicity the solidarity of purpose and cooperation within an extraordinary community of musical artists, scholars and composers: the students and faculty of the School of Music. The unified mission is threefold: to make music together, to develop the self and the art of music, and to contribute value to society.
Career Options
Students will find a variety of career options:
- authoring or editing music publications
- composing/arranging music for film, professional ensembles or commercial projects
- conducting professional ensembles
- performing with opera companies, symphony orchestras,
- jazz ensembles or Latin ensembles
- teaching in public or private schools, colleges and private studios
- writing professional articles and textbooks
Program Faculty
The music faculty at Texas State received their training from the finest conservatories and universities in the world, including the Peabody Institute, Indiana University, New York University, Manhattan School of Music, Michigan State University, Eastman School of Music, Juilliard School, Northwestern University, the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas at Austin, to name a few.
Contact The Graduate College for general questions about getting started with your application, funding your degree, and more. If you have program-specific questions after reviewing the program details, we encourage you to contact the following individuals.
Graduate Advisor
Dr. Nico Schuler
musicgradstudies@txstate.edu
512.245.3395
Music (MUS), Room 209
Advisor Support
Dr. Karla Hamelin
musicgradstudies@txstate.edu
512.245.1554
Music (MUS), Room 207
Apply Now Already know that Texas State is right for you?
Application Deadlines
| Deadlines | U.S. Citizen | International |
|---|---|---|
Deadlines Fall - Priority | U.S. Citizen January 15 | International January 15 |
Deadlines Fall - Standard | U.S. Citizen June 15 (*Flexible) | International June 1 |
Deadlines Spring | U.S. Citizen October 15 (*Flexible) | International October 1 |
Deadlines Summer I | U.S. Citizen April 15 (*Flexible) | International March 15 |
Deadlines Summer II | U.S. Citizen June 1 (*Flexible) | International No Admission |
*This program’s deadline is flexible for those not requiring an F/J visa. A flexible deadline means applications received after the standard deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis with no guarantees for admission consideration.
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Funding Information Applications must be complete by the priority deadline to be considered for certain types of funding. |
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Decision Timeline This program reviews applications on a rolling basis. |
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
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Application
- Completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
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Application Fee
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
OR - $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
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Transcripts & GPA
- baccalaureate degree in music from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- minimum 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
- background course work in music
Effective Fall 2024
- baccalaureate degree in music from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- a 2.75 overall GPA or a 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
- background course work in music
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
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Test Scores
GRE
- GRE not required
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo Scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
Review important information about official test scores.
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Documents & Other Requirements
- audition/portfolio and interview (Requirements vary by concentration. Visit the department's website for detailed instructions.)
- resume/CV (maximum three pages) including name, address, email address, education (degrees or special certifications), professional experience, scholarship awards, special recognitions, articles or presentations, selected community activity, and other information pertinent to the desired degree and concentration
- statement of purpose (400-600 words with your name and email in the header) addressing the following:
- What experiences have you had in your selected music concentration?
- What qualities, values, characteristics, and/or skills do you possess that make you a strong candidate for your selected program at Texas State?
- What do you hope to gain from the program, and how does this relate to your personal and professional goals?
- Discuss your plans to pursue doctoral studies as well, if applicable.
- three letters of recommendation
Review important information about documents.