The Graduate Faculty in the School of Music is made up of accomplished performers, composers, and scholars with a deep concern for preparing their Master of Music students for future success. In addition to their many professional activities – both nationally and internationally, they present many recitals, lectures, and workshops for the University community on the SIUC campus.
Curriculum
The curriculum for each M.M. concentration is slightly different, appropriately focusing on specific aspects of training. Current M.M. students should follow the curricular guides found below for their specific M.M. concentration. These guides are also found on the School of Music Website. Any deviations from this should be discussed with your major professor, and then proposed to the School of Music Graduate Committee.
Each student should regularly meet with both their major professor and the Director of Graduate Studies in Music to ensure that they are fulfilling all the curricular responsibilities of their specific concentration.
Note: Only courses at the 400- and 500-level count toward the total credit hour count to complete the curriculum for the Master of Music degree. At least 18 of the total credit hours must be at the 500 or above level.
Master of Music Thesis Requirements
Each of the various concentrations of the M.M. degree have slightly different thesis requirements, chosen from the following, separately or in combination:
MUS 599: A major written thesis on a topic proposed to and approved by the School of Music Graduate Committee.
Composers write a major composition under direction of the student’s Graduate Faculty committee.
MUS 598: A graduate recital under approval and direction of the student’s recital jury, this may be performing, conducting, or directing.
Collaborative Piano students perform three recitals as per the curriculum above.
MUS 595: A written research paper under the direction of the student’s Graduate Faculty Committee.
Performers write extended program notes to accompany their graduate recital;
Composers write extended notes to accompany their major composition thesis.
Expected February 2025
Start date
September 2025
College of Liberal Arts
Southern Illinois University,
CARBONDALE,
Illinois,
62901, United States
To be eligible to be considered for admission to a graduate degree program, you must meet the following minimum Graduate School requirements: 2.7 (on a grading scale with 4.0=A; approximately a "B-" average) on the last two years of Bachelor's coursework; 3.0 on all previous graduate work (approximately a "B" average).
The English language requirement may be met by submitting: 550 on the paper-based TOEFL; 80 on the internet-based TOEFL; 6.5 on the IELTS; 5.0 on the iTep Academic Plus Exam; C1 required on the Cambridge English Exam.
Deadlines - February 15th (for priority consideration)
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
