Admission

The Master of Arts in Music (M. A.) degree with an emphasis in Music Education or Performance requires:

  • A completed undergraduate degree in music, the completed music requirements for a BA degree (see catalogue), or the equivalent international degree
  • A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.50 in music
  • A statement of intent in graduate study
  • Successfully complete entrance examinations in music theory and music history (see details below)
  • Entrance audition (performance emphasis only - see details below)

Entrance Examinations – Written
All candidates for the MA in Music degree must take entrance exams in music theory and music history.  The exams are scheduled prior to the student’s first semester of graduate study and are taken at a time mutually convenient for the student and the chair of the music department.  After the exams are evaluated by faculty, the student will be informed of the results.  The exams are diagnostic in purpose.  Along with their graduate course of study, students will be required to take undergraduate courses to eliminate any deficiencies. Undergraduate credit hours do not count toward the graduate degree.  The entrance exams are retained in the student’s permanent file.

Entrance Audition – Performance Emphasis only 
The entrance audition for the performance emphasis is taken before the first semester of graduate study.  The prospective student will assemble a 15-minute (minimum) program representative of various stylistic periods.  The student will provide for the audition committee a repertoire list of recent works studied and the audition program may be placed on the opposite side of the same sheet.

The audition committee consists of three members:  the student’s potential applied teacher, the chair of the music department and one other music faculty member.  The potential applied teacher will, in consultation with the chair of the music department, assemble the committee and schedule the audition. 

At the conclusion of the audition, the three committee members will vote to accept or reject the student.  If the student fails the audition, he/she may request a second audition to be taken during the following semester.  If the audition is passed, the graduate coordinator will inform the student by letter.  A copy of the letter, the repertoire list, and the audition program are placed in the student’s file.

ADMISSION PROCESS

1. To be admitted into the MA in Music graduate program, please fill out the online application.

2. Transcripts for Southwestern College graduates are on file. All other students should arrange for submission of official transcripts of all prior college/university coursework. Applicants must hold a recognized baccalaureate degree with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale).

Print a copy of the Request for Transcript form for graduate programs (in PDF format which requires the free Reader).

3. Two confidential letters of recommendation using the recommendation form for graduate programs (at least one from a current or former employer or professor).
 
 Email the link below to your two references and ask them to fill out the online form:
 
 http://www.sckans.edu/graduate-recommendation

4. A written statement/essay of approximately 2-3 paragraphs is required addressing why you decided to enroll in the MA in Music graduate program. Explain how you hope to use this knowledge to further develop your career.

Submit your written statement electronically to Marla Sexson: Marla.Sexson@sckans.edu  

5. All international learners must show evidence of their English language ability by providing the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) report.  A score of 550 (paper test) or 213 (computer-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is considered the minimum acceptable for admission to this program.  

Applicants who hold bachelor's degrees from a U.S. institution or from an institution in another English-only speaking country will receive a waiver of the TOEFL. Applicants who are from native English-speaking countries are not required to take the TOEFL. 

A candidate’s file must be complete before an admissions decision may be made.  It is the responsibility of each candidate to provide all of the information requested above.  Candidates will receive an email stating their admission to their graduate program; subsequently they may enroll in their first class.

Questions?
Contact: Marla Sexson
Telephone: 620-229-6364 or 1-800-846-1543 ext. 6364
E-mail:  Marla.Sexson@sckans.edu

FINANCIAL AID

Financial aid information for masters students is available on the Financial Aid site. Contact Aimee Campbell for information on how your SC degree can be affordable.

Music (MA)