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Graduate Degree Programs in Music

The Hayes School of Music at Appalachian offers the Master of Music degree and the Master of Music Therapy degree. The Master of Music degree is designed for persons who wish to pursue a musically and intellectually challenging course of study in music education or music performance. The Master of Music Therapy degree is designed to prepare board-certified or board-eligible music therapists for advanced music therapy practice.

The following programs and concentrations are available:

Master of Music in Music Education [with concentrations in General Music, Band Directing, and Choral Directing] - for the student who desires a course of study leading to a North Carolina Advanced Masters certificate.
Master of Music in Music Performance - for the student who desires a course of study in advanced instrumental or vocal performance, or composition.
Music Therapy Equivalency - for the student who holds an undergraduate degree in a field other than music therapy and who wishes to prepare for professional certification as a music therapist.
Master of Music Therapy - for the board-certified or board-eligible music therapist who seeks to broaden and deepen her/his competence in music therapy.
Music Specialization for Professional Educators - two graduate programs leading to the Educational Specialist's Degree, Curriculum Instruction and Higher Education provide for an academic concentration in music and are offered through the appropriate department in the College of Education.

• More Information for Prospective Graduate Students
• A Handbook for Graduate Students in Music
• Request Information on Graduate Studies

Graduate Assistantships and Scholarships

• Winds, Percussion, Guitar, and Band
• Piano
• Music Therapy
• The Hayes String Quartet
  

Graduate assistanships are awarded to full-time graduate students on a yearly basis and carry a $7000 stipend. Responsibilities of the graduate assistants are varied according to the interests of the graduate student and the needs of the Hayes School of Music. Assistantships are available in the areas of vocal and instrumental applied instruction including guitar class, band directing, music theory, music education, music therapy, and computer-assisted instruction. Students are selected on a the basis of audition and recommendation. The selection process for music therapy graduate assistants will also include an interview.

The Cratis Williams Graduate School at Appalachian awards several scholarships to outstanding graduate students each year. These scholarships of $1000-$3000 are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, talent, and financial need.

Graduate Music Faculty and Curricula

Graduate students at Appalachian study and perform with caring faculty composed of dedicated professionals who have earned graduate faculty status by their nationally recognized accomplishments in music performance, music composition, music education, music therapy, and music research.

The graduate programs are designed to provide the student with a practical and interesting course of study that is intellectually challenging. The Music Education degree programs are based on a core of courses (Choral or Band Literature, Vocal or Instrumental Techniques, Advanced Conducting, Bibliography and Research, Analytical Techniques, and Philosophy of Music) and culminate in a Practicum, Thesis, or Recital experience. The Music Performance degree programs offer the student opportunities to refine his/her performance skills through applied study, classroom instruction, ensemble experiences, and public recitals. The Master of Music Therapy degree program is designed to broaden music therapy knowledge and skills, particularly in areas of advanced practice, while also permitting deepening of expertise in the student's chosen area of clinical practice.

Summer Study

Both Master of Music degree programs of study can be completed during a sequence of four summer sessions (6-week terms). The Hayes School of Music adheres to a schedule of carefully planned course offerings that assists the student in the timely and efficient completion of the graduate degree. While some courses for the Master of Music Therapy degree program are offered in the summer, completion of the degree will usually require a minimum of three semesters during the academic year.

Graduate Advising

Each graduate student is assigned an adviser who is a member of the Hayes School of Music graduate faculty. The adviser serves as the mentor for the graduate student, guiding him/her through the course of study from the initial registration to commencement.

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For more information or questions please e-mail: Dr. Nancy Schneeloch-Bingham