Music (Masters-Online)

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Program Link:
https://online.wsu.edu/online-degrees/music-ma/
Total Graduate Faculty in Program:
30
Graduate Students in Program:
5
Priority Deadlines:

  • Fall June 1
  • Spring November 15

Campus:

  • Global Campus (online)

International Student English Proficiency Exams

International students may need to surpass the Graduate School’s minimum English language proficiency exam scores for this program. If the graduate program has unique score requirements, they will be detailed below. Otherwise, please refer to the Graduate School’s minimum score guidelines.

Degree Description:

The School of Music offers the degree of Master of Arts in Music, which may be earned with Global Campus through study in areas of music education, composition, music history and literature, conducting, and performance studies.

Three emphases are available:

  1. Music education: Provides advanced studies for experienced or prospective teachers.
  2. Composition: Prepares students to enter professions in music such as composition and arranging.
  3. Jazz emphasis: Focuses on one or more aspects of jazz, including performance, composition, arranging, pedagogy, or history, in preparation for careers in jazz.
  4. Note: A performance emphasis is not available for Global Campus students.

The degree may also be completed without an emphasis.

The program offers both thesis and non-thesis options, designed according to the goals of the student.

Admission Requirements:

A minimum score of 80 on the TOEFL is required for all International Students for whom English is not their primary language.

The School of Music requires an audition, official transcripts, and three letters of recommendation. In addition, please submit: for the composition emphasis, a composition portfolio with recordings and a brief recording of the applicant performing; for the music education emphasis, your written philosophy of teaching. Contact the Graduate Coordinator for details. Once admitted to WSU, each student takes assessments in music theory, history, and keyboard skills prior to the first day of classes.

Student Opportunities:

Graduate students have opportunities to study, perform, and record with world acclaimed faculty artists; prepare for major competitions and internships; and apply knowledge and expand learning in their classrooms. WSU graduate students have won numerous awards in major competitions for performance and composition and have been accepted and earned significant scholarships in doctoral programs nationally and internationally. Recent graduates have been featured in Jazziz magazine and been successful publishing compositions.

Career Opportunities:

Graduates are prepared for professional careers in music including work as performers, composers, arrangers, recording artists, and educators.

Career Placements:

Graduate students in music have achieved teaching positions at major universities, community colleges and public schools throughout the United States, including the Director of Jazz Studies at West Valley College in Saratoga, CA; teaching position at the Joy of Music Academy in Boston; and teacher position at the American School in Rome, Italy. Other students have continued their postgraduate work at other prestigious schools of music and performed at major music festivals.

Contact Information: