Graduate Degree Programs
The School of Music offers a comprehensive slate of graduate degrees at the master's and doctoral levels, as well as an Education Specialist degree.
- Master of Arts
- Master of Music with majors in music literature, composition, performance, and conducting. The major in performance is available with various areas of emphasis.
- Master of Music Education with a major in music education
- Master of Music Education with a major in music therapy
- Education Specialist with a major in music education
- Doctor of Education with a major in music education.
- Doctor of Musical Arts with majors in performance, composition, conducting and music education
- Doctor of Philosophy with a major in any field related to music research
Master of Arts
The degree Master of Arts (M.A.) provides the student with both the fund of knowledge and the research experience to pursue the Ph.D. in the same fields. The M.A. degree provides adequate preparation to teach music history, literature, and appreciation at selected two- or four-year colleges, and for work in the music editing and publishing fields. It is also the degree which is generally required for a career as a music librarian.
Suggested matriculation summary for the degree Master of Arts with a major in Master of Arts.
Master of Music: Music Literature
The degree Master of Music (M.M.) with a major in music literature provides in-depth knowledge of the main body of music literature and knowledge of principal forms, styles, media, and composers and substantial research experience. The degree is adequate professional preparation for the teaching of music literature, music history, or music appreciation at the two- or four-year college level.
Suggested matriculation summary for the degree Master of Music with a major in music literature.
Master of Music: Performance
The degree Master of Music (M.M) with a major in performance provides the student with the technical ability required for professional-level performance of vocal or instrumental music and an interpretive understanding of the appropriate body of repertoire. It provides a broad knowledge base in music theory, history, and literature and allows the student to choose from a variety of concentrations:
- voice
- brass instrument
- woodwind instrument
- string instrument
- percussion
- piano
- organ
- piano pedagogy
- chamber music/accompanying
- woodwinds (multiple instruments)
Suggested matriculation summary for the degree Master of Music with a major in performance.
Master of Music: Composition
The degree Master of Music (M.M.) with a major in composition provides in-depth knowledge of musical forms and compositional idioms of the various periods of music history, and skills essential for creative expression in music composition. Primary career opportunities for graduates of this degree program include professional work in the field of composition or orchestration and teaching at the two- or four-year college level.
Suggested matriculation summary for the degree Master of Music with a major in composition.
Master of Music: Conducting
The degree Master of Music (M.M.) with a major in conducting prepares the graduate to analyze and interpret musical scores, use appropriate rehearsal techniques with various types of musical ensembles, and communicate musical interpretation through appropriate conducting gestures. Students with a major concentration in conducting are prepared to enter the professional field, pursue a higher degree, or teach at the two-or four-year college level.
Suggested matriculation summary for the degree Master of Music with a major in conducting.
Master of Music Education: Music Education
The degree Master of Music Education (M.M.Ed.) with a concentration in music education is designed to enhance both practitioner and research skills. The degree prepares certified teachers to assume professional leadership roles in such activities as curriculum design, mentorship, and teacher research. Completion of the degree leads to Georgia Teacher Certification in music at the T-5 level.
The SEAT Program (Summer Educational Advancement for Teachers) is a special matriculation plan for inservice teachers which allows the degree to be earned in two to three summer sessions with minimal course work during the year.
Suggested matriculation summaries for the degree Master of Music Education.
Suggested matriculation summaries for the SEAT Program. College of Education course offerings for SEAT students.
Master of Music Education: Music Therapy
The degree Master of Music Education (M.M.Ed.) with a concentration in music therapy is designed to enhance the skills of a registered music therapist or to serve as an "equivalency program" leading to Board Certification as a Music Therapist. Ordinarily, applicants should hold a baccalaureate degree in music education or be prepared to take the undergraduate courses necessary to obtain teacher certification in music. Students holding undergraduate degrees in related disciplines should be prepared to fulfill the music requirements of the undergraduate degree in music education and music therapy. Completion of the degree leads to Georgia Teacher Certification in music at the T-5 level.
Suggested matriculation summaries for the degree Master of Music Education with a concentration in music therapy.
Education Specialist
The Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) with a major in music education is a joint program of the College of Education and the School of Music. The degree program prepares students for leadership positions in public or private schools. The program of study includes the areas of music (music education, music history, and music theory); professional education (educational foundations, psychology, curriculum and supervision); and research. Completion of the degree leads to Georgia teacher Certification in music at the T-6 level.
The SEAT Program (Summer Educational Advancement for Teachers) is a special matriculation plan for inservice teachers which allows the degree to be earned in two to three summer sessions with minimal course work during the year.
Suggested matriculation summary for the degree Education Specialist with a major in music education. College of Education course offerings for SEAT students.
Doctor of Education: Music Education
The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) with a major in music education is a joint program of the College of Education and the School of Music. The program of study includes music education, music history, music theory, professional education, and research. The objective of the degree is to provide advanced professional training in music pedagogy to qualify for careers in teaching administration, research, and other educational services. The Ed.D. is usually regarded as necessary for those seeking positions as high-level administrators in public or private schools or as college faculty members.
Suggested matriculation summary for the degree Doctor of Education with a major in music education.
Doctor of Musical Arts
The program of study for the degree Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) is divided into five areas including a major field of concentration, a minor field of concentration, music history and music theory, music in higher education, and research in music. The major field may be selected from the areas of performance, conducting, composition, or music education. The minor field may be selected from any of the major field options not elected as the major field or from the areas of music theory or musicology. At least two consecutive semesters of full-time work (enrollment for a minimum of 20 hours of consecutive coursework included on the program of study) must be spent in resident study on the campus of the University of Georgia. Resident credit used to satisfy requirements for another degree cannot be used to satisfy the requirements for this degree.
Suggested matriculation summary for the degree Doctor of Musical Arts.
Doctor of Philosophy
The program of study for the degree Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is divided into four areas including a major concentration, a minor concentration, a research component, and electives in music. The major area of concentration may be chosen from the fields of musicology/ethnomusicology, music theory, or music education. The minor area is chosen from a field outside of music. The degree is research oriented and prepares students for the roles of teaching and research in higher education. At least two consecutive semesters of full-time work (enrollment for a minimum of 20 hours of consecutive coursework included on the program of study) must be spent in resident study on the campus of the University of Georgia. Resident credit used to satisfy requirements for another degree cannot be used to satisfy the requirements for this degree.
Suggested matriculation summary for the degree Doctor of Philosophy.