Graduate Degrees

The School of Music offers the Master of Music degree with tracks in the following areas:

  • Choral Conducting
  • Collaborative Piano/Chamber Music
  • Composition
  • Instrumental Conducting
  • Instrumental Performance
  • Keyboard Performance
  • Music Therapy (Must have undergraduate degree in Music Therapy.) (Currently not accepting applications.)
  • Musicology
  • Vocal Performance

The School of Music offers the Master of Arts degree with tracks in the following areas:

The School of Music offers these post-baccalaureate, 1-year programs:

Click here for information regarding graduate and certificate audition material.

General Degree Requirements

  1. All students pursuing Master of Music graduate degree programs must take and satisfy the Graduate Music Diagnostic Exam, administered by the SHSU music faculty, prior to the first semester of residence. The exam includes questions concerning music history, music theory, and if required, foreign language and diction (Vocal Performance, Choral Conducting, and Collaborative Piano/Chamber Music only). The purpose of the Graduate Music Diagnostic Exam is to evaluate each student's general musical knowledge and identify deficiencies. Students deficient in any area will be required to retake and pass the Diagnostic Exam before they can schedule their M.M. comprehensive oral examination. Students should visit the School of Music website for specific information and dates.

  2. Successful completion of a comprehensive oral examination is required for graduation. This exam, which is administered by a committee of three music faculty, is given during the final semester. Oral examination committees are appointed by the Graduate Advisor in consultation with the Graduate Committee and student. Students must be enrolled the semester in which they take comprehensive examinations. Click here to access the study guide for the music history portion of your Exit Oral Exam (master of music candidates only).

  3. All MM students must complete the following core hours and the specific track hours to meet the required minimum of 30 hours beyond the undergraduate degree:

    Master of Music Core (9 hours):

    • MUSI 5330 Analytical Techniques (3 hours)
    • MUSI 6398 Research Techniques (3 hours)
    • MUSI 5XXX Music History (3 hours) (Choose one of the following):
      • MUSI 5331 Seminar in Baroque Music
      • MUSI 5332 Seminar in Classic Music
      • MUSI 5337 Seminar in Nineteenth-Century Music
      • MUSI 5338 Seminar in Twentieth-Century Music
  4. All degrees require a final graduate recital, project or thesis.

For complete track requirements and suggested plans of study, see the COURSE CATALOG.