Graduate Programs in Music

The Wayne State University Department of Music offers two graduate degrees: the Master of Arts and the Master of Music. Both are supervised by highly qualified faculty with extensive academic and professional experience in their areas of expertise. For specific program information, please select a degree:

The Master of Arts in Music degree is designed for students who wish to pursue an academic career in music through a broad liberal arts curriculum.

The Master of Music degree is intended for students who wish to pursue a professional concentration in composition/theory, conducting, music industry studies, or performance (vocal, instrumental, jazz).

Click here to apply for admission to one of our graduate programs

 

Graduate Program News

  • MA students can now review the new Thesis Guide -- see the link at the bottom of this page!
  • The new MM concentration in Music Industry Studies (business/technology) is now available!


Graduate Student Scholarships

Support for graduate studies is available from both institutional and non-institutional sources. More information about Department of Music scholarships is available under "Scholarships" in the "Students" tab. Additional information about financial support for graduate study is also available from the Wayne State University Graduate School, the CFPCA, and the Office of Student Financial Aid. Sources of institutional funding include:


Graduate Placement Examinations

Incoming graduate students are required to take Graduate Placement Examinations in music history and music theory.

The next round of Graduate Placement Examinations will be held in August, 2024. More information will be posted here as soon as it's available.
⇒ Please contact Dr. Duchan with any questions.

Incoming graduate students are only allowed to register for selected graduate courses if they do not pass the exams. (Under certain circumstances, students who earned a bachelor's degree in the Department of Music at Wayne State University may be exempt from the Graduate Placement Exam requirement. See the Graduate Student Handbook for details.)


Curriculum Guide & Plan of Work

For each graduate program, a "Curriculum Guide & Plan of Work" provides an easy-to-read list of degree requirements. The same form functions as the Plan of Work (see below). It is recommended that graduate students save a copy of the Curriculum Guide for their program and keep it up to date to track their progress toward their degree.

All Master's students must complete and submit a Plan of Work no later than the completion of twelve (12) graduate credit hours. As of Fall 2022, the Plan of Work is the same form as the Curriculum Guide; it is no longer a separate form. After supplying the required information, the Plan of Work must be approved and signed by the student's program advisor and the Department's Graduate Officer. Once accepted, it will be placed in the student's file, and the student will be advanced in academic rank from "Applicant Master's" to "Candidate Master's." More information about the Plan of Work can be found on the Graduate School website.

To find your Curriculum Guide & Plan of Work, click on your degree program (Master of Arts or Master of Music) at the top of this page; for the Master of Music, then select your concentration. The form is available on the page for your degree/concentration.


Graduate Student Handbook

The Graduate Student Handbook contains the policies and procedures that govern the graduate programs in the Department of Music. All graduate students are encouraged to read it and keep a copy for reference. (Last updated: 11/2020.)


Additional Links & Forms

Links Forms
Graduate Student Handbook
for the Department of Music
Private Lessons Info & Forms
Graduate Music Course Rotations (2023-2026) Plan of Work Form
(*as of Fall 2022, the Plan of Work is
the same form as the Curriculum Guide)
List of Graduate Degree Program Advisors
for the Department of Music
Instructions for Completing Your
Curriculum Guide & Plan of Work
Thesis Guide
for the Department of Music
Directed Study Form
DegreeWorks
(to view degree progress)
Oral Examination Report Form
WSU's "Learn Anywhere"
Resources for Students
Graduate Credit Transfer Form
WSU Graduate School Change of Graduate Status Form
(to change/add a program)
WSU Graduate Bulletin