DMA Piano Pedagogy: Music at University of South Carolina

Programme overview

Join what is considered the nation's best comprehensive piano performance program with a rich history of research and teacher training in preparation for your private or faculty-level piano teaching career. Advance your knowledge and skills with special study and research into the art and science of piano teaching at all levels of aptitude in the only comprehensive piano pedagogy program in the United States. Expand your musical background and explore areas such as music history, music theory and research.

Faculty: School of Music | Duration: 20 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Location: Columbia, SC, United States

What you will study

The curriculum includes doctorate-level performance skills, knowledge of piano repertoire and understanding of appropriate pedagogies. Learning is enriched with teaching students and adults in our distinguished Center for Piano Studies, group laboratories and Carolina LifeSong Initiative. Enjoy an abundance of teaching resources in the Piano Pedagogy Resource Center.

Career pathways

Potential careers include Faculty, Researcher, Private Instructor.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admissions (University of South Carolina Academic Bulletin): The general requirements for admission are the completion of master’s degree in music (or the equivalent); repertory list; audition; and fulfillment of the general requirements for admission to The Graduate School, including the submission of three recommendations. Applicants who plan to complete the degree with a recital and treatise must submit at least two graduate-level term papers. A substantive master's thesis may be submitted in lieu of the two papers. Applicants who plan to complete the degree with a dissertation must submit a master's thesis or writing samples that demonstrate the ability to undertake and complete significant, original scholarly work. All writing submissions must exhibit content, style, and research attributes consistent with and indicative of potential to fulfill the writing and research requirements of doctoral- level study. This includes proper use of...

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 applications are accepted for Fall, Spring and Summer terms; Fall applications open the prior September, Spring applications open in January and Summer applications open in May.

The graduate application fee is $50 per primary application, reinstated effective August 1, 2026. Deadlines are programme-specific and listed per programme on the Degree Programs and Application Requirements pages.

Apply through the official page: https://www.sc.edu/admissions-at-sc/applications/index.php

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