Graduate Programs in Music Education
Summer Term: April 1
Fall Term: July 1
Spring Term: December 1
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Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid
Pursuing a Graduate Degree in the College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of St. Thomas offers a variety of graduate degrees for you to pursue and take the next step in your educational career. All of our programs are anchored in collaborative study and fueled by the uplifting power of the liberal arts.
Throughout your time in the college, you will engage in activities such as peer-to-peer learning and faculty mentorship, all of which transforms you into an engaged scholar that actively contributes to your discipline. You will gain invaluable critical thinking and research skills that prepare you for success in both your career and personal life.
Graduate Tuition Rates and Financial Aid
2022-2023 Tuition Rate: $644 per credit.
This rate applies to most CAS graduate courses, regardless of degree level or program, including non-degree enrollment. See the rates specific to the MA in Diversity Leadership degree.
The tuition rate for twelve 50-minute individual music lessons is $1,817.50. Twelve 30-minute individual music lessons are billed at a tuition rate of $901.50.
Dean’s Scholarship
The Dean's Office in the College of Arts & Sciences offers a limited number of scholarships to students admitted to its graduate programs.
These scholarships are intended to appreciate scholastic achievement and to recognize academic potential among incoming students. All students are invited to apply for Dean's Scholarships at the time of their application to their chosen program by writing a short essay in response to a prompt embedded in the application.
Awards will typically be granted on a per course basis and, depending on availability of funds, will typically apply for up to three years when the recipient remains in good academic standing (with a GPA of 3.5 or above). Communication about awards will come from the program to which the student applies.
Start Term Priority Deadlines
Priority deadlines apply to all graduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences unless otherwise specified.
Fall Term: March 1
Spring Term: October 1
Summer Term: April 1
All graduate programs review completed applications on a rolling basis. If an application is submitted and completed after the priority deadline, an admissions decision will be provided within a two to three week window.
Other Program Deadlines
Master of Arts in Diversity Leadership
You can apply to begin your MA in Diversity Leadership degree throughout the year, on 6 dates related to the 6 half-semesters.
Application Requirements
Degrees and Certificates – General Requirements
If you plan to pursue any of our master’s degree programs, you will need to submit the following documents and meet the following requirements in order to be considered for admission:
- Completed online application
- Official college transcript(s)
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Three (3) confidential letters of recommendation from non-related individuals that can speak to your academic abilities and achievements. At least one letter should be from a former professor.
- A personal statement (500 words or less) describing why you are pursuing graduate study and how your intended program will help you achieve your professional goals.
- An academic writing sample (7-15 pages in length) demonstrating skills in critical thinking, logical development and writing style. You may consider revising a previous to reflect your current writing style.
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)
English – Additional Requirements
In addition to the general application requirements, students pursuing a degree or certificate in English must meet the following minimum criteria to be considered for admission:
- Students should have completed a minimum of five (5) undergraduate English courses beyond the first-year level with a “B” or better, or have a record of experience in the field of English literature.
- If you are a Master of Arts in English or a Teaching College English certificate applicant, your writing sample must be a literary analysis that closely examines a text.
- If you are a Master of Arts in Creative Writing and Publishing applicant, your writing sample must be a creative sample or a portfolio of works in one of the three main genres (poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction).
Diversity Leadership - Unique Requirements
The MA in Diversity Leadership program has unique application requirements, class calendar, and tuition rates.
Music Education – Additional Requirements
In addition to the general application requirements, music education students are required to submit additional information per MAME requirements.
- Students must have a baccalaureate degree and a major in music or music education from an accredited college or university.
- A video performance assessment demonstrating music performance ability in piano, voice or other instrumental performance. You must perform two different selections showing contrasting styles from any style or genre. If an accompaniment exists for the works being performed, then the recording must include that accompaniment. In addition, all applicants should sing a simple, short (no more than 16 bars), unaccompanied melody of their choosing. The intention is to assess an applicant’s ability to sing in tune--we are not concerned with the vocal quality of instrumentalists. Performance(s) should be uploaded as public links to YouTube and can be combined into one video. Audio recordings will not be accepted.
- All students admitted to the Master of Arts in Music Education program will also complete a diagnostic exam in Music History and Theory.
Spanish – Additional Requirements
In addition to the general application requirements, students pursuing a certificate in Spanish cultures, literature, and linguistics must submit the following and meet the following criteria to be considered for admission:
- Minimum five (5) undergraduate Spanish courses beyond the second-year level with a “B” or better
- The writing sample must be written in Spanish that is a close, analytical reading of a text, cultural phenomenon or linguistic phenomenon rather than a broad overview of a topic.
- A two-minute audio recording of you speaking Spanish and English. The audio recording can be submitted via a shared link in the application, or emailed as an attachment directly to the Director of Graduate Studies in Spanish.
Non-Degree Students
Non-degree students will submit the following application documents and meet the minimum criteria to be considered for admission:
- Completed online application
- Official college transcript(s)
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- A personal statement no longer than 500 words indicating your interest in pursuing graduate study.
Please consult with your respective program if you plan to continue your studies as a degree- or certificate-seeking student.
Degrees and Certificates – General Requirements
If you plan to pursue any of our master’s degree programs, you will need to submit the following documents and meet the following requirements in order to be considered for admission:
- Completed online application
- Official college transcript(s)
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- Three (3) confidential letters of recommendation from non-related individuals that can speak to your academic abilities and achievements. At least one letter should be from a former professor.
- A personal statement (500 words or less) describing why you are pursuing graduate study and how your intended program will help you achieve your professional goals.
- An academic writing sample (7-15 pages in length) demonstrating skills in critical thinking, logical development and writing style. You may consider revising a previous to reflect your current writing style.
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)
English – Additional Requirements
In addition to the general application requirements, students pursuing a degree or certificate in English must meet the following minimum criteria to be considered for admission:
- Students should have completed a minimum of five (5) undergraduate English courses beyond the first-year level with a “B” or better, or have a record of experience in the field of English literature.
- If you are a Master of Arts in English or a Teaching College English certificate applicant, your writing sample must be a literary analysis that closely examines a text.
- If you are a Master of Arts in Creative Writing and Publishing applicant, your writing sample must be a creative sample or a portfolio of works in one of the three main genres (poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction).
Diversity Leadership - Unique Requirements
The MA in Diversity Leadership program has unique application requirements, class calendar, and tuition rates.
Music Education – Additional Requirements
In addition to the general application requirements, music education students are required to submit additional information per MAME requirements.
- Students must have a baccalaureate degree and a major in music or music education from an accredited college or university.
- A video performance assessment demonstrating music performance ability in piano, voice or other instrumental performance. You must perform two different selections showing contrasting styles from any style or genre. If an accompaniment exists for the works being performed, then the recording must include that accompaniment. In addition, all applicants should sing a simple, short (no more than 16 bars), unaccompanied melody of their choosing. The intention is to assess an applicant’s ability to sing in tune--we are not concerned with the vocal quality of instrumentalists. Performance(s) should be uploaded as public links to YouTube and can be combined into one video. Audio recordings will not be accepted.
- All students admitted to the Master of Arts in Music Education program will also complete a diagnostic exam in Music History and Theory.
Spanish – Additional Requirements
In addition to the general application requirements, students pursuing a certificate in Spanish cultures, literature, and linguistics must submit the following and meet the following criteria to be considered for admission:
- Minimum five (5) undergraduate Spanish courses beyond the second-year level with a “B” or better
- The writing sample must be written in Spanish that is a close, analytical reading of a text, cultural phenomenon or linguistic phenomenon rather than a broad overview of a topic.
- A two-minute audio recording of you speaking Spanish and English. The audio recording can be submitted via a shared link in the application, or emailed as an attachment directly to the Director of Graduate Studies in Spanish.
Non-Degree Students
Non-degree students will submit the following application documents and meet the minimum criteria to be considered for admission:
- Completed online application
- Official college transcript(s)
- Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
- A personal statement no longer than 500 words indicating your interest in pursuing graduate study.
Please consult with your respective program if you plan to continue your studies as a degree- or certificate-seeking student.
Graduate Student Handbook and Course Catalog
The CAS Graduate Student Handbook and Course Catalog outlines requirements and policies for students in our graduate programs and compiles information on all of the college's graduate courses. Any issues not mentioned in this handbook are governed by general University of St. Thomas Graduate Policies.