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.
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
500- to 800-level music courses may be counted as electives except for the following classes: MUSI 501, MUSI 502, MUSI 516, MUSI 532, MUSI 533. These are review courses that cover undergraduate-level material and they may not be counted toward the MM, DMA, or Ph.D.
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 seven areas: performance, music education, composition, conducting, jazz studies, collaborative piano, or pedagogy. 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 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 |
| CVPA 600 | CVPA Graduate ProSeminar 1 | 0 |
| Total Credits | 11 | |
| 1 | Must be taken within the student's first 2 semesters. |
Concentration in Composition (CPO)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Nine credits of | 9 | |
| Applied Music in Composition | ||
| MUSI 613 | Graduate Orchestration 1 | 3 |
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Topics in Music History and Literature | ||
or MUSI 640 | Topics in World Musics | |
| Advanced Topics in Music History | ||
| Topics in Music Theory | ||
| Advanced Topics in Music Theory | ||
| MUSI 790 | Graduate Recital | 1 |
| Graduate Electives | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 19 | |
| 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 |
| Select 3 credits of graduate electives | 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 |
| Select 3 credits of graduate electives | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 19 | |
Concentration in Music Education (MUE)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Six credits of | 6 | |
| Topics in Music (or) | ||
| Topics in Music Education | ||
| MUSI 661 | Psychology of Music Teaching and Learning | 3 |
| MUSI 663 | Aesthetics of Music Education | 3 |
| Select 9 credits of 500 - 800 level MUSI courses 1 | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
| 1 | Must be approved by advisor. |
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 | ||
| Select 8 credits of 500 - 800 level MUSI electives 1 | 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 | |
| 1 | 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 | |
Music, BM (Performance)/Music, Accelerated MM (Performance)
Overview
Students in the Music, BM (Performance concentration) have the option of obtaining an accelerated Music, MM (Performance concentration).
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.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants to accelerated master's programs must have completed at least 75 credits that apply to their undergraduate degree (with at least 24 credits at Mason) and no more than 100 credits. Applicants should submit the following:
- An Accelerated Master's Program Application, available from the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) Graduate Studies
- 1-2 page Goals Statement
- Two letters of recommendation
- In addition, all applicants must complete a live performance audition. Arrangements for an audition must be made in advance by contacting the School of Music before the scheduled audition date. Auditions are held approximately once per month. Audition dates and audition application forms are available through the School of Music website.
Interested students should contact the Senior Academic Advisor, School of Music, for more details about the application process.
Degree Requirements & Reserve Graduate Credit
After admission and having earned 90 undergraduate credits, accelerated master's students complete 6 credits of graduate coursework in their field of study (with a 3.00 GPA or better in each course), specified by their undergraduate and graduate advisors. These credits will apply to the undergraduate degree and provide the student advanced standing in the MM Performance program. All graduate course prerequisites must be completed prior to enrollment. While still in undergraduate status, a maximum of 6 additional graduate credits may be taken as reserve graduate credit and applied to the master's program. Reserve graduate credits do not apply to the undergraduate degree.
To apply these credits to the master's degree, students should use the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form.
Students in the BM (Performance)/MM (Performance) accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree, including a minimum of 18 applicable graduate credits taken after the bachelor's degree has been completed and posted to the student's academic record. Successful completion of the accelerated MM will require one summer of coursework between years 4 and 5.
As graduate students, accelerated master's students have an advanced standing. They must meet all master's degree requirements except for the two courses (6 credits) they completed as undergraduates. The regular designed timeframe would be a start in the Fall and completion of all coursework in the Summer five years later with the exception of Capstone, which is only offered in Fall and Spring. Students amy need a longer timeframe to complete requirements.
For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see Academic Policies.