It is possible for students who have an undergraduate degree in a subject other than music to apply to our M.A. program. However, before being accepted, such students will need at least 29 official college credits in music, including; 1) three semesters of music history, 2) four semesters of music theory, and 3) four semesters of musicianship (sight singing, ear training, and keyboard studies).
Students lacking these prerequisites may apply as “second-degree undergraduate” students. Such students take these required courses in order to prepare for our M.A. program. Second-degree undergraduate students do not have to complete the entire undergraduate program but, rather, only need take those classes in which they are deficient in order to apply for the M.A.
In certain cases students who are missing only one or two of the required undergraduate courses may be accepted into the M.A. program with the condition that they subsequently complete those courses.
For more information on applying and enrolling as a second-degree undergraduate student, click here.
Students who need to take only a few undergraduate courses in order to make up the requirements listed above may also apply as “non-degree” (or “non-matriculated”) students. Non-degree students may register for a maximum of one semester and may take up to 9 credits in the Music Department. Graduate courses taken by non-degree students may, upon the approval of the Graduate Advisor, be applied towards the M.A. degree if the student subsequently applies to the M.A. program and is accepted.
For more information on applying and enrolling as a non-degree student, click here.
