Master of Sacred Music (MSM) at Boston University

Programme overview

The Master of Sacred Music (MSM) program at Boston University is at the forefront of professional training in sacred music. Students are prepared for leadership roles in communities of faith and as performers, scholars, and teachers using the incomparable resources of the College of Fine Arts–School of Music and School of Theology.

Faculty: School of Theology | Study mode: full-time | Location: Boston, MA, United States

What you will study

Theology requirements are taken in sequence to ensure that the student builds on previous knowledge and must be taken at the School of Theology. Exceptions are rarely approved, and then only in cases of emergency.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants for the Master of Sacred Music must hold a BA or its equivalent and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. In addition, applicants must have basic skills in music, including courses in theory, music history, and choral conducting or organ. The degree program may exceed two years (four terms) if remedial work is required in any aspect of the program. The deadline to be considered for fall admission is January 1.

USD 25,280 a year (2026-27). School of Theology full-time tuition for 2026-27 (listed for 'DMin & Other Graduate Programs'), per year. Part-time $1,053 per credit (DMin $790). Tuition only. Source

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences master's programmes admit for Fall 2027; Spring 2027 entry is offered for selected programmes (Economics MS programmes, History of Art & Architecture MA, Preservation Studies MA, Online MS in Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence).

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Fall 2027 master's deadlines are mostly priority January 15 and final March 15 (African American & Black Diaspora Studies priority February 15, final March 15; Preservation Studies February 15; Sociology and History of Art & Architecture January 15). Spring 2027 deadlines for selected programmes are priority October 15 and final November 15. Applications are submitted through the online application; the GRE is required only for the Economics MS/MA programmes and the MS in Psychological & Brain Sciences.

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