Master of Music at Western Washington University

The Music is a Master degree offered by Western Washington University on the WWU - Bellingham campus in Bellingham , United States of America. The program is delivered on campus as a Full Time course in English and requires approximately 2 years to complete. Students study at the WWU - Bellingham campus while gaining the knowledge and practical experience expected for this area of study. The next intake is available from September 27, 2026.

About Master of Music

The Department of Music offers a Master of Music degree with concentrations in Composition, Conducting, Musicology, Music Education, and Performance. The graduate program at WWU emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and scholarship, preparing advanced students for a career in music or providing a solid foundation for doctoral studies.

Admissions/Requirements:

The prerequisite for the Master of Music degree is the completion of a Bachelor of Music, or Bachelor of Arts in Music prior to the first quarter of enrollment. Students must first complete a graduate application through the WWU Graduate School. In addition to the application, applicants must complete audition, interview, and/or portfolio requirements according to their desired concentration of study.

Composition: Applicants must provide a portfolio of recent works and interview with the Composition faculty.
Conducting: Applicants must provide a video of a recent conducting performance by way of an online submission or DVD and audition/interview with the appropriate conducting faculty. Choral conductors should also demonstrate competence in vocal pedagogy, and in German, French, Italian, and Latin diction.
Music Education: Applicant must complete an interview with the Music Education Coordinator, and demonstrate skills on their primary instrument or voice equivalent to the 300-level undergraduate jury through an informal audition. Performance Area Coordinators (Brass, Percussion, Piano, Strings and Guitar, Voice, and Woodwinds) can provide additional details on expectations).
Musicology: Applicants must submit a writing sample that demonstrates advanced skills in research, critical thinking, and analysis, such as a term paper from an undergraduate music history course, a written presentation from anupper-division ethnomusicology seminar, or lengthier compositions, such as an honors thesis.Musicology candidates will also interview (in person or online) with the Musicology faculty.
Performance: Applicants must complete an audition on their primary instrument/voice demonstrating proficiency equivalent to a successful senior recital. Vocal performers must demonstrate competence in German, French and Italian diction. Students in the Piano Performance – Pedagogy Emphasis will audition with a half recital (a balanced program, presenting at least two contrasting styles, 30 minutes) and submit a short paper (up to 5 pages) outlining the student's philosophy of pedagogy, what they want to accomplish in a MMus degree, etc. Performance Area Coordinators (Brass, Percussion, Piano, Strings and Guitar, Voice, and Woodwinds) can provide additional details on audition expectations.

Please note: Admission to the Master of Music program requires acceptance of both the general academic requirements of the Graduate School and by the faculty of the concentration within which the degree is to be undertaken.

Diagnostic Exams

Accepted students must complete diagnostic exams in Music theory and Musicology. Exams will be arranged through the Graduate Advisor/Coordinator. Remedial courses necessary to address deficiencies are not credited toward the degree.

Program Information

The Master of Music degree consists of a core of course curriculum and a set of more specialized courses in one of five concentrations listed above. Minimum credits for the Master of Music is 45.

The Composition concentration includes coursework in composition, musicology, and music theory as well as a thesis (typical a substantial original composition). Ensembles, studio instruction, and coursework in conducting are also available.

The Musicology concentration includes seminars in music history and culture, courses in music theory, ensemble performance, and research, resulting in a substantial written thesis.

The Performance concentration includes vocal or instrumental studio instruction, work in both small and large ensembles, and coursework in musicology and music theory. Pianists may emphasize solo performance, pedagogy or accompanying. Studies in the Jazz areas are available as well. Performance concentration students fulfill their thesis requirement through a full public recital.

The Conducting concentration (band, choral, and orchestral specializations) includes coursework in conducting, musicology, and music theory. Thesis requirements are met through public performances of works selected under advisement from the conducting faculty, either on a single program or over the course of several separate performances. Ensembles and studio instruction are also available.

The Music Education concentration includes courses in music education, musicology, and music theory courses. 400-level courses within the Woodring College of Education are also permissible, and ensembles and studio instruction are available. Students may opt to complete courses toward Washington State Teacher Certification in concurrence with the graduate curriculum. Depending on the student's interests and goals, the thesis can be a written project, a recital, or a conducting practicum.

Disciplines

College of Fine and Performing Arts

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Music at Western Washington University

Entry Requirements

Transcripts

You are required to upload a scanned or electronically generated unofficial transcript from each post-secondary institution attended as part of the application. Provide a copy of your diploma if your transcript does not list the degree awarded.

If you are admitted, a final, official transcript from each institution is still required before you can enroll. If your undergraduate degree is still in progress, please upload current transcripts at the time of application. If you are admitted and choose to attend WWU, you will be required to submit a final official transcript showing the award of the bachelor's degree prior to registration.

Documents must be issued within the last two years at the time of application.
To be considered official, transcripts must be in sealed envelopes prepared by the university or college; attested / certified copies prepared by the institution may be accepted if originals cannot be provided by the institution.
All transcripts and diplomas must be translated into English by the institution, Ministry of Education (or equivalent), or an accredited agency.

Credential Evaluation

This is NOT in lieu of official transcripts, but an additional requirement.

If your degree was earned outside the US or Canada, submit an official course-by-course credential evaluation. We accept both WES evaluations (standard course-by-course or ICAP), and Educational Perspectives evaluations through the CertiFile Certified Credential Attachment service.
- Note: If you choose to submit a WES evaluation, we recommend the ICAP product, because it includes verified copies of your official transcripts and eliminates the need to provide a separate official transcript to our office if you are admitted and choose to attend WWU.
- Please see Certifile Order Process for detailed information about ordering a degree evaluation through the CertiFile service.
You must have earned, or must be in the process of earning the equivalent to a four-year U.S. bachelor's degree prior to beginning the graduate program.
The degree-granting institution must be recognized by the Ministry of Education (or equivalent) in the country where the degree was earned.

Please contact the Graduate School office if you have questions or need clarification on these requirements. Applications cannot be sent to the department for admission consideration until all required documents are received.

English Requirements

IELTSMin 7
TOEFLMin 86

Fee Information

Application Fee 70

How to Apply

Most materials, including unofficial transcripts, your statement of purpose, and writing samples (if required), are required to be uploaded at the time you submit your application. Preparing them in advance will expedite your process.

If you have questions about the application, please do not hesitate to contact us for assistance. Our staff is available Monday-Friday, 8 am to 5 pm (Pacific Time), at (360) 650-3170 or [email protected].

Master of Music at Western Washington University

Western Washington University

United States of America, Bellingham