Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the MM in Music Education, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. 1. Hold a Bachelor’s degree in music from an accredited institution.

   1. Exceptions are rare and require the applicant to seek an Exception to Graduate Admission Policy. Please email admissions@music.utah.edu for more information.
2. 2. Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in all previous collegiate work.

3. 3. International applicants must meet university English proficiency requirements. The School of Music requires higher scores on the TOEFL and IELTS exams.

   1. TOEFL: 85 composite score, with a minimum score of 20 in each category
   2. IELTS: 6.5 band score, with a minimum of 6.0 in each category.
4. 4. Have teacher certification in music from Utah or any state OR be accepted into the music teacher certification program at the University of Utah.

Applying

Complete the following steps to apply to the MM:

1. 1. Submit the online Graduate Admissions application. As part of this application MM applicants need to upload:

   1. Transcripts of course work from all schools attended.
   2. Three letters of recommendation from professors, employers, and/or other professionals qualified to judge the applicants ability to successfully complete doctoral studies.
   3. Statement of Purpose, including future goals.
   4. An academic writing sample.
   5. A high-quality video of your teaching in any setting (10-20 minutes in length). The teaching video can be uploaded directly on the application. However, should you run into issues, a YouTube link should be sent to admissions@music.utah.edu.
2. 2. You may be asked to interview with the music education faculty.

Note: Applicants application will be reviewed by a committee of faculty members within the music education area.

Required Courses

Music Education students will choose either the Project Option or the Thesis Option. All students will take the required Academic Course.

Academic Courses

A total of 8 hours is required

Bibliography

Musicology

Choose one course from the following.

Music Theory

Choose one course from the following:

Project Option (24 hours)

Music Electives

Choose six credits of graduate music courses.

Music Education Electives

Choose three courses from the following:

Thesis Option (24 hours)

Music Electives

Choose three credits of graduate music courses.

Music Education Electives

Choose three courses from the following:

Quick Links

Graduate Placement Exams

Placement examinations in Music History and Music Theory are taken after the student has been accepted by Graduate Admissions. Preparation materials are available on the School of Music website. Placement examinations must be taken prior to registering for Music History and Music Theory courses.

Results of graduate placement exams determine placement in graduate courses and identify areas in which remedial work may be necessary. Students are encouraged to study diligently for these examinations. Poor performance could result in the student being required to take a considerable number of remedial courses. Students recommended for remedial courses must earn a B- or better in recommended courses before advancing to a higher-level course.

Music History

The graduate Music History diagnostic examination covers the breadth of Western art music from the medieval period to the present through a variety of questions evaluating the student’s knowledge of important composers, works, terms, and concepts.

Music Theory

The graduate Music Theory placement examination assesses the student's competence in harmony, voice leading, counterpoint, form, and instrumentation.

Appointment of Supervisory Committee

Members of the Supervisory Committee consult with the student in planning their degree program and research; they also administer the project/thesis defense. It is the responsibility of the student to approach faculty to request that they serve on the Supervisory Committee. Students should submit the Request for Supervisory Committee form to the Academic Coordinator. The Graduate Studies Committee votes on and approves Supervisory Committees.

The student's project/thesis supervisor serves as the Chair of the Supervisory Committee. MM Supervisory Committees consist of three faculty members, the majority of whom must be tenure-line faculty in the School of Music. The Supervisory Committee must be chosen during the first year of study.

Project/Thesis Defense

Upon completion of the project/thesis, MM candidates will complete a project or thesis defense conducted by their Supervisory Committee. All defenses must be held before the last day of classes in the Fall and Spring semesters. Defenses are not to be held during Final Exam or Reading Days or during Summer semester.

A copy of the thesis must be distributed to the Supervisory Committee at least three weeks prior to the defense; the thesis advisor must approve the thesis prior to distribution. Thesis defenses must be held in a neutral location and are open to the public.