Master of Music
The Master of Music program is intended for those individuals who seek advanced training in music performance and music education. This program is also intended for individuals who wish to pursue doctoral study and seek teaching positions in higher education.
The 100% online concentration in Music Education does not lead to teaching certification - applicants must enter with certification if they are teaching.
The concentration in Performance is face-to-face on our campus in Carrollton, GA.
For more information, please see the Academic Catalog.
The Music program at the University of West Georgia is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music. All instruction is delivered by a distinguished artist-teacher faculty with extensive credentials and professional experience. Faculty members have regional, national, and international reputations in performance, teaching, research, and creative activities. The Dept of Music Website includes a program guide, as well as other vital information.
CONTACTS
Dr. Elizabeth Kramer ekramer@westga.edu 678-839-6270
Josh Byrd, D.M.A. jbyrd@westga.edu 678-839-6267
The concentration in Music Education is a fully online program, and is intended for those individuals who seek advanced licensure in music teaching or for those who wish to pursue doctoral study and seek teaching positions in higher education.
The concentration in Performance is intended for those individuals who seek advanced training in music performance and/or wish to pursue doctoral study and seek teaching positions in higher education.
Program Location
Carrollton Campus
Method of Delivery
The concentration in Music Education is 100% online.
The concentration in Performance is offered face-to-face at our campus in Carrollton, GA.
Accreditation
The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
This program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
Credit and transfer
Total semester hours required: 30
Maximum Hours Transferable into program: 6
A transfer credit evaluation will be completed by the UWG Transfer Team (transfer@westga.edu). Course application to a program is subject to review by the department.
Graduate students may be able to reduce their cost through prior learning, previous degrees earned at UWG, or transfer credits. We have created a tool to help students estimate their tuition costs.
Please review the individual concentration pages for information regarding cost.
This program may be earned entirely face-to-face. However, depending on the courses chosen, a student may choose to take some partially or fully online courses.
Save money
UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited universities of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen.
Details
- Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
- The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
- Face-to-face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
- Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
- Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
- One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, he/she will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
- For cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website
There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.
General
Program Sheet for Music Education
Program Sheet for Performance
A study of research materials, methods, procedures, and designs in music and music education, including research and data analysis techniques and the application of findings. Students have the opportunity to examine research topics that exploit their professional interests and goals. Includes a research project component.
Philosophical and historical foundations of music education with concentration on trends, influences, developments, personalities, and materials in school music teaching in the United States.
Philosophies, theories, principles, and concepts of learning and their implications for the teaching and learning processes in music education. The current status of learning theory as applied to music education will be evaluated.
Focus on important and timely topic in music education. May be repeated once witha change of subject matter. The student will: 1. Research a current trend in music education policy or practice. 2. Prepare a plan of action utilizing the research of the selected topic appropriate to the music education classroom. 3. Collaborate with peers to evaluate potential for effective practice in today s classroom.
In-depth study of selected topics in music history and literature ranging from studies on specific style periods to studies of individual composers or genres.
In-depth study of musical elements (eg: pitch, duration, texture, timbre, form, and intensity) and their interaction with works of all styles. Includes visual and aural analytical studies on the music of various composers.
Preparation and presentation of a Graduate Recital. A Performance-major recital consists of 40-60 minutes of music; a Music Education-major recital consists of 20-40 minutes of music. Must be competed prior to the middle of the last quarter of applied study and performed before a public audience.
Josh Byrd, D.M.A.
Professor of Music & Director of Bands
Elizabeth Kramer, Ph.D.
Professor of Music & Program Coordinator of Music Graduate Studies
Guidelines for Admittance
- All graduate applicants must complete the online Grad Application. A one-time application fee of $40 is required.
- Applicants should also review the Graduate Studies Website for individual program specific requirements and tasks that must be completed prior to admission. See Graduate Studies Application Process.
- International applicants are subject to additional requirements and application deadlines. See Procedures for International Students.
- Official transcripts from a regionally or nationally accredited institution are required and should be sent directly to the UWG Graduate Admissions Office.
Program Specific Admittance Guidelines
Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree in music or the equivalent. Applicants seeking to enroll in the Master of Music in Music Education program must hold an undergraduate degree in Music Education, or an undergraduate degree in Music PLUS professional teacher certification in Music. The concentration in Music Education is 100% online, and the concentration in Performance is face-to-face. Students in the online program may use approved campus-based classes as electives.
- Submit official transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended.
- An undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or higher
- One letter of recommendation from individuals who can address the applicant's academic, personal, and professional suitability for graduate-level work in Music Education or Performance, respectively.
- Successfully complete the Graduate Music Qualifying Exam to be admitted and register for classes (see below).
Applicants to the Music Education concentration:
- Personal Statement: Submit a written statement of 400-500 words. Possible topics may include goals in pursuing a graduate degree, personal philosophy of teaching, or experiences that have prepared you for an advanced degree.
Applicants to the Performance concentration:
- Successfully complete the Graduate Performance Evaluation as an audition (see below)
Graduate Music Diagnostic Examination
The Music Graduate Diagnostic Exam in music history and music theory is administered to determine whether the applicant meets competency standards for graduate study in music. Competencies are evaluated in:
- Music History
- Musical Styles (aural identification)
- Music Theory
- Aural Skills
The exam is taken at an approved, proctored testing site, either on the West Georgia campus or at a remote location. Testing fees are the responsibility of the candidate. A minimum score of 60% correct response on each section of the examination is required for passage. It may be taken a maximum of three times.
Vocal Principals seeking the Master of Music degree in Performance are required to write an English translation of one short poem from song texts written in the original French, German, or Italian language. A text in one of the three languages must be translated. The applicant may use a hard copy foreign language dictionary when taking the examination.
Graduate Applied Performance Evaluation
An Applied Performance Evaluation is administered to determine if the applicant meets minimum performance standards for admission to the Master of Music in Performance program. Minimum standards are evaluated through the applicant's presentation of a 20-30-minute entrance recital for the faculty, prior to the first term of enrollment. Applicants must provide their own accompanists.
Contact
Graduate Admissions
graduate@westga.edu
678-839-1393
School of Visual and Performing Arts
Dr. Elizabeth Kramer
ekramer@westga.edu
Specific Graduate Admissions Deadlines are available via the Graduate School