Music Education
To ensure that students’ music education is well-rounded and creatively inspired, Texas State offers a large variety of performing opportunities, including participation in opera productions, choir, orchestra, concert and marching bands, chamber ensembles, award-winning mariachi and salsa ensembles, and other vibrant cultural music groups.
The music programs prepare students to excel in the disciplines of music teaching, history, conducting, composition, theory, and performance.
Contact The Graduate College for general questions about getting started with your application, funding your degree, and more.
If you have program-specific questions after reviewing the program details, we encourage you to contact the following:
Graduate Advisor
Dr. Michael Ippolito
michaelippolito@txstate.edu
512.245.1462
Music (MUS), Room 149
Advisor Support
Dr. Alton Corley
ac44@txstate.edu
512.245.7387
Music (MUS), Room 109
“My experience at Texas State intensified my passion for music and music history. I received two years of quality education and experience that will forever impact my future endeavors.”
— Robert Zipp, M.M. ’16
Course Work
The master of music (M.M.) in music education degree requires 36 credit hours. Degrees can be completed in two years or three summers.
Concentrations include: choral music, general music, instrumental music, and Kodály pedagogy.
| Degree | Concentration | Hours | Thesis Option | Minor Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M.M. | Choral Music | 36 | Non-Thesis | No minor |
| M.M. | General Music | 36 | Non-Thesis | No minor |
| M.M. | Instrumental Music | 36 | Non-Thesis | No minor |
| M.M. | Kodály Pedagogy* | 36 | Non-Thesis | No minor |
*Applications for this concentration are no longer being accepted until further notice.
Program Mission
Somos Músicos — “We are Musicians” — expresses with simplicity the solidarity of purpose and cooperation within an extraordinary community of musical artists, scholars, and composers: the students and faculty of the School of Music. The unified mission is threefold: to make music together, to develop the self and the art of music, and to contribute value to society.
Program Faculty
The music faculty at Texas State received their training from the finest conservatories and universities in the world, including the Peabody Institute, Indiana University, New York University, Manhattan School of Music, Michigan State University, Eastman School of Music, Juilliard School, Northwestern University, the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas at Austin, to name a few.
Career Options
Students will find a variety of career options:
- authoring or editing music publications
- composing/arranging music for film, professional ensembles, or commercial projects
- conducting professional ensembles
- performing with opera companies, symphony orchestras,
- jazz ensembles or Latin ensembles
- teaching in public or private schools, colleges, and private studios
- writing professional articles and textbooks
Application Process
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Application Deadline This program has a flexible deadline, which means applications received after the posted deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, with no guarantees for admission consideration. |
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Funding Information Applications must be complete by the priority deadline to be considered for certain types of funding. |
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Decision Timeline This program reviews applications on a rolling basis. |
Application Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
Application Fee(s)
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
OR - $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
Transcripts & GPA
- baccalaureate degree in music from a regionally accredited university
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- minimum 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
- certification to teach public school music. Read additional information below.
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
GRE Scores
- GRE not required
Documents & Other Requirements
- audition/portfolio and interview (Requirements vary by concentration. Visit the department's website for detailed instructions.)
- resume/CV (maximum three pages) including name, address, email address, education (degrees or special certifications), professional experience, scholarship awards, special recognitions, articles or presentations, selected community activity, and other information pertinent to the desired degree and concentration
- statement of purpose (400-600 words with your name and email in the header) addressing the following:
- What experiences have you had in your selected music concentration?
- What qualities, values, characteristics, and/or skills do you possess that make you a strong candidate for your selected program at Texas State?
- What do you hope to gain from the program, and how does this relate to your personal and professional goals?
- Discuss your plans to pursue doctoral studies as well, if applicable.
- three letters of recommendation
Review important information about documents.
TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS Scores
Applicants are required to submit TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS scores that meet the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.0
Review important information about official test scores.