Masters Handbook
Introduction
This handbook is intended to familiarize the student with the basic options and minimum requirements necessary for the Master of Music degree in the College of Musical Arts. It supplements but does not replace information contained in the official publications of the Graduate College. For full information concerning the Graduate College, admission procedures, costs and financial aid, academic regulations and general requirements, the student should consult the online Graduate Catalog.
The contents of the catalog and this handbook are updated annually. However, the University has the authority to make changes in policies, degree programs, requirements, course offerings, class schedules, and other aspects of its programs. These changes supersede any specifications appearing in official publicaitons of the University. Where possible, links to specific Graduate College policies are provided here. Please click below for the Graduate College policies:
Prospective students should consult with the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies in the College of Musical Arts concerning programmatic and curricular changes.
Graduate Faculty
All full-time CMA faculty (tenured, tenure-track, and QRF) are members of the graduate faculty. For a list of faculty members, please see the CMA Faculty & Staff Directory.
Degree Options
The Master of Music degree program encompasses ten fields with specializations as follows:
Collaborative Piano
Composition
Conducting
- Choral Conducting
- Orchestral Conducting
Ethnomusicology
Jazz Studies
Music Education
- Comprehensive Music Education
- Choral Music Education
- Instrumental Music Education
- Music Education: Teaching Artistry (100% online)
Music History
Performance
- Instrumental
- Instrumental Specialist (primary and two secondary instruments)
- Piano
- Voice
Piano Pedagogy
Vocal Pedagogy
Each degree program is constructed to provide the student with an in-depth understanding of the major field, a broad exposure to other aspects of the art, and research/creative experience in the area of specialization.
Each program requires between 30 and 38 semester hours, depending on the field and area of specialization. Students entering without deficiencies can complete the program in two years; any deficiencies may prolong the program. Most of these hours are specified as core requirements appropriate to the student’s emphasis and will vary depending on the major field. Most specializations require at least 11 additional hours (35%) devoted to studies in music outside of the major. This requirement may be fulfilled by a combination of academic courses, applied study, and ensemble participation. The remaining hours (21%) constitute a two- or three-course sequence in research/creative activity. Research Techniques (MuCT 6020), required in some programs, provides the student with a knowledge of music bibliography and research strategies. Directed Research (MuEd 6900) is concerned with research tools appropriate to the major and with the development of a research proposal. Contemporary Music Literature and Styles (MuCT 6700) is a survey of music written since 1945 for students in the Master of Music in Composition degree. Directed Research (MusP 6900) focuses on a knowledge of music bibliography, research strategies, and professional development for the performer. The final project (thesis, final composition, or recital/portfolio – MuCT/ MuEd /MusP 6990; MuCT/MusP 6980) represents the culmination of the degree, in which the student demonstrates the ability to plan and carry out independent scholarly and/or creative activity.
For specific information regarding qualifying/comprehensive examinations and culminating project requirements, please see the CMA Master's Final Project Handbook. [provide link when in HTML format]
Dual Specializations, Dual Degrees, Second Master's
Options and Limitations for Completing Two Master’s Degree Programs in the College of Musical Arts
Graduate students who wish to pursue two fields of study have three options at the master’s degree level: dual specialization, dual master’s degrees, and second master’s degree. Depending on the two areas chosen, there are limitations to which options students can pursue:
The dual specialization option requires that both specializations fall under the same program, i.e., the same “program code.” In the College of Musical Arts, specializations are grouped in the following way:
- Conducting: Orchestral Conducting, Choral Conducting
- Music Education: Choral, Instrumental, Comprehensive
- Music Performance: Instrumental Performance, Instrumental Specialist, Jazz Studies, Piano Performance, Voice Performance
- Pedagogy: Piano Pedagogy, Vocal Pedagogy
Therefore, a student could pursue a dual specialization in Piano Performance and Jazz Studies, for example, but not in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy because these specializations fall under two different programs.
(Note that the following programs are not eligible for dual specialization: Collaborative Piano, Ethnomusicology, Music Composition, and Music History.)
On the other hand, dual and second master’s degrees must not fall under the same program (i.e., it is not possible to complete dual degrees in Piano Performance and Jazz Studies) and only 9 credit hours can be shared between them.
Students interested in any of these options should contact the CMA's Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies as soon as possible to make a degree plan. All applications for the dual specialization, dual degrees, and second master’s must be reviewed and approved by the BGSU Graduate College. Students should note that it often takes more than four semesters to complete these two-program options.
Select the following links for the Graduate College policy.
Graduate Admission Procedures and Requirements
The College of Musical Arts will notify the Graduate College and the student of the college’s recommendation concerning acceptance as soon as all materials are received and any necessary auditions and interviews have been completed. BGSU Graduate Admissions will notify the student directly concerning official acceptance into the graduate program. Notification will be sent as soon as all materials have been received.
Application and Admissions Requirements
Audition and Interview Requirements
Policy for Diagnostic Tests and Remediation Examinations
Graduate Assistantships
Graduate assistants are selected based on competitive auditions and interviews. Graduate assistants work in carefully selected academic or administrative settings under the supervision of music faculty members.
Graduate assistants in music are given a load assignment of 11 hours per week for a 1/4-time assistantship, 15 hours per week for a 3/8-time assistantship, and 20 hours per week for a 1/2-time assistantship. In return, the University pays a stipend and provides partial to full tuition scholarships for instructional fees and non-resident fees, but not the general fee, applied lesson fee, the music usage fee, and other miscellaneous fees.
To be considered for a graduate assistantship, a student should:
- For current BGSU students – Complete the Application for Graduate Assistantship Form (email jfreela@bgsu.edu to get the form) and return it to the Graduate Secretary.
For potential BGSU students – Complete the section of the Graduate College Application concerning assistantships. In the application, the student can schedule a time for a campus audition/interview. Please note that all assistantships require a live audition and/or interview. The only exception are studio assistantships, which may be awarded based on a recorded audition. - When listing assistantship interests, the applicant should take care to list all areas in which they wish to be considered so that all necessary auditions and interviews can be scheduled in a single visit.
For information about open assistantships, audition/interview requirements, and job descriptions, please see Assistantships and Scholarships.
GAs working off campus (lab schools) need to fill out HR telecommuting form every semester:
- Telecommute Form
- Student must initiate the form themselves
- List the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies as supervisor
- This work is an approved exception from completing work on campus, because these GA lines are being sponsored by external entities and require you to leave campus to complete the work.
Student Advising
The College of Musical Arts offers numerous advising opportunities to assist students in all facets of their academic careers. The Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies advises students on all aspects of graduate assistantships, financial aid, and contractual obligations. Departmental/area advisors assist with course selection and degree completion. They are also the student's first stop for specific questions on the area of specialization, degree programs, schedules, academic concerns, and projected completion dates.
Departmental/Area Advisors:
Master of Music Composition: Dr. Chris Dietz (for AY2026–27, Dr. Marilyn Shrude)
Master of Music Education: Dr. Elaine Colprit
Master of Ethnomusicology: Dr. Kathy Meizel (for Fall 2026, Dr. Sidra Lawrence)
Master of Music History: Dr. Eftychia Papanikolaou
Master of Music Performance: Dr. Susan Nelson
Music Certificate and Dual Degree/Specialization: Dr. Greg Decker
Master of Music Applied Study
Applied lessons are limited-enrollment courses, with registration priority given to students in the performance option for whom applied study is a degree requirement. Others are accommodated on a space-available basis and must confer with the appropriate faculty member by the end of the first week of class. Students enrolled in M.M. programs that are not performance-orientated who wish to give a recital during their residence should discuss this with their applied instructor at the earliest opportunity. Students wishing to take lessons on an instrument or in voice who cannot pass a graduate level audition in that medium should enroll for secondary applied instruction (5000-level lessons).
Courses of Study
For credit hour, course, and culminating project requirements, please see the MM check sheets.
Updated: 08/19/2026 09:10PM