Master of Music, M.M.
About the Program
Format: In person on the Statesboro Campus
Credit Hours: 33
Entry Terms: Fall, Spring
Georgia Southern University’s Master of Music degree provides musicians with an opportunity to further develop and refine their musical skills. It prepares students who wish to pursue doctoral studies and provides T-5 certification to music educators who have already received or who are eligible to receive basic certification. The M.M. assists all students to hone their abilities in planning, conducting, and presenting independent research in their particular area of emphasis. Degrees are granted after a demonstration of proficiency through the presentation of a recital or a final project.
- M.M. in Composition: The M.M. in Composition allows students to work extensively with a teacher/mentor in broadening their portfolio of compositions in a variety of genres and styles. Students take supporting courses in music technology, advanced analysis, and the history of music. The capstone is a full solo recital involving many different types of soloists, ensembles, and media. Students may elect to do considerable work in the Department Electronic and Digital Music Studio.
- M.M. in Conducting: The M.M. in Conducting is designed for candidates who have earned a bachelors degree in music performance or music education, and wish to further develop and enhance their musicianship, conducting skills, and artistry to better serve them in a current professional position or to prepare them for conducting study at the doctoral level. Coursework includes Seminar in Advanced Conducting, Advanced Score Reading Techniques, Advanced Analytical Techniques, a Recital, and electives in applied conducting and literature within the candidate’s main area of emphasis – choral, orchestral, wind band.
- M.M. in Music Education: The M.M. in Music Education fosters creativity and proficiency in dealing with the teaching and learning of music on primary and secondary levels. Music education courses are available in the areas of band, choral and general music instruction, advanced analysis, and the history of music. Supporting courses include music theory, interdisciplinary music education, technology, music history, and general education. The capstone is a written or practical final project developed in consultation with a teacher/mentor.
Ready to Apply?
Or, you can:
- M.M. in Music Technology: The M. M. in Music Technology is an advanced program students training in the musical use of cutting edge digital audio tools. Students explore areas from musical signal processing to studio techniques examining both the technical aspects and the aesthetic consequences of technological advancements in music. While technology plays a major role, music and creativity remain the focus of the Master of Music degree in Music Technology. Students take advantage of elective courses in Composition and other related skill areas. The capstone is a final project developed and produced in consultation with a teacher/mentor.
- M.M. in Performance: The M.M. in Music Performance gives students an opportunity to work extensively with a teacher/mentor to improve their technical and interpretative skills and to broaden their solo performing repertory. Students take supporting courses in the literature of their instrument or voice type, advanced analysis, and the history of music. The capstone is a full solo recital that demonstrates proficiency in performing a broad range of musical styles.
Admission Requirements
- A completed Bachelor’s degree in music or equivalent.
- A minimum 3.0 (4.0 scale) cumulative grade point average in undergraduate work.
- Two letters of recommendation by individuals who are familiar with the applicant’s potential for successful graduate study.
- Requirements pertinent to the student’s intended area of concentration:
- Composition: satisfactory sample scores for at least three different types of compositions
- Conducting: a successful audition, see the audition process and requirements for specific performance areas, and a satisfactory agreement with the conducting faculty committee about how the practical conducting will be managed. Generally, full-time students will be assigned to work with various University ensembles; other students may request permission to work with and ensemble (such as a school band or choir) with which they are currently involved.
- Music Education: T-4 certification by the State of Georgia or its equivalent.
- Music Technology: a statement of purpose and portfolio of previous work in music technology.
- Performance: a successful audition. See the audition process and requirements for specific performance areas.
- International students whose first language is not English and whose undergraduate degree was not completed at an institution where the primary language of instruction was English must have official TOEFL or IELTS scores submitted directly from the Testing Service to Georgia Southern University. For consideration to be admitted to the M.M. program, a minimum TOEFL score of 75, with subscores of at least 20 in both speaking and writing is required, or an IELTS scores of at least 6.5, with no single subscore below 6.0. International students who meet all other admission requirements but who are deficient in English will normally be conditionally admitted. Conditionally admitted students must successfully complete the highest level in the university’s English Language Program (ELP) and achieve a minimum score of 80 on the ELP’s standardized English proficiency exam prior to matriculating into the M.M. program and taking any music classes. ESL exit level for these students is a MTLEP score of 255, with no subsection lower than 80.
*International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES accredited evaluation service and must be a course by course evaluation and include a GPA. (naces.org)
Applicants may be approved for provisional admission based on the quality of the admission material presented. Provisional students must earn grades of ‘B’ or higher in their first nine (9) hours of course work after admission and meet any other stipulations outlined by the department to be converted to regular status.
Department Entrance Examination
All students entering the program must pass a Departmental Entrance Examination to demonstrate acceptable undergraduate-level proficiency in music theory, analysis, and history. The examination is administered online prior to the start of the student’s first semester, and details about the contents of the test and its administration will be given to each student after he/she has been admitted. Students who do not pass the examination will be required to take a review course and may not take Advanced Analytical Techniques (MUSC 7331) until they have passed the review course. Students who cannot pass the review course will be dropped for the program.
Deadlines
Fall
Priority: March 1*
Final: July 31*
Spring
Priority: October 1*
Final: November 15*
Summer
Does Not Admit
*The application and all required documents listed on the “admissions requirements” tab for the program must be received by the deadline. If all required documents are not received by the deadline your application will not be considered for admission.
Program Contact Information
Dr. Gregory Harwood
Graduate Program Director and Coordinator
gharwood@georgiasouthern.edu
912-478-5813
Last updated: 1/12/2024