Graduate Programs
The Wayne State University Department of Music offers two graduate degrees: the Master of Arts and the Master of Music. Both are supervised by highly qualified faculty with extensive academic and professional experience in their areas of expertise. For specific program information, please select a degree:
Master of Arts
The Master of Arts degree is designed for students who wish to pursue an academic career in music through a broad liberal arts curriculum.
Master of Music
The Master of Music degree is intended for students who wish to pursue a professional concentration in composition/theory, conducting, or performance (vocal, instrumental, jazz).
Graduate Program News
- All students: please see the Department of Music COVID19 Response and Restart Updates and Information page!
- Keep an eye on your degree progress: check out DegreeWorks!
Graduate Student Scholarships
Support for graduate studies is available from both institutional and non-institutional sources. More information about Department of Music scholarships is available under the "Scholarships" tab. Additional information about financial support for graduate study is also available from the Wayne State University Graduate School, the CFPCA, and the Office of Student Financial Aid. Sources of institutional funding include:
- Dumesnil Endowed Talent Scholarships offered by the Department of Music, awarded annually (see Scholarships)
- Activity Award Scholarships offered by the Department of Music, awarded on a semester-by-semester basis
- The Gretchen Valade Graduate Assistantship in Jazz offered by the Department of Music
- The Thomas C. Rumble Fellowships, offered by the Graduate School in partnership with the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts, awarded annually.
- The Graduate Professional Scholarship, offered by the Graduate School, awarded annually
- The Dean's Diversity Master's Scholarship, offered by the Graduate School, awarded annually
- The David DiChiera Scholarship, offered by the Department of Music, awarded annually for Vocal Performance and related music programs
- Master's Scholarships, offered by the Graduate School, awarded annually
- Graduate Student Professional Travel Awards, offered by the Graduate School to graduate students to support conference travel
- Travel Grants, offered by the WSU Humanities Center to graduate students to support conference travel during the Fall, Winter, and Spring/Summer terms
Graduate Placement Examinations
Incoming graduate students are required to take Graduate Placement Examinations in music history and music theory.
The next round of Graduate Placement Examinations will be held in late December 2020 or early January 2021. Once the date is confirmed, it will be posted here. Stay tuned!
Incoming graduate students will only be allowed to register for selected graduate courses if they do not pass the exams. (Under certain circumstances, students who earned a bachelor's degree in the Department of Music at Wayne State University may be exempt from the Graduate Placement Exam requirement. See the Graduate Student Handbook for details.)
- Click to view the History Study Guide and the Theory Study Guide
Curriculum Guide and Plan of Work
For each graduate program, a "Curriculum Guide & Checklist" provides an easy-to-read list of degree requirements. It is recommended that graduate students save a copy of the Curriculum Guide for their program and keep it up to date to track their progress toward their degree. Quick links: MA in Music • MM Comp-Theory • MM Conducting • MM Instrumental Performance • MM Jazz Performance • MM Vocal Performance
Additionally, all Master's students must complete and submit a Plan of Work no later than the completion of twelve (12) graduate credit hours. After completing the form, it must be approved and signed by the student's program advisor and the Department's Graduate Officer. Once the Plan of Work is accepted, it will be placed in the student's file, and the student will be advanced from "Applicant Master's" to "Candidate Master's." More information about the Plan of Work can be found on the Graduate School website.
Graduate Student Handbook
The Graduate Student Handbook contains the policies and procedures that govern the graduate programs in the Department of Music. All graduate students are encouraged to read it and keep a copy for reference.
Guide to Graduate Electives in Music
Most semesters, the Department of Music publishes a "Guide to Graduate Electives in Music" to help graduate students plan their course selections.
| Fall 2018 | Winter 2019 | |
| Fall 2017 | Winter 2018 | |
| Winter 2017 |
Additional Links
WSU's "Learn Anywhere" Resources for Students
DegreeWorks
List of Graduate Degree Program Advisors
Graduate Credit Transfer Form
Graduate Music Course Rotations (2020-2024)
Wayne State University Graduate Bulletin
Guide to Writing Program Notes
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