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Graduate Admissions

Whether you are looking to advance in your current career path or perhaps make a career change, our graduate programs provide the opportunities to focus your studies even further. Take your education to the next level in one of dozens of programs available.

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Choose your area of study to see all relevant admission details.

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Arts Administration

Providing an education in arts management and leadership.

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Brass

Fostering limitless experiences and connections.

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Commercial Music

Providing hands-on experience as performers, engineers and producers.

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Conducting

Gaining leadership and entrepreneurial skills for the 21st Century.

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Jazz

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Keyboard

Offering exceptional training for performers and teachers.

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Liberal Arts in Music

Pursuing a passion for music along with other academic interests.

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Music Education

Preparing tomorrow’s teachers and researchers.

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Music Therapy

Building careers using music in service to and rehabilitation of others.

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Musicology

Training socially responsible scholar-musicians of the highest caliber.

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Percussion

Building skillsets for successful, competitive musicians.

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Piano Technology

Providing valuable experience in repair and restoration situations.

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Strings

Preparing students to excel as a versatile, modern musician.

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Theory & Composition

Training musicians through outstanding instruction and mentorship.

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Voice & Opera

Developing students for a multitude of performing opportunities.

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Woodwinds

Preparing students for diverse careers in teaching and performance.

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Fall 2024

Music Education Admissions

Leading the nation in preparing tomorrow’s teachers and researchers.

Music Education

Key Admission Dates

Fall 2024

  • Priority Deadline December 1
  • Deadline for consideration for merit-based financial assistance. February 28
  • Final Deadline; The College of Music reserves the right to close admission earlier (and often does) if warranted by enrollment limitations and the number and quality of applications. June 1
Music Education

Application Requirements

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1

1 Apply to Florida State University


Complete the Florida State University Application and pay the $30 application fee.

Grade Point Average

In order to meet the Florida State University requirements for graduate admission, applicants must have earned a minimum 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) grade point average (GPA) in all coursework attempted while registered as an upper-division undergraduate student working towards a bachelor’s degree. Applicants not meeting this requirement may be considered for admission, but only by special exception.  To determine your upper-division GPA, please consult the  GPA calculation worksheet.  If your upper-division GPA is below a 3.0, please be sure to address this deficiency in your Statement of Purpose.  You are also encouraged to have your referees address your academic preparedness for graduate study in their letters of recommendation.

International Students

Official English Language Proficiency results are required of all international applicants whose native language is not English, including applicants who have already studied in an English speaking country for any length of time.

For admission, attain the minimum required score on one of the following exams:

Additionally, to be eligible for a graduate assistantship:

  • Students must score a minimum of 26 on the speaking portion of the IBTOEFL or;
  • Achieve a score of 50 on the SPEAK Test (offered by FSU) to qualify for a graduate assistantship.
2

2 Apply to College of Music


Complete the College of Music Supplemental Application and any additional materials required for your program. The Supplemental Application will be added to your Application Checklist within 1-2 hours of submitting your application to FSU.

Master of Music in Music Education (Full-time Program)
  • Vita/Resume
    • Include education, background, experience, honors and awards, publications, names of former teachers, and any other important information.
  • Statement of Purpose
    • There is no required format or prompt for the Statement of Purpose. Most are 1-2 pages in length and discuss the applicant’s background, career goals, and potential for success in the program. This may be formatted as a cover letter to accompany the Vita/Resume.
  • Valid Teaching Certification (K-12 Music)
    • Admission is contingent upon having a valid Teaching Certificate for Music K-12. Scan and attach on the Application Status Check.
    • Applicants seeking certification should instead apply for and complete a second bachelor’s degree in Music Education before pursuing the Master’s degree.
  • Letters of Recommendation (3 required)
    • You will enter your recommenders’ contact information through the Application Status Check.

Applied Music Assessment

Please know that an applied music assessment is a part of most master’s and doctoral programs in the College of Music. Non-performance graduate applicants are not assessed until actually arriving on campus for course enrollment and placement. Many non-performance students choose to complete this requirement during orientation week, prior to the start of the semester along with other curricular placement activities. This requirement must be completed by the end of the first term.

Master of Music in Music Education (Summer Only Program)
  • Vita/Resume
    • Include education, background, experience, honors and awards, publications, names of former teachers, and any other important information.
  • Statement of Purpose
    • There is no required format or prompt for the Statement of Purpose. Most are 1-2 pages in length and discuss the applicant’s background, career goals, and potential for success in the program. This may be formatted as a cover letter to accompany the Vita/Resume.
  • Sample Teaching or Rehearsal Video (Ensemble conducting required Choral Track Only)
    • 10-minute video (minimum), uploaded to the Portfolio on the Application Status Page.
  • Valid Teaching Certification (K-12 Music)
    • Admission is contingent upon having a valid Teaching Certificate for Music K-12. Scan and attach on the Application Status Check.
    • Applicants seeking certification should instead apply for and complete a second bachelor’s degree in Music Education before pursuing the Master’s degree.
  • Letters of Recommendation (3 required)
    • You will enter your recommenders’ contact information through the Application Status Check.
Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education (Music Teacher Education)
  • Vita/Resume
    • Include education, background, experience, honors and awards, publications, names of former teachers, and any other important information.
  • Statement of Purpose
    • There is no required format or prompt for the Statement of Purpose. Most are 1-2 pages in length and discuss the applicant’s background, career goals, and potential for success in the program. This may be formatted as a cover letter to accompany the Vita/Resume.
  • Teaching Video
    • Applicant should submit a 15-minute video recording of the applicant teaching a class or rehearsing (not just conducting) an ensemble.
  • Educational Portfolio
    • To include any of the following that may apply: Concert Programs, Scholarly Writing Samples, etc.
    • Please upload this portfolio as a single document (PDF preferred).
    • Preferred three years of contractual teaching prior to application.
  • Letters of Recommendation (3 required)
    • You will enter your recommenders’ contact information through the Application Status Check.

Applied Music Assessment

Please know that an applied music assessment is a part of most master’s and doctoral programs in the College of Music. Non-performance graduate applicants are not assessed until actually arriving on campus for course enrollment and placement. Many non-performance students choose to complete this requirement during orientation week, prior to the start of the semester along with other curricular placement activities. This requirement must be completed by the end of the first term.

3

3 Submit transcripts from all previously attended institutions.


For the purposes of the admission review, transcripts may be official or unofficial. Prior to matriculation, entering students are required to submit final, official transcripts.

Common Questions

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How do I apply for a scholarship or graduate assistantship?

Everyone who completes the application process (including interview and/or audition, if required) is automatically considered for scholarships and assistantships, and no additional application is necessary.  Only graduate students interested in auditioning for accompanying or group piano teaching assistantships are required to take an additional audition.  Contact College of Music Admissions for further details.

Is a prescreening recording required?

Prescreenings are required for the following instruments/degree programs:

  • MM or DM in Brass Performance
  • MM or DM in String Performance (Violin only)
  • MM or DM in Woodwind Performance
  • MM or DM in Voice Performance
  • MM or DM in Piano Performance
  • MM in Piano Pedagogy
  • MM or DM in Accompanying
  • MM in Opera Coaching

Prescreening submissions are due by December 1 and results will be released by December 15. Applicants who are successful in this first round will be invited to campus for a full audition on one of the dates listed above. (Music Theatre will have a second round via Zoom, followed by a final round on campus).

Is an accompanist provided?

An accompanist is provided, free of charge, for all voice and music theatre auditions on campus. Rehearsal time is not provided, however, and scores should not be submitted in advance. Please bring neat copies, in a book or organized in a binder, in the appropriate key(s). Students may bring their own accompanist to the audition if they wish.

Instrumental auditions will be unaccompanied.

How many times may I audition?

Students are allowed a maximum of three audition attempts per instrument/voice, per degree level (bachelors, master’s, doctoral). Applicants are allowed one audition per application.