Master of Arts in Music

The Master of Arts in Music is structured to meet all accreditation standards by the National Association of Schools of Music, of which the UCF Music Department is a fully accredited member. The curriculum is designed with the flexibility to allow each student, in consultation with an advisor, to develop a program that fits the needs and interests of individual students. The course schedule is designed to accommodate the needs of working professionals, with most graduate courses scheduled in late afternoons or evenings. The Music Department plans to develop a summer-only component that allows music teachers to fulfill all coursework requirements in consecutive summers.

Prospective M.A. students must complete the UCF Graduate Application and department's M.A. Supplemental Application. Students may have aditional instrument/voice admission audition requirements. Limited number of Graduate Teaching Assistantships are available for fall 2010 and all prospective students are encouraged to apply using the department's Graduate Teaching Assistantship Form.

Students can attend summer graduate workshops or other graduate courses as a nondegree student. Admission to UCF as a nondegree seeking student is required.

For more information about admissions and program requirements and university graduate policies, consult the UCF Graduate Catalog.

More Information

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can you describe the Master of Arts in Music program?

    The Master of Arts in Music is a post-baccalaureate degree, consisting of 30-34 credit hours. The philosophy of this program is to provide graduate students with the advanced education, skills, and credentials to enhance their professional abilities and opportunities. Area music educators need and seek advanced study in music content areas to improve their teaching skills; area professional musicians often do not have graduate degrees and need them for career advancement; students graduating with bachelor's degree from UCF and other schools often wish to continue or begin their study in the Orlando area in order to take advantage of the many employment opportunities in music in central Florida. This program is designed to address this demand.

  • How is the M.A. in Music different from an M.M.?

    The M.A. in Music allows more flexibility in the curriculum and in structuring specialty areas as needed than the M.M.

  • I have a job that I don't want to quit. Can I work on the M.A. as a part-time or in the summer?

    Yes. The course offering schedule will accommodate full-time professionals by offering evening courses during the academic year plus numerous courses in the summer.

  • Can I major in a specific area, such as performance or music education?

    The degree initially will not have "tracks," but it has flexibility to allow students to focus on specific areas of interest, such as performance, conducting, music education, etc.

  • Does the UCF Music Department ever plan to offer a M.M.?

    The Music Department may consider a Master of Music in the future. However, the Master of Arts in Music has the flexibility to allow students to focus on their areas of interest.

  • What are the admission requirements?

    See the requirements in the UCF Graduate Catalog

  • How do I apply for admission?

    For information on general UCF admissions requirements that apply to all perspective students, please visit the Admissions and Registration section of the UCF Graduate Catalog Applicants must apply online. Please be sure to submit all requested material by the established deadline(s).

    Meeting minimum UCF admission criteria does not guarantee program admission. Final admission is based on evaluation of the applicant's abilities, past performance, recommendations, match of this program and faculty expertise to the applicant's career/academic goals, and the applicant's potential for completing the degree.

  • What are the deadlines for admission?

    Application deadlines can be on the UCF Graduate Catalog entry for Music M.A.

  • Where can I get more information about graduate studies at UCF?

    The UCF College of Graduate Studies Web site.

  • Do you have assistantships or scholarships?

    We expect to have a limited number of Graduate Teaching Assistantships for full-time master's students during the fall and spring semesters. Application and supporting materials for 2010-2011 Graduate Teaching Assistantships must be received by February 20, 2010. Written notification of awards will be sent approximately March 30, 2010. Applications will not be considered unless the student has applied for admission to the M.A. in Music. At this time, there are no scholarship funds dedicated for M.A. students.

  • What about other financial support?

    Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see Financing Grad School, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource. Key points about financial support:

    • If you are interested in financial assistance, you are strongly encouraged to apply for admission early. A complete application for admission, including all supporting documents, must be received by the priority date listed for your program under "Admissions."
    • You must be admitted to a graduate program before the university can consider awarding financial assistance to you.
    • If you want to be considered for loans and other needs-based financial assistance, review the UCF Student Financial Assistance website at http://finaid.ucf.edu and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Student Financial Aid) form, which is available online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Apply early and allow up to six weeks for the FAFSA form to be processed.
    • UCF Graduate Studies awards university graduate fellowships, with most decisions based on nominations from the colleges and programs. To be eligible for a fellowship, students must be accepted as a graduate student in a degree program and be enrolled full-time. Because these awards are made early in the year, only completed applications on file by January 15 can receive full consideration for nominated awards. University graduate fellowships are awarded based on academic merit and therefore are not affected by FAFSA determination of need.
    • Please note that select fellowships do require students to fill out a fellowship application (either a university fellowship application, an external fellowship application, or a college or school fellowship application). For university fellowship applications, see Financing Grad School.
    • For information on assistantships (including teaching, research, and general graduate assistantships) or tuition support, contact the graduate program director of your major.

  • What are the audition requirements and when can I audition?

    Check the Audition Requirements page or contact the appropriate applied music teacher for information about audition requirements. You may audition on one of our regular audition days, or you may request a special audition. For more information contact Libby Beliveau at 407-823-2869 or lbelivea@mail.ucf.edu.

  • How is the curriculum structured?

    The UCF M.A. in Music is construed by our accreditation agency, the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), as a general master's degree, to provide additional study and training in music to individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree in music or the equivalent. The general nature of this degree will allow students to pursue a variety of interests within music, such as performance, conducting, jazz studies, music education, and composition. The curriculum consists of 30ñ34 credit hours in three components:

    • Required Core Music Courses: consisting of a research methods course, advanced courses in musicology and music theory, performance, and a research project (13-17 hours)
    • Other Studies in Music: Course selections in this area will be in a cognate or area of emphasis with approval by program advisor; e.g., Performance, Conducting, Composition, Music History, Music Theory, Music Education, Jazz Studies, etc. (9 hours)
    • Elective Studies in Supportive Areas: Graduate level music courses or non-music courses selected by the student in consultation with the advisor (8 hours)

  • Are courses offered online?

    The department plans to offer a limited number of online courses in the M.A. in Music.