Master of Music
Admission Requirements
- Completion of a bachelor's degree in music from an accredited institution or its equivalent with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on all undergraduate music courses above the freshman level.
- General admission to graduate study (for criteria, refer to "Admission to Graduate Study").
- Completion of the Graduate Music Entrance Examination in music history/literature and music theory (analysis). The music entrance examination must be completed prior to the first semester of enrollment and is administered at the start of the fall, spring and summer I semesters by the coordinator of graduate studies in music.
- Successful completion of an audition for the appropriate music faculty is required for admission to the performance concentration. When a live audition is not possible, an audition via Skype or other live video conferencing medium will be arranged.
- Prior to enrollment in graduate-level music education courses, graduate students pursuing the Master of Music with emphasis in music education must hold an earned bachelor's degree in music education from an accredited institution or enroll in the Post-Baccalaureate Integrated Music P-12 Initial Certification Program and complete the education and music education course requirements.
Requirements for the Degree
- Unconditional admission to the Master of Music program before completing 12 hours of coursework.
- Unconditional admission to the Master of Music in Voice program requires satisfactory completion of an entrance examination in foreign languages and foreign language diction. Applicants are expected to be proficient in French, German and Italian diction and competent in translating in two of these three foreign languages to English. Deficiencies are met by attaining a grade of “C” or better in prescribed remedial courses.
- Satisfy University degree completion requirements.
- Complete the Master of Music core requirements and the requirements for a concentration in performance or music education.
- Pass the Comprehensive Capstone Examination appropriate to the program emphasis.
Electives may be chosen from studies in music history and literature, music theory, analysis, composition, arranging, music education, pedagogy, conducting, applied music, ensembles related to performance area (three-credit hours maximum) and music business. If the diagnostic scores are high in the areas of music history and form and analysis, the hours for MUSH 600 Graduate Music History Survey and/or MUST 665 Form and Analysis can be added as elective hours. The coordinator of graduate studies in music must approve electives.
*If the diagnostic scores are high in these areas, the student may elect to take other courses based on consultation with the faculty advisor.
**As course topics change, may be repeated for credit as an elective.
Advising
Because the Graduate Music Entrance Examination is used to determine readiness for graduate study in music and to advise an appropriate plan of study, students are expected to complete University and departmental admission requirements prior to taking the first course in graduate music studies.
Prior to initial enrollment, the student will schedule an advisory conference with the coordinator of graduate studies in music. With this initial conference and subsequent advising sessions each semester, the graduate student in music will be adequately informed about their progress and planning toward degree completion.
Graduate Assistantships in Music
Graduate assistantships in music are available on a competitive basis to qualified graduate students who are admitted unconditionally to a master's degree program at Morehead State University. They are offered on a per semester basis for one academic year with consideration for renewal for a second academic year (excluding summer) pending available funding and provided that the graduate assistant receives a satisfactory evaluation each term of service, is continuously enrolled as a full-time student (enrolled in at least nine graduate credit hours but no more than 12) in courses at the 600-level, and maintains at least a 3.0 grade point average.
Graduate assistants are employed as either full-time assistants (20-hours per week for $5,000 per semester) or half-time assistants (10-hours per week for $2,500 per semester). In addition to the assigned work hours for full- or half-time assistants, graduate assistants are expected to assist with major departmental events and projects as needed and perform on the major instrument in service to department, as requested.