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Graduate Degrees

Graduate programs in music lead to the Master of Music, the Master of Arts degree and the Master of Arts in Music Education degrees and are intended to further the development of competency and intellectual maturity. Two tracks are available under the Master of Music program: Master of Music in Performance and Master of Music in Conducting. Three tracks are also available under the Master of Arts in Music Education program: Instrumental Track, Choral Track and the Elementary/General Music Track which is available as an "On-line" degree program. See specific degree requirements below. Two degree plans are available to the graduate music student.


1. Thesis Plan: 30 semester hours of work including Music 589 - Thesis Research (3 hrs.) and Music 590 - Thesis Writing (3 hrs.).

2. Non-thesis Plan: 36 semester hours of work.

A professional certificate for school supervisors with an emphasis in music is available through the College of Education.

SFA Graduate Bulletin

Graduate Admission Procedures

Master of Music in Performance Degree - PDF check sheet
The Master of Music in Performance degree program requires twelve hours of applied study, three hours of repertoire, two hours of ensemble, and three hours of pedagogy in addition to the twelve-hour core required of all students. Two recitals are required and students may elect six hours of electives from a wide variety of music classes.

Master of Music in Performance/Accompanying Degree - PDF check sheet

Master of Music in Conducting Degree - PDF check sheet
The Master of Music in Conducting degree program requires twelve hours of applied conducting, six hours of literature classes in the conducting area, two semester of ensemble, and one conducting recital in addition the core classes. The program also allows six elective hours chosen from a broad list of music classes.

Master of Arts Degree in Music - PDF check sheet
The Master of Arts degree in music requires a twelve-hour core [consisting of MHL 531 - Music Bibliography, MTC 526 - Stylistic Analysis, two of the period history classes (MHL 521 - 525), and two hours of either applied study or ensemble] and at least twelve additional hours in allied areas of music. Up to twelve additional hours may be taken outside music if following the thirty-six hour plan. A thirty-hour thesis plan is also available under this degree title.

Master of Arts in Music Education: Instrumental Track - PDF check sheet
Master of Arts in Music Education: Vocal Track -
PDF check sheet
The Master of Arts in Music Education degree program requires MUS 572 - Psychology of Music, MUS 578 - Music Research Seminar, six hours of literature study in the band or choral area and from six to twelve hours of music electives in addition to the core classes. Students may elect to complete a thesis under this program in which case the thesis work replaces part of the elective options and the number of hours in the program is reduced from thirty-six to thirty.

Master of Arts in Music Education: Elementary/General Music Track -
PDF check sheet
The Master of Arts in Music Education - Elementary/General Music Track is available as an "On-line" degree program. It is designed for teachers who are unable to come to the campus for instruction on a regular basis. The course content is delivered over the Internet. The curriculum requires the 12-hour music core, MUE 540 - Music Research Seminar, MUE 541 - Psychology of Music, MUE 542 - Foundations in Music Education, MUE 543 - Current Trends in Music Education and six to twelve hours of music education electives, depending on whether or not the thesis option is used.


School of Music
Stephen F. Austin State University
Box 13043, SFA Station
Nacogdoches, TX 75962-3043
Phone: 936-468-4602 | Fax: 936-468-5810
Dr. Ron Anderson, Chair
Roni Lias, Webmaster

Copyright © 2003 - 2006, School of Music at Stephen F. Austin State University
Last Updated: Monday, October 15, 2007