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Graduate programs in music

A person wearing a suit is seated and playing a piano while a person seated behind them plays a violin in a large, multi-seat and empty theatre.

The School of Music offers a wide range of graduate studies, including masters and doctoral degrees, and coursework leading to teacher certification. Graduate students are equipped to meet their own distinctive goals through close interaction with nationally and internationally recognized faculty members in music performance, theory and composition, music education, ethnomusicology, and musicology.

Graduate assistantships

We offer competitive graduate assistantships which include 100% tuition waiver and stipends ranging from $8,500 to $21,000 per year depending on level of study and hourly commitment.

Doctor of Musical Arts

The Doctor of Musical Arts degree is a terminal degree designed to equip the next generation of leaders in music. Advanced study of the instrument, voice, or conducting is combined with core studies in Music History and Music Theory and guided by close faculty advising. The course of study encourages creativity and flexibility and includes a media based project component, coursework related to careers in higher education, and the opportunity for interdisciplinary study in fields outside of music.

Beyond the one-year required residency, a flexible course schedule can accommodate practicing professionals and their concurrent commitments. Graduates of this degree may be placed in faculty positions at institutions of higher education, advance in salary or position within in K-12 teaching, be placed as professional performers, or combine facets of advanced music performance with careers in related fields.

Areas of emphasis include the following:

  • Conducting: Wind, orchestral
  • Performance: Woodwind, brass, percussion, voice, strings, or piano

For program information, contact Julianne Lindberg, Director of Graduate Studies by email at jlindberg@unr.edu.

Program requirements

Review program requirements for the Doctor of Musical Arts in the course catalog.

Program faculty

Meet program faculty for the Doctor in Musical Arts.

Graduate auditions

Review audition requirements for graduate programs in the School of Music.

Master of Music in Performance

The Master of Music in Performance degree is founded on discipline-specific coursework and serves students ready to enhance their previous experience in music. The program supports each student’s career, artistic, and scholarly goals through study in a primary area and enriching courses in Music History and Music Theory.

Graduates of this degree may advance to doctoral studies, accept teaching positions in K-12 schools or higher education, be placed as professional performers, work as free-lance composers, or combine facets of music performance with careers in related fields.

Areas of emphasis include the following:

  • Instrumental or Vocal Performance
  • Orchestral Career Studies
  • Jazz & Improvisational Music
  • Composition
  • Choral or Wind Conducting

For program information, contact Julianne Lindberg, Director of Graduate Studies by email at jlindberg@unr.edu.

Program requirements

Review program requirements for the Master of Music in Performance in the course catalog.

Program faculty

Meet program faculty for the Master of Music in Music Performance.

Graduate auditions

Review audition requirements for graduate programs in the School of Music.

Master of Music in Music Education

The Master of Music in Music Education degree offers development of advanced concepts and skills to students who are experienced music educators. The program supports each student’s specific career and pedagogical goals and includes enriching courses in applied and ensemble performance, Music History and Music Theory.

Accessible course schedules allow for students to attend full-time or they may attend part-time alongside concurrent professional commitments. Graduates of this program may advance in positions, salary, or rank within K-12 teaching, or be admitted into doctoral programs. The degree may be combined with additional coursework that leads to licensure in Βι¶ΉΣ³»­ or other states in the Western US.

For program information, contact Kate Pollard, Coordinator of Music Education by email at cpollard@unr.edu.

Program requirements

Review program requirements for the Master of Music in Music Education in the course catalog.

Program faculty

Meet program faculty for the Master of Music in Music Education.

Graduate auditions

Review audition requirements for graduate programs in the School of Music.

Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology and Musicology

The Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology and Musicology degree brings offerings in ethnomusicology, musicology, and music history courses that examine music and sound using highly interdisciplinary approaches. Through diverse classes on topics ranging from American and Caribbean music, gender and sexuality studies, film and television music, popular music, ecology, world music, theater, and musics of the African diaspora, students are equipped with the skills and knowledge to interpret music within its broader cultural and social contexts.

For program information, contact Julianne Lindberg, Director of Graduate Studies by email at jlindberg@unr.edu.

Program requirements

Review program requirements for the Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology and Musicology in the course catalog.

Program faculty

Meet program faculty for the Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology and Musicology.

Graduate auditions

Review audition requirements for graduate programs in the School of Music.