GRADUATE ADMISSIONS

The application process for the School of Music graduate degree programs is a two-part process. All prospective students must apply to both the University of Maryland Graduate School and the School of Music. We request that you fill out and submit the graduate application first, and then submit the separate School of Music application. Both applications are due December 1 unless otherwise specified.

All applicants must:

1. First apply online to the Graduate School.
   • For the program of study, please choose the applicable program for your intended major:
     • For those applying for an M.A. or a Ph.D. in ethnomusicology, your four letter program code is MUET [Music: Ethnomusicology (MUET)]
     • For those applying for an M.A. or Ph.D. in musicology or music theory, your four letter program code is MUSA [Music: Non-Education M.A. and Ph.D. (MUSA)]
     • For those applying for an M.A., M.M. or Ph.D. in Music Education, your four letter program code is MUED [Music: Education M.A., M.M., Ph.D. (MUED)]
     • For those applying for any other degree program in music (this includes all performance and composition degrees), your four letter program code is MUSC [Music: Non-Education M.M. and D.M.A. (MUSC)]
   • Statement of Purpose—The Graduate School application will ask you to upload your statement of purpose.
   • You’re required to upload a scanned version of transcripts issued by each institution attended (in English). International applicants must upload a scanned official copy of all previous degrees/diplomas and transcripts issued in the original language with a literal English translation. Please make sure the scanned copy is legible. Upon enrollment, all students will need to have an official copy sent to the Graduate School by each institution you previously attended. For a full description of the transcript requirements, please go to the FAQ section of the Graduate School's website that describes transcripts and diplomas. If you are submitting hard copies of your transcript, please mail them directly to the graduate school at the address listed below.
2. After submitting the Graduate School application, please fill out and submit the School of Music application. You should upload your repertoire list, writing samples, resume and any additional supplemental materials.
   • All applicants (excluding ethnomusicology, musicology and Ph.D. music education—for your requirements, see Graduate Program Requirements) are required to submit the same Statement of Purpose as required by the Graduate School.
   • D.M.A. Applicants: Please submit an example of your writing that demonstrates your ability to advance a scholarly argument or thesis at the graduate level. This work should follow an accepted style guide and include relevant citations. We encourage you to submit a paper that you wrote for an academic music course, but other thesis-oriented writing samples are acceptable. There is no page minimum for this requirement, but most applicants submit papers that are at least eight, double-spaced pages in length.
   • Please upload the most recent version of your resume/curriculum vitae (recommended).
   • In the School of Music application, students must list the name and email address for three recommenders, and then their recommenders will receive instructions via email to submit their letters of recommendation online. Please be aware that the School of Music faculty DO NOT review your Graduate School application. They will only review your School of Music application. Any letters of recommendation submitted on your behalf should be submitted electronically.
   • All applicants must submit transcripts in order to be considered for admission to the University of Maryland Graduate School. You may upload a scanned copy or unofficial copy of your transcript to the School of Music application. Please make sure the transcript is legible. If you have a copy of a transcript that is encrypted, please do not upload it. It will show up as a blank document. Print the document out, scan it, then upload a scanned version.
   • Performance applicants [those applying for the Music: Non-Education M.M. and D.M.A. (MUSC) program] should upload a repertoire list.
   • Composition applicants should upload your scores and recordings through the School of Music application. View the specific requirements for composition applicants.
   • For other programs, please click here to find specific information about application materials required for your program.
   • Please be aware, you will not be able to submit the School of Music application until you have filled out all required fields and uploaded all materials required for your specific program or instrument.
3. If you are applying for an area that requires pre-screening, please upload your pre-screen materials to your School of Music application.
4. Pay the music application fee when you submit your School of Music application. The fee for Master's and Ph.D. applications is $50. The fee for D.M.A. applications is $75.

Upon enrollment, hard copies of transcripts should be mailed to the Graduate School:

University of Maryland
Enrollment Services Operations
Application for Graduate Admission
0130 Mitchell Building
College Park, MD 20742

International students must follow the above requirements as well as additional requirements specific to international students such as certification of finances and English proficiency.

For complete details on international admissions requirements, consult the International Admissions page maintained by the Office of International Programs.

The Graduate School's policy on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) can be found here. PLEASE NOTE that the School of Music's requirements are slightly different than those of the Graduate School.

School of Music Requirements:

All non-native English speakers must submit a TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score. This requirement may be waived for certain applicants:

• If you have earned an undergraduate degree from an English-language institution in an approved English-speaking country and completed at least three years of coursework at that institution, you will not be required to submit a test score.
• If you have earned a graduate degree in an academic (non-performance) field from an English-language institution in an approved English-speaking country, completed at least two years of coursework at that institution, and the degree required that you write and orally defend a capstone thesis in English, then you will not be required to submit a test score. Graduate degrees in performance, performance certificates/diplomas, and graduate degrees that did not require a full thesis will not exempt an applicant from submitting a test score.

The School of Music will evaluate auditions for students able to report a MyBest TOEFL (or equivalent IELTS/PTE) score of 88 or higher.

To be considered for full admission, M.A. and M.M. applicants must submit a MyBest TOEFL (or equivalent) score of 92 or higher, with sectional superscores meeting the following requirements:

Reading: 26
Speaking: 22
Listening: 24
Writing: 20

To be considered for full admission, Ph.D. and D.M.A. applicants must submit a MyBest TOEFL score of 96 or higher, with sectional superscores meeting the following requirements:

Reading: 26
Speaking: 22
Listening: 24
Writing: 24

In order to be considered for funding (including assistantships), applicants must meet all requirements for full admission by February 15 (postponements are considered on a case-by-case basis). 

If you have any questions, please contact music admissions to determine exactly how this policy affects you. Please provide your overall score and subscores so we can more quickly answer your question.