Program Mission: The Master of Arts in Music provides advanced preparation for teaching, performing, and/or further graduate study.  A core of music courses required for the degree provides essential background in history, literature, research and theory.  Other specialized courses, seminars and individual studies in performance, conducting, composition, theory, history and literature aid the student in achieving his or her career goals.

Admission Requirements: To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (see “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”).  Additional requirements include:

• proof of a Bachelor’s Degree in Music or proof of a bachelor’s degree in another discipline with sufficient musical experience to warrant admission;
• a letter of application and résumé;
• for singers and instrumentalists, an audition; for conductors, a video recording of a recent performance or rehearsal and an audition; for composers, scores and recordings of original compositions; and
• a personal interview;

and one of the following:

• for performance applicants, an audition;
• for conducting applicants, a video recording of a recent performance or rehearsal and an audition;
• for composition applicants, scores and recordings of original compositions; and
• for music education applicants, and undergraduate degree in musicc education and a minimum of one year teaching experience.

Music Placement Examinations: Once admitted to graduate study, all graduate students are required to take examinations in music history and literature, theory and aural skills.  The examinations are used to identify possible deficiencies in undergraduate work; remedial work is prescribed when necessary.

Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically in the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications of the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the certification officer in the Graduate School at the time modifications are approved. The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified on the “Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates” section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit, candidates should consult with the program coordinator.