Music Education (Master's) at Michigan State University

Programme overview

The Master of Music in Music Education (Summer Program) at the Michigan State University College of Music is delivered in summer sessions; most required coursework is offered only in summer, so the degree cannot be completed in fall and spring semesters alone. It is aimed at music educators holding a bachelor's degree in music education.

Faculty: College of Music | Intake: Summer | Study mode: full-time | Location: East Lansing, MI, United States

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Regular admission requires a bachelor's degree in music education from a recognized institution, or completion of the music education courses required for the MSU Bachelor of Music in music education or their equivalents. Graduate Application and College of Music Supplemental Application, both due December 1. Applicants select the summer-only programme and a summer entry term. Unofficial transcripts and diplomas; curriculum vitae (for fellowship or assistantship consideration); personal statement of 300-500 words; three letters of recommendation (submitted through the Graduate Application). Optional teaching video (up to 15 minutes) by December 1 for New Directions scholarship consideration. International applicants whose native language is not English (College of Music minimums for master's degrees in music education, music theory or musicology): TOEFL iBT 88 (no subscore below 19, writing at least 22; for tests taken after January 12, 2026: 4.5 overall), IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0), PTE Academic 59, Duolingo 121 (temporarily accepted). A language exam is required regardless of previous study in the United States.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applicants can start in fall (late August), spring (January) or summer (May) in the MPH programme; intake terms for other graduate programmes are set by each department or program.

The graduate application fee is $75 for domestic and international applicants, with one fee per application; applicants may submit up to two applications to different graduate majors per semester. Applications are reviewed by the department or program, which sets its own deadlines.

MPH application deadlines (SOPHAS completion): fall May 18, spring October 18, summer February 15; MSU supplemental application: fall June 1, spring November 1, summer March 1.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/graduate-students

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