Master of Music

The Master of Music degree is an advanced two-year course of study for students who have previously completed an undergraduate degree. The program is focused primarily on professional training and the refinement of musical craft. Our Master of Music Program is designed to provide opportunity for in-depth study in an area of specialization, to increase professional competence in teaching and performance, and to prepare for continued self-directed study or advanced graduate study. Masters of Music degrees cover a wide range of disciplines in the music industry and performing arts.

Admission into the institution does not assure admission into the music program. In addition to general university guidelines for admission to the master\u2019s program through the Graduate School, the following requirements apply to the master of music degree: Candidates must have a bachelor\u2019s degree from an accredited college with a major in music or its equivalent. Acceptance into a specific major field will require an evaluation of a candidate\u2019s ability conducted by a committee of three faculty members, two of whom will be from the particular major field. Normally one of these two will serve as the candidate\u2019s graduate advisor, and the committee as a whole may serve as the candidate\u2019s graduate committee. In addition, non-performance majors must also demonstrate a level of musicianship equal to what would be considered appropriate for 300-level study. Students may demonstrate this level of musicianship in several ways, appropriate to the desired degree program or deemed appropriate by the evaluating committee after consultation with the student. Examples include, but are not limited to, a performance audition in an applied area or conducting (live or taped), a videotape or audiotape of a performance directed by the applicant, or a videotape of a music lesson or class taught by the applicant. Interviews and auditions with CWU music faculty may be arranged at any time, but it is recommended that initial contact be made by November, with plans for interviews and auditions beginning in mid to late January, particularly if one is applying for a Graduate Assistantship. A 3.0 cumulative Grade Point Average - GPA - or above (on a 4.0 scale) is required to be academically admissible. The Graduate School calculates the last 90 quarter hour or last 60 semester hour GPA. A score of 213 or above on the computer-based TOEFL, A score of 79 or above on the Internet-based TOEFL. a minimum International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) academic score of 6.5 (scores should be no more than two years old at the time of application)