Graduate Studies

Irving S. Gilmore School of Music

Graduate degrees offered

The Western Michigan University School of Music offers a Master of Music degree, a Master of Arts degree, and a Graduate Certificate in Music Performance.

This degree is designed to enhance students' teaching, performing, research and creative abilities in music within five areas of concentration:

Composition
Conducting
Music therapy
Performance (Instrumental, Jazz studies, Keyboard, Voice)

Master of Arts in Music
The Master of Arts in Music degree is a graduate research degree that culminates with a written thesis and a public presentation. Possible areas of focus for the thesis include (but are not limited to) music history, music theory, ethnomusicology, historical performance practice, music technology, and interdisciplinary subjects relating to music with other fields.

The Certificate Program in Music Performance is a highly selective, non-degree graduate program for the specialized training of the gifted and accomplished performer in preparation for competitions, auditions and the development of a performance career.

Certificate Program in Music Therapy Equivalency
This Music Therapy Equivalency program is designed for the student who already has a baccalaureate degree in music and would like to complete course work needed to become a professional music therapist. Under this program, the student only takes the courses required for certification.

Accelerated Master of Arts in Music
The School of Music 51�� Michigan University offers an Accelerated Graduate Degree Program (AGDP) in the Master of Arts in Music. This innovative program allows completion of both a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in just five years.