Graduate Program

The Graduate Program of the School of Music seeks to develop professional competence and productive scholarship in its students. The program of study is designed to lead to a broad acquaintance with historical and contemporary states of learning and prepare students to make contributions to the advancement of their respective fields. The spectrum of course work in each degree helps to ensure that there is a fusion of musical and intellectual skills in students who understand the cultural and intellectual background of music.

All graduate degree programs have been approved by the National Association of School of Music, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Council on Post-Secondary Education and the Kentucky Department of Education.

General Admission Criteria

  1. Completed application form.
  2. Possession of a bachelor’s degree in music, or permission from the Graduate Music Admissions Committee. A valid teacher's certificate is required if entering the music education program.
  3. Two letters of recommendation including one from an individual who can speak to the applicant's academic and/or professional capabilities or potential.
  4. Official transcripts of all college work from accredited institutions (both undergraduate and graduate) confirming a minimum GPA 2.75 on a 4.0 scale overall, including professional education courses, if applicable, and in the applicant's undergraduate major or academic emphasis.
  5. An essay which discusses the applicant’s interest in and commitment to graduate study.
  6. A recent recital tape or an audition tape demonstrating performance skill.
  7. Applicants must pass an entrance examination in music theory, music history and literature.  Less than passing scores require enrollment in remedial classes. An exam study guide is located here.
International Students: In addition to the above admissions criteria, international students must also:
  1. Submit transcripts to World Education Services for evaluation and translation.
  2. Take and pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum score of 550.

Admission to Degree Candidacy

Admission to candidacy for the Masters degrees requires the student to complete the following:
  1. Nine semester hours of graduate-level core course work for selected degree program;
  2. Six semester hours of graduate-level music course work;
  3. Achievement of a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all graduate-level courses taken at the University and those approved for transfer to be applied to fulfillment of degree requirements.

General Degree Requirements

  1. A minimum of 30 semester hours of credit is required beyond the baccalaureate for this program.
  2. A maximum of six semester hours of graduate credit (excluding applied credit) may be transferred from other accredited graduate institutions if those credits match the course requirements of the graduate program. Approval of transfer credits will result from an examination of the transcript (accompanied by appropriate documentation) by the Graduate Music Admissions Committee.
  3. A grade-point average of 2.75 or above at the undergraduate level on a scale of A = 4.0 is required for applicants who have had no previous graduate study. A grade-point average of 2.75 or above on a scale of A = 4.0 is required for applicants seeking to transfer previous graduate work into the program.
  4. This program has no residence requirements.
  5. A comprehensive examination will be given upon the conclusion of the student's course work in music education. Comprehensive examinations in music courses outside music education will be given at the end of each course as the final exam upon the discretion of the instructor.
  6. The candidate for graduate study is required to compile a portfolio of work related to the student's curriculum. It may include research projects, writing projects, videotapes of classes taught related to graduate studies, rehearsals conducted, and a recital presented as a culminating project. The student's major advisor will evaluate the portfolio for thoroughness and quality of the material presented and, if necessary, make recommendations for additions or changes in the portfolio.
Students may pursue two graduate degrees either simultaneously or consecutively.  A minimum of eighteen additional credit hours must be taken to earn a second degree.

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