Master of Music in Composition

The faculty of the College of Music has modeled the MM degree programs at CU Boulder after the guiding principles outlined by the National Association of Schools of Music. The purpose of Master of Music degree work is to refine skills in music performance, music composition, research and writing, and pedagogy. There are numerous fields of study within the Master of Music program: composition, conducting, music theory, performance, and performance with pedagogy. The musicology program admits students only at the PhD level.

The master of music degree provides advanced studies in performance, performance/pedagogy, composition (with an optional emphasis in technology), music theory, and conducting (choral, orchestral, and wind). Areas of emphasis in performance and performance/pedagogy include all band and orchestral instruments, guitar, harp, harpsichord, jazz, organ, piano, and voice. Each of the MM degrees incorporates studies in the major area, support courses in music electives, and thesis/recital work.

At the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music, graduate offerings include the Artist Diploma, Master of Music, Master of Music Education, Doctor of Musical Arts and PhD programs in performance and academic areas, as well as post-baccalaureate professional performance certificates, and graduate certificates in music theory and arts administration.Academic history + transcripts: As part of the online application, upload an unofficial copy of each academic transcript on the online application. Follow these instructions for submitting an unofficial transcript. Official transcripts are not required until after you have been recommended for admission.
Test scores: The GRE general test is strongly encouraged, but not required, for the MM in music theory. Applicants to the Master of Music Education with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 must submit GRE scores to be considered for admission. Note: Students must take the GRE by early fall, in order to ensure receipt of scores before the Dec. 1 application deadline. The University of Colorado Boulder's GRE code is 4841.
International applicants: A valid TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test score is required of all international graduate applicants whose native language is not English. Applicants to the Fall 2024 semester may also use the Duolingo English Test to satisfy this requirement. International students who have completed at least one year of full-time academic study at a U.S. institution (or at an institution in a country where English is the native language) at the time they apply and within two years from their desired admission term may request an English proficiency score waiver. Requests will be evaluated by the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies at the College of Music and subject to approval. You may submit a request via email to graduate.music@colorado.edu. Please have the application completed with requested supplemental materials uploaded and ready to submit before submitting your request. An acceptable score must be reported directly to the Office of Admissions by the Dec. 1 deadline in order for the application to be complete. The code to have scores sent to the University of Colorado Boulder is 4841. Be sure to take the exam by early fall to meet this deadline. Note: Be sure that your TOEFL score includes all portions of the examination. For more information, visit the Graduate School's website.
The minimum acceptable English proficiency exam scores for admission to the College of Music are:
All master's degree programs: TOEFL 80