Master of Arts in Music at Washington State University

    Master of Arts in Music at Washington State University

    Master of Arts in Music at Washington State University

    International students can study the Master of Arts in Music at Washington State University on the Pullman campus in United States of America. This Master degree is available as a Full Time program delivered on campus in English. The program has a duration of 2 years and is offered at the Pullman campus. Students can apply for the next intake starting on July 1, 2027.

    About Master of Arts in Music

    The music program in the School of Music offers the degree of Master of Arts in Music, which may be earned face-to-face or with Global Campus through study in areas of music education, composition, music history and literature, conducting, and performance studies. Four emphases are available: Music education: Provides advanced studies for experienced or prospective teachers. Performance: Selected by students wishing to teach at the college level or enter professions such as music performance and conducting. Note: This emphasis is not available for Global Campus students. Composition: Prepares students to enter professions in music such as composition and arranging. Jazz emphasis: Focuses on one or more aspects of jazz, including performance, composition, arranging, pedagogy, or history, in preparation for careers in jazz. The degree may also be completed without an emphasis. The program offers both thesis and non-thesis options, designed according to the goals of the student.

    All graduates will be able to:

    1.  Critical, Creative and Musical Reasoning: This includes learning to analyze and interpret music, to express the composer's intention, the character of the music and to convey the  emotion of the work.
    2.  Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning: This involves taking the abstract symbols on the page and making musical sense of them, interpreting the rhythmic and pitch elements of the  music and making expressive choices based on the notation on the page.
    3.  Information Literacy: Musicians must understand the historical and cultural aspects of the music that they are performing to present a musically and artistically convincing  performance. Also, students must become familiar with a wide range of important works from the musical canon. Students are required to use several outside sources, including  library and online resources, to gain this knowledge.
    4.  Communication: A musical performance is not successful unless there is communication with the audience.
    5.  Diversity: To perform music of different styles and genres, it is essential to understand diverse cultures and musical views. This is related to information literacy.
    6.  Integration of Learning: For a musical performance to be truly successful, all of these Learning Outcomes—creative thinking, symbolic reasoning, information literacy, communication  and diversity must be integrated by the performer.

    Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Arts in Music at Washington State University

    Entry Requirements

    A minimum score of 80 on the TOEFL is required for all International Students for whom English is not their primary language.

    The School of Music requires an audition, official transcripts, and three letters of recommendation. In addition, please submit: for the composition emphasis, a composition portfolio with recordings; for the music education emphasis, your written philosophy of teaching; performance (including conducting) requires a more in-depth audition. Contact the music program for details. Once admitted to WSU, each student takes assessments in music theory, history, and keyboard skills, and auditions for music ensembles during the week prior to the first day of classes.

    English Program Requirements

  • TOEFL 80 or higher
  • Career Opportunities after Completing Master of Arts in Music

    Graduates are prepared for professional careers in music including work as performers, composers, arrangers, recording artists and educators.


    Graduate students in music have achieved teaching positions at major universities, community colleges and public schools throughout the United States, including the Director of Jazz Studies at West Valley College in Saratoga, CA; teaching position at the Joy of Music Academy in Boston; and teacher position at the American School in Rome, Italy. Other students have continued their postgraduate work at other prestigious schools of music and performed at major music festivals.

    Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Arts in Music at Washington State University

    Application Fee 70

    How to Apply for Master of Arts in Music at Washington State University

    Gather Your Documents

    Check the admission requirements for information about academic standards and required documents.

    Your application for admission must include:

    • Official transcripts
    • Proof of English language proficiency
    • Copy of your passport identification page or national identity card

    Get the admission application and other necessary forms.

    Prepare Your Information

    You will want to prepare some information before beginning your online application.

    • Be ready to answer questions about your anticipated visa status
    • Be ready to tell us how you meet the language proficiency requirement (through an English proficiency exam score or an exam waiver)

    You may upload electronic copies of your documents when you submit your application online. If you upload transcripts they will be considered unofficial. It is best to send transcripts separately after you submit your application.

    Complete the Application and Submit Documents

    To complete the application and submit it for our review you will need to pay the $70 application fee by credit card or wire transfer. If you have questions about paying this fee please contact us.

    If you do not wish to upload documents into the application, or do not have them ready to upload and submit, you may mail or email them to the International Undergraduate Admissions Office when you submit your application.

    Office of International Programs
    International Undergraduate Admissions
    Kruegel Hall
    PO Box 643251
    Pullman, WA 99164-3251
    USA
    [email protected]

    Master of Arts in Music at Washington State University
    Washington State University
    Washington State University
    United States of America

    United States of America, Pullman

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