The Master of Music (MM) degree is offered as an educational channel to meet the intellectual and career needs of qualified students. It is a comprehensive and advanced program of study with a choice of concentrations in Performance, Music Education, Composition, Conducting, Jazz Studies, Collaborative Piano, and Pedagogy. The Master of Music with a concentration in Music Education does not provide licensure to teach music in public or private schools.
The MM concentration in Music Education is currently offered in an online format. All required music education coursework is offered online in the fall, spring, and summer terms. Music education students have the opportunity, if they wish, to complete up to 9 elective credits on Mason’s Fairfax campus during one- to three-week intensive summer coursework. These summer intensive elective options include pedagogy coursework in Orff, Kodaly, and Jazz.
All other MM concentrations—Performance, Composition, Collaborative Piano, Conducting, Jazz Studies, Multiple Instrument Performance, and Pedagogy—are offered in an in-person modality on Mason’s Fairfax campus, with coursework available throughout the academic year.
Admissions
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified on the Graduate Admissions policy page. Specific graduate admissions requirements can be found on the College of Visual and Performing Arts Graduate Admissions requirements page.
Diagnostic Entrance Exam
All students except those enrolled in the MM in music education are required to complete diagnostic entrance examinations in music theory, music history, aural skills, and basic keyboard skills. These examinations must be taken prior to the beginning of the first semester of graduate study. A sufficient placement score can reduce or eliminate prerequisites for some of the 600-level and above courses in music theory and history.
Foreign Language Exams (Vocal Performance Emphasis)
Students in the MM degree program (emphasis in vocal performance) must take proficiency exams in French, German, Italian, and English to demonstrate diction competency. Students may be required to take MUSI 525 Performance Seminar and Vocal Literature for Singers and Accompanists I and MUSI 526 Performance Seminar and Vocal Literature for Singers and Accompanists II.
Policies
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies. See College of Visual and Performing Arts for policies specific to the college.
Program Requirements
A student must successfully complete the appropriate 30 credits in graduate music courses. With approval of the graduate advisor, 3 non-music graduate credits may be taken.
The student is admitted as concentrating in one of eight areas: performance, music education, composition, conducting, jazz studies, collaborative piano, pedagogy, or multiple instrument performance. All students are required to complete the 11 credits described as General Requirements plus 19 credits in one of the six areas identified as Additional Requirements. There are some limited possibilities for double concentrations. For details, see the director of graduate studies.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 30
General Requirements for All Concentrations
Music Education students will have 9 credits of General Requirements and 21 credits of Concentration Requirements; all other concentrations will have 11 credits of General Requirements and 19 credits of Concentration Requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 2 credits of Graduate Ensemble (all concentrations except Composition and Music Education) from the following: | 2 | |
| Graduate Choral Ensembles | ||
| Wind Symphony | ||
| Symphonic Band | ||
| Graduate Chamber Ensemble | ||
| Symphony Orchestra | ||
| Opera and Musical Theater Ensemble | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| MUSI 611 | Analytical Techniques | 3 |
| or MUSI 610 | Topics in Music Theory | |
| or MUSI 710 | Advanced Topics in Music Theory | |
| MUSI 630 | Topics in Music History and Literature | 3 |
| or MUSI 640 | Topics in World Musics | |
| or MUSI 730 | Advanced Topics in Music History | |
| MUSI 662 | Introduction to Research in Music | 3 |
| MUSI 698 | Comprehensive Exit Exam/Portfolio | 0 |
| Total Credits | 11 | |
Concentration in Composition (CPO)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Nine credits of | 9 | |
| Applied Music in Composition | ||
| MUSI 613 | Graduate Orchestration 1 | 3 |
| MUSI 751 | Interactive Music Composition | 3 |
| MUSI 790 | Graduate Recital | 1 |
| 5 credits of MUSI 500-800 or other electives as approved by advisor | 5 | |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
- 1
Students may pass out of MUSI 613 Graduate Orchestration with a satisfactory score on the Graduate Orchestration Placement Exam. In this case, students will take an additional 3 credits of a theory or history elective chosen from: MUSI 610 Topics in Music Theory, MUSI 710 Advanced Topics in Music Theory, MUSI 630 Topics in Music History and Literature, or MUSI 730 Advanced Topics in Music History.
Concentration in Conducting (CDC)
The number of students accepted in the graduate conducting concentration is limited by the extent to which it is possible to provide students with practical experience.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Nine credits of | 9 | |
| Applied Music in Conducting | ||
| MUSI 613 | Graduate Orchestration | 3 |
| MUSI 790 | Graduate Recital | 1 |
| 3 credits of MUSI 500-800 or other electives as approved by advisor | 3 | |
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Topics in Music Theory | ||
or MUSI 710 | Advanced Topics in Music Theory | |
| Topics in Music History and Literature | ||
or MUSI 640 | Topics in World Musics | |
or MUSI 730 | Advanced Topics in Music History | |
| Composition for Conductors and Performers | ||
| Total Credits | 19 | |
Concentration in Jazz Studies (JAZZ)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSI 615 | Advanced Jazz Improvisation | 3 |
| MUSI 650 | Topics in Jazz Studies | 3 |
| Select 9 credits of Graduate Applied Music from the following: | 9 | |
| Applied Music | ||
| Applied Music in Keyboard | ||
| Applied Music in Voice | ||
| Applied Music in Woodwind | ||
| Applied Music in Brass | ||
| Applied Music in String | ||
| Applied Music in Percussion | ||
| MUSI 790 | Graduate Recital | 1 |
| 3 credits of MUSI 500-800 or other electives as approved by advisor | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 19 | |
Concentration in Music Education (MUE)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSI 661 | Psychology of Music Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| MUSI 663 | Philosophy of Music Education | 3 |
| Select one of the following options | 15 | |
Fully Online Non-Thesis Option | ||
Online Capstone (select 6 credits from the following courses) | ||
| Jazz Pedagogy | ||
| Measurement and Evaluation | ||
| Sociology of Music | ||
| Action Research | ||
Online Music Education Electives (select 9 credits from the following courses) | ||
| Jazz Pedagogy | ||
| Topics in Music Education 1 | ||
| Measurement and Evaluation | ||
| Sociology of Music | ||
| Action Research | ||
Fully Online Thesis Option | ||
Thesis (6 credits) | ||
| Thesis | ||
Online Music Education Electives (select 9 credits from the following courses) | ||
| Jazz Pedagogy | ||
| Topics in Music Education | ||
| Measurement and Evaluation | ||
| Sociology of Music | ||
| Action Research | ||
Orff Online Hybrid Option | ||
| Orff Schulwerk I | ||
| Orff Schulwerk II | ||
| Orff Schulwerk III | ||
Online Music Education Electives (select 6 credits from the following courses) | ||
| Jazz Pedagogy | ||
| Topics in Music Education | ||
| Measurement and Evaluation | ||
| Sociology of Music | ||
| Action Research | ||
Kodaly Online Hybrid Option | ||
| Kodaly I | ||
| Kodaly II | ||
| Kodaly III | ||
Online Music Education Electives (select 6 credits from the following courses) | ||
| Jazz Pedagogy | ||
| Topics in Music Education | ||
| Measurement and Evaluation | ||
| Sociology of Music | ||
| Action Research | ||
Jazz Intensive Online Hybrid Option | ||
Summer Jazz Intensive (6 credits) | ||
| Summer Jazz Intensive | ||
| Jazz Pedagogy | ||
Online Music Education Electives (select 6 credits from the following courses) | ||
| Topics in Music Education | ||
| Measurement and Evaluation | ||
| Sociology of Music | ||
| Action Research | ||
| Total Credits | 21 | |
- 1
MUSI 660 may be repeated multiple times if the course topic changes. MUSI 667, 668, 669, and 655 may not be repeated within the degree. A single instance of a course (e.g. one semester of MUSI 660) cannot be double- counted toward multiple degree requirements.
Concentration in Performance (PFM)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 1 credit of Graduate Ensemble from the following: | 1 | |
| Graduate Choral Ensembles | ||
| Wind Symphony | ||
| Symphonic Band | ||
| Graduate Chamber Ensemble | ||
| Symphony Orchestra | ||
| Opera and Musical Theater Ensemble | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| 8 credits of MUSI 500-800 or other electives as approved by advisor 3 | 8 | |
| Select 9 credits of Graduate Applied Music from the following: | 9 | |
| Applied Music | ||
| Applied Music in Keyboard | ||
| Applied Music in Voice | ||
| Applied Music in Woodwind | ||
| Applied Music in Brass | ||
| Applied Music in String | ||
| Applied Music in Percussion | ||
| MUSI 790 | Graduate Recital | 1 |
| Total Credits | 19 | |
- 3
Piano Performance requires 3 credits of MUSI 573 Accompanying and Musicianship III and 5 credits of 500 - 800 level MUSIC electives.
Concentration in Pedagogy (PDGY)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSI 573 | Accompanying and Musicianship III (piano pedagogy only; all other areas take 3 elective credits) | 3 |
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Keyboard Pedagogy | ||
| Vocal Pedagogy and Lab | ||
| Instrumental Pedagogy and Literature | ||
| Select 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Keyboard Pedagogy II (piano pedagogy only) | ||
| Vocal Pedagogy II (vocal pedagogy only) | ||
| Instrumental Pedagogy II (instrumental pedagogy only) | ||
| One credit of | 1 | |
| Graduate Lecture Recital | ||
| Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
| Applied Music | ||
| Applied Music in Keyboard | ||
| Applied Music in Voice | ||
| Applied Music in Woodwind | ||
| Applied Music in Brass | ||
| Applied Music in String | ||
| Applied Music in Percussion | ||
| MUSI 695 | Teaching Internship | 2 |
| MUSI 790 | Graduate Recital | 1 |
| Total Credits | 19 | |
Concentration in Collaborative Piano (COLP)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSI 573 | Accompanying and Musicianship III | 3 |
| MUSI 695 | Teaching Internship | 2 |
| 8 credits of: | 8 | |
| Applied Music in Keyboard | ||
| 2 credits of: | 2 | |
| Graduate Recital | ||
| Select 4 credits of electives from the following: | 4 | |
| Performance Seminar and Vocal Literature for Singers and Accompanists I | ||
| Performance Seminar and Vocal Literature for Singers and Accompanists II | ||
| Diction for Singers I: Italian Diction and English Diction | ||
| Diction for Singers II: German Diction and French Diction | ||
| Techniques of Accompanying II | ||
| Topics in Music Theory | ||
| Topics in Music History and Literature | ||
or MUSI 640 | Topics in World Musics | |
| Graduate Chamber Ensemble | ||
| Teaching Internship | ||
| Advanced Topics in Music Theory | ||
| Advanced Topics in Music History | ||
| Total Credits | 19 | |
Concentration in Multiple Instrument Performance (MINP)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 12 credits of Graduate Applied Music from the following 4 | 12 | |
| Graduate Applied Music | ||
| Applied Music in Keyboard | ||
| Applied Music in Voice | ||
| Applied Music in Woodwind | ||
| Applied Music in Brass | ||
| Applied Music in String | ||
| Applied Music in Percussion | ||
| Applied Music | ||
| Applied Music in Keyboard | ||
| Applied Music in Voice | ||
| Applied Music in Woodwind | ||
| Applied Music in Brass | ||
| Applied Music in String | ||
| Applied Music in Percussion | ||
| MUSI 790 | Graduate Recital | 2 |
| Select 2 credits of Graduate Ensemble from the following | 2 | |
| Graduate Choral Ensembles | ||
| Wind Symphony | ||
| Symphonic Band | ||
| Graduate Chamber Ensemble | ||
| Symphony Orchestra | ||
| Opera and Musical Theater Ensemble | ||
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| 3 credits of MUSI 500-800 or other electives as approved by advisor | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 19 | |
- 4
Credits will be divided between primary and secondary instrument or instruments (2 or 3 instruments total)
Music, BM (Performance)/Music, Accelerated MM (Performance)
Overview
Academically strong undergraduates in the Music, BM (Performance concentration) program may apply to the accelerated Music, MM (Performance concentration). If accepted, students will be able to earn a Music, BM (Performance concentration) and a Music, MM (Performance concentration) after satisfactory completion of 150 credits.
For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
BAM Pathway Admission Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Graduate Admission Policies section of this catalog.
Students are eligible to apply for this accelerated program once they have earned at least 60 undergraduate credits. After successfully completing 75 undergraduate credits, students must use at least 3 and no more than 12 credits of advanced standing courses (see below) to both complete the bachelor’s degree and begin the masters. An additional six credits may be held in reserve for the master’s degree, but cannot be used to complete the bachelors.
Important information on how to apply for this accelerated master's program can be found in the University’s Accelerated Master’s Application Guide.
Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements
Undergraduate students admitted to the accelerated master’s program pathway will be fully admitted into the MA program if they meet the following requirements, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form:
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.00
- Completion of specific undergraduate coursework
- Successfully meet Mason’s requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and complete the application for graduation
- Minimum grade of B in each advanced standing course
- Submission of BAM Transition Form to the School of Music advisor at the beginning of student’s final undergraduate semester. Full details can be found at AP.6.7.3
Accelerated Pathway Requirements
To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students in the Accelerated Pathway must choose from the following Advanced Standing courses, which can be taken as Advanced Standing or Reserve Graduate credit courses. Reserve Graduate credit course options cannot be taken as Advanced Standing.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits with a minimum grade of B in each) 1 | ||
| MUSI 573 | Accompanying and Musicianship III | 3 |
| MUSI 613 | Graduate Orchestration | 3 |
| MUSI 651 | Keyboard Pedagogy II | 3 |
| MUSI 652 | Vocal Pedagogy II | 3 |
| MUSI 653 | Instrumental Pedagogy II | 3 |
| Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program | ||
| MUSI 610 | Topics in Music Theory | 3 |
| MUSI 611 | Analytical Techniques | 3 |
| MUSI 630 | Topics in Music History and Literature | 3 |
| MUSI 640 | Topics in World Musics | 3 |
| MUSI 662 | Introduction to Research in Music | 3 |
| MUSI 664 | Advanced Pedagogy | 3 |
- 1
These courses are cross-listed graduate/undergraduate classes and must not have been taken previously at the undergraduate level.
For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees.