Music MM

Continue your music education with one of the oldest music schools in the country.

What You'll Study

A master's degree in music can take you to new heights in several diverse career opportunities.

In the graduate program, there are six different areas of focus to choose from, allowing you to personalize your degree to your specialty. You'll take concentration specific courses, as well as self-selected classes from the following areas:

  • Music theory and composition
  • Music history
  • Music education
  • Pedagogy
  • Music literature

You'll complete your degree with a thesis project.

The faculty and staff in the Dana School of Music are dedicated to your musical growth. With their help, you'll find a tailored, truly immersive music master's program at Youngstown State University.

Degree

You will have the opportunity to choose one of the concentrations below. Admission requirements differ for each area of focus. Graduate assistantships are available and will be considered until all positions are filled.

Program Overview
Admission Requirements

  • Music Education Track

    Upon completion of the program, you'll be able to teach music in an educational setting or move on to a PhD program. Courses are designed to give you a solid mix of music theory and history, and music education classes to complete your degree.

    Course Listing

  • Music History and Literature Track

    You'll complete coursework in music history and music literature, theory and a combination of classes from the self-selected list of focus areas. The degree can be completed in 32 semester hours.

    Curriculum

  • Music Theory and Composition Track

     

    To gain admittance into the theory and composition concentration, you will need to submit evidence of compositional and analytical work. Once you're accepted, you'll enter into a program designed to meet your needs. Courses will be theory, composition and music history focused. You'll also diversify your coursework with classes from other concentrations.

    Curriculum

  • Jazz Studies Track

    Before entering the program, you will audition on your principal instrument, submit evidence of compositional and arranging activity, show your ability with scholarly writing and interview. Once you begin the program, courses will be a combination of jazz studies, research, music theory, music history, ensembles and a thesis project.

    Curriculum

  • Music Performance Track

    Upon admittance into the program with a successful audition on your principal instrument, you'll take courses focused in music theory and music literature. You'll also take courses in other focus areas including pedagogy, music education and a thesis at the end of the program.

    Curriculum

  • Music Performance (Conducting) Track

    Admission into the program is contingent on an audition or interview that displays your skills in conducting. The program includes courses in conducting, vocal and instrumental, history, theory and music literature. You will also choose five credit hours of electives in other focus areas.

    Curriculum