MA Music at Stanford University

Programme overview

The Department of Music at Stanford combines music-making and scholarly research in composition, conducting, performance, music history, ethnomusicology, music theory, cognitive science, intermedia, and computer-based technologies. The Master of Arts (MA) in Music, Science, and Technology is the department’s only terminal master’s degree. This is a two-year program of 45 graduate-level units focusing on the integration of music perception, music-related signal processing and controllers, synthesis, performance, and composition.

Faculty: School of Humanities and Sciences | Department: Music | Duration: 45 units minimum | Study mode: full-time | Location: Stanford, CA, United States

What you will study

Programme load is 45 units minimum. Requirements are organised into: Subplan in Music, Science, and Technology; Subplan in Composition; Subplan in Ethnomusicology; Subplan in Computer-Based Music Theory and Acoustics; Subplan in History.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-level graduate admission (Graduate Admissions): a U.S. bachelor's degree or international equivalent, transcripts for every institution attended, a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and TOEFL/IELTS scores unless exempt (U.S. citizens and permanent residents, native English speakers, or applicants with English-medium degrees). Each graduate programme sets its own GRE policy (required, optional or not considered). Programme-specific criteria are set by the department.

Tuition is charged for Autumn, Winter and Spring quarters (Summer quarter also billed separately). Graduate programmes such as PhD and Master's in Computer Science admit for Autumn entry only; Education PhD and Master's programmes begin September 20, 2027.

The graduate application fee is $125, nonrefundable, payable by credit card or bank transfer from a U.S. checking account. Deadlines are set by each programme; one application per academic year may be submitted. The application for 2027 entry is open. Computer Science MS and PhD applications close December 8, 2026; Education PhD closes November 16, 2026 and Education MA/MS closes January 7, 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/apply

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