Program Admission

Admission to the Master of Music in Composition program is granted to students who meet the requirements of both the Graduate School and the School of Music & Dance. Application for admission to the Graduate School should be made to the Office of Admissions, where undergraduate transcripts are evaluated. Transcripts should be forwarded to the Office of Admissions at the time of application.

Admission requirements are as follows:

1. Undergraduate degree in music, or its equivalent;
2. At least two original compositions;
3. A personal statement summarizing plans for graduate study;
4. Two letters of recommendation;
5. Music Theory Graduate Placement Exam (see below for additional details);
6. Interview with composition faculty may be required.

Conditional Admission

Students deficient in a requirement for degree admission may be granted conditional admission, subject to removal of the deficiency while beginning graduate study. Hours earned in making up deficiencies are in addition to those normally required for the degree.

Music Theory Graduate Placement Exam

Students must achieve an acceptable score (70% or higher) on the Music Theory Placement Exam prior to enrolling in MUSC 511 , MUSC 512 , MUSC 513 , MUSC 516 , or MUSC 517 . The Music Theory Graduate Placement Exam may be taken only one time. 

Students who fail to achieve an acceptable score must complete MUSC 509 - Graduate Theory Review  (2 hrs) with a  B or better, prior to enrolling in MUSC 511, MUSC 512, MUSC 513, MUSC 516, or MUSC 517. Students placed into MUSC 509 are allowed to take the course only one time. Any student who does not earn a B or better in the course, will not be allowed to continue in the graduate program. MUSC 509 does not count towards degree requirements.

School Information

Music & Dance, College of Arts & Sciences

W. Doug Baker, Ph.D. | Director (Interim) | N101 Alexander | 734.487.4380 | wbakerii@emich.edu

Advisor Information

David Pierce, D.M.A. | N101 Alexander | 734.487.4380 | dpierce@emich.edu

Upon admission to the School of Music & Dance, each student will meet with the graduate advisor for assistance in planning a curriculum.

Exit Requirements

In addition to Graduate School requirements, School of Music & Dance requirements are as follows:

Comprehensive Review in Composition | All graduate students must pass an examination covering their major field of study. The examination may be written and/or oral in format, as determined by the student’s faculty committee. Written examinations will consist of three to five essay questions and must be completed in three hours or less. Oral examinations will last approximately one hour.

The examination will occur when the student’s prescribed course work is substantially completed, in the anticipated semester of graduation. In addition, the student must complete the thesis, recital, or other culminating experience prior to taking the examination. Exceptions to this policy may occur only with the approval of the student’s faculty committee and the school director. The examination will be graded Pass/Fail and can be taken no more than three times.

The examination will be evaluated be a committee consisting of the student’s faculty advisor, an additional faculty member from music theory, and a faculty member from outside the major field. The specific makeup of the faculty committee will be determined by the student in consultation with the faculty advisor and must be approved by the school director. If a student is unable to form a faculty committee, it will be formed by the school director in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor.

Thesis | (original composition for orchestra with the intent of performance) The composition will be rehearsed (20 minutes) and recorded (10 minutes) by the EMU Symphony Orchestra. The student composer will pay for recording and editing costs.

Degree Requirements: 30 hours

The M.M. in Composition requires the completion of 30 hours of course work to be distributed among supportive studies, major field and electives as follows:

Students must earn a grade of a B or higher in all Supportive Studies and Major Field courses. If a grade lower than a B is earned in any course, the student must retake the course and receive a B or higher, before the credits for that course can be counted toward their degree.