Graduate Admission - General Information

Entry Dates and Deadlines

Students may enter the music graduate programs only during fall semester. An exception is made for those in the MM and MA programs with a specialization in music education, who enter only during the summer term but who specify fall entry on the application. The deadline for submission of all application materials for U.S. citizens is February 1; the deadline for international students is January 15. Failure to submit all required materials by the deadline may prevent review of the application. Students are urged to apply for admission as early as possible. All applicants are considered for financial awards and assistantships without additional application.

Tuition and Fees

Consult the current Graduate Studies Catalog for information regarding graduate tuition. For information regarding private lesson fees, please consult the School of Music.

Financial Assistance and Awards

The School of Music offers four types of graduate awards to both new and continuing students: assistantships, internships, performance awards, and scholarships. Please see your advisor for details. A student receiving a graduate assistantship may be expected to attend orientation meetings held during the latter part of the week preceding the start of fall semester.

Departmental Application Requirements

Application

A student interested in pursuing any of the graduate programs in the School of Music should apply online at www.byu.edu/gradstudies. A complete application will include: 1) the application and a $50 application fee; 2) a statement of intent, indicating your desired program, goals, and anticipated graduation date; 3) three letters of recommendation; 4) official transcripts; 5) ecclesiastical endorsement; 6) Honor Code commitment; 7) official TOEFL or IELTS test results, if your native language is not English; and 8) GS I-1 form (financial certification for international students only).

International Students

In addition to the Application for Admission, international students must also submit the following: 1) a Financial Certification Form (form I-1); 2) a Contract of Support; 3) an official English translation of a degree certificate equivalent to a Bachelor's degree along with a Credential Evaluation (for degrees obtained outside of the United States); and 4) proof of English proficiency (when English is not the native language). These items provide the university with certification that the applicant has adequate financial support to complete a graduate program, if accepted, and information about the student's English language ability.

English Proficiency: The student must complete at least one of the following listed exams.
1. TOEFL (computer-based): A minimum score of 237 is required.
2. TOEFL iBT: A minimum score of 85 is required (with at least 22 in Speaking and at least 21 in Listening, Reading, and Writing).
3. IELTS: The School of Music's requirements for the IELTS test exceed those of the university. The School of Music requires a composite band score of at least 7.0 and subscroes of at least 6.5 in all four areas of Writing, Speaking, Listening, and Reading.

Supplemental Application Materials

Each applicant must send specific materials relating to the applicant's intended specialization to the School of Music Academic Administrative Assistant (BYU School of Music, C550 HFAC, Provo UT 84602). Where a recording is specified, an audio cassette, CD, or DVD is preferred. These materials should arrive by the application deadline.

Supplemental Application Materials

Composition (MM)

1. A portfolio of four compositions in various media.
2. A recording of two or more of these compositions.

Conducting (MM)

1. Programs of concerts presented and lists of pieces rehearsed as a conductor.
2. A videotape recording of a representative performance of a group trained and conducted by the applicant.
3. (a) Choral Emphasis
   A personal audition or recorded performance that demonstrates the applicant's ability to play four-part homophonic and polyphonic music at the keyboard.
   (b) Instrumental Emphasis
   Audio or video recording showing proficiency on the applicant's major instrument.

Music Education (MA and MM)

1. 1. A current resume.
   2. Verification by a school administrator of successful public school teaching experience as a certified teacher (1 year minimum or equivalent required before beginning the program).
   3. A video recording of :
   a. a representative rehearsal or music class taught by the applicant;
   b. a representative performance of a group trained and conducted by the applicant;
   c. a representative solo performance of the applicant on his/her major instrument.
   4. Two 800- to 1200-word essays on the following topics:
   a. Discuss what you perceive to be one of the most important problems in public school music education today and propose a possible solution(s).
   b. Reflect on an area of personal interest in music teaching/learning--one that has direct connection with your own teaching--and propose how you might explore it further given the time and opportunity to do so.

Musicology (MA)

1. A sample scholarly research paper.
2. A list of publications, if any.

Performance (MM)

1. Recital programs and repertoire lists from undergraduate study and professional work.
2. A personal performance audition at Brigham Young University (preferred), or a recording of the senior recital or equivalent performance.

Click here for specific information about the MM Piano Performance audition.

Evaluation of Applicants

Customarily, applicants will be notified by March 15 of admission status after a review of their application files. The student’s application and supporting material are reviewed by the faculty of the student’s area of specialization and the Graduate Coordinator. The applicant is then either recommended to the Office of Graduate Studies as acceptable for admission to regular or provisional degree-seeking status or as unacceptable for admission. If the applicant is approved for admission, notification is sent from the Office of Graduate Studies. Each student is initially assigned an advisor from the School of Music Graduate Studies Council. If you have questions regarding scholarships or teaching assistantships, contact your advisor following admission.

Provisional Status

All provisions placed on a student’s admission to the program must be fulfilled and removed by the end of the second semester of enrollment or continuance in the graduate program will be terminated.