2015-2016

Music, Master of Music

School of Music

College of Arts and Letters

With several specific emphasis areas, students earning this Master's degree engage in a program of study that prepares them for an array of paths and career choices in the field of music. Candidates in this program enhance and develop their artistic and intellectual skills, leading them to teaching careers in public schools, arts academies, and community colleges; to performing careers in professional symphonies, wind groups, choruses, and opera companies; and to a continuation of their academic path in leading doctoral programs across the country.

  • Available Emphasis Areas:
  • Choral Conducting - Emphasis
  • Composition - Emphasis
  • Instrumental Conducting - Emphasis
  • Instrumental Performance - Emphasis
  • Musicology/Ethnomusicology - Emphasis
  • Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music - Emphasis
  • Suzuki Pedagogy (Violin) - Emphasis (ending Summer 2024)
  • Theory - Emphasis
  • Vocal Performance - Emphasis

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

    Read the full policy here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 36
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Thesis Thesis may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Comprehensive Exam Comprehensive Exam is required.
Foreign Language A foreign language may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Research Individualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Progression Plan Link View Program of Study

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

    • Two letters of recommendation
    • Writing Sample
      • Musicology
      • Theory
    • Portfolio
      • Composition
    • Video or Audio File
      • Prospective students pursuing a performance sub-plan must submit a 15-20 minute audio/visual recording that demonstrates their skills to the major faculty member in their area before scheduling a live audition (unless prior permission has been attained from the major professor).  Please see www.nau.edu/music/graduate/degrees  for specific sub-plan information.
    • Personal Statement or Essay
Master's Requirements

  • Take the following 36 units, which includes an Emphasis:

    Core Requirements (15 units)

    *Please note that some sub-plans require more than three units of capstone coursework.
    **Choral Conducting, Instrumental Conducting, and Suzuki Pedagogy (Violin) will register for MUS 681 (3 units)
    **Instrumental Performance; Vocal Performance; and Piano Accompanying and Chamber Music will register for MUS 680 (1 unit) and additional electives and/or conducted ensembles (2 units)
    ** Composition, Musicology/Ethnomusicology, and Theory will register for MUS 699 (3 units)

    In addition, you must:
    • Upon entry, complete a self-paced, competency-based online music history tutorial and theory placement exam (unless waived by Associate Director of Graduate Studies).
    • Pass a final comprehensive oral exam.
    Emphasis Requirements (Select One):
    • Choral Conducting Emphasis (21 units)In addition, you must:
      • Sing in one major choral ensemble each semester.
      • Sing in all choral conducting lecture recitals.
      • Satisfy a diction requirement comparable to a two-semester undergraduate sequence.
      • Pass piano and ear training proficiencies administered by the conducting faculty.
    • Composition Emphasis (21 units)In addition, you must:
      • Complete a successful thesis defense.
    • Instrumental Conducting Emphasis (21 units)
    • Instrumental Performance Emphasis (21 units)In addition, you must:
      • Play in one large conducted instrumental ensemble each semester.
    • Musicology/Ethnomusicology Emphasis (21 units)In addition, you must:
      • Satisfy a foreign-language requirement (waived by examination) comparable to a two-year sequence at the undergraduate level.
      • Complete a successful Thesis Defense.
    • Suzuki Pedagogy (Violin) Emphasis (21 units)
    • Theory Emphasis (21 units)In addition, you must:
      • Complete a successful thesis defense.
    • Vocal Performance Emphasis (21 units)
      • MUP 611 (12 units)
      • MUS 520 (3 units)
      • MUS 521 (2 units)
      • MUP 660 (2 units) Vocalists will enroll for "Opera Theater Workshop"
      • MUP 660 (2 units) Vocalists will enroll for "Conducted Choir"

    • In addition, you must:

      • Satisfy a diction requirement comparable to a two-semester undergraduate sequence. 

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.