Degrees & Majors

The Artist Certificate in Music is a post-master’s certificate in either performance or conducting. The program is 18 semester hours and takes two semesters to complete. To be admitted into the Artist Certificate program, students must have either a master’s degree in music or equivalent professional experience. The mission of the Georgia State School of Music is to preserve, promote and advance humanity’s rich and expanding tradition of artistic music-making through performance, composition, education and research in accordance with the urban and global initiatives of the university. The graduate programs in the School of Music offer unparalleled opportunities in one of America’s most vibrant urban centers. The school enrolls about 90 students in Master of Music degree programs, Artist Certificate programs, and Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs in music education. Students have the opportunity to work with an internationally acclaimed faculty of 40 full-time and 24 part-time faculty in concentrations such as performance, pedagogy, music education, conducting, composition and jazz studies.

The Artist Certificate in Music is a post-master’s certificate in either performance or conducting. The program is 18 semester hours and takes two semesters to complete. To be admitted into the Artist Certificate program, students must have either a master’s degree in music or equivalent professional experience. The performance emphases consist of intensive, individualized instruction in performance and a recital. The conducting emphases consist of intensive, individualized instruction and a terminal project consisting of a public performance and a research document. The program is open to exceptional students who are ready for doctoral- or professional-level instruction. The mission of the Georgia State School of Music is to preserve, promote and advance humanity’s rich and expanding tradition of artistic music-making through performance, composition, education and research in accordance with the urban and global initiatives of the university. The graduate programs in the School of Music offer unparalleled opportunities in one of America’s most vibrant urban centers. The school enrolls about 90 students in Master of Music degree programs, Artist Certificate programs, and Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs in music education. Students have the opportunity to work with an internationally acclaimed faculty of 40 full-time and 24 part-time faculty in concentrations such as performance, pedagogy, music education, conducting, composition and jazz studies.

The Artist Certificate in Music is a post-master’s certificate in either performance or conducting. The program is 18 semester hours and takes two semesters to complete. To be admitted into the Artist Certificate program, students must have either a master’s degree in music or equivalent professional experience. The conducting emphases consist of intensive, individualized instruction in performance and a recital. The conducting emphases consist of intensive, individualized instruction and a terminal project consisting of a public performance and a research document. The program is open to exceptional students who are ready for doctoral- or professional-level instruction. The mission of the Georgia State School of Music is to preserve, promote and advance humanity’s rich and expanding tradition of artistic music-making through performance, composition, education and research in accordance with the urban and global initiatives of the university. The graduate programs in the School of Music offer unparalleled opportunities in one of America’s most vibrant urban centers. The school enrolls about 90 students in Master of Music degree programs, Artist Certificate programs, and Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs in music education. Students have the opportunity to work with an internationally acclaimed faculty of 40 full-time and 24 part-time faculty in concentrations such as performance, pedagogy, music education, conducting, composition and jazz studies.

This concentration prepares students for graduate study in composition, careers as professional composers and teachers of composition. Successful applicants demonstrate success in undergraduate theory and aural skills classes, have a portfolio of compositions and successfully pass an entrance jury. A portfolio of compositions with accompanying recordings for review as well as completion of Theory IV and Aural Skills IV is required. Freshman and sophomore students may enroll in Composition Seminar to develop the portfolio. Completion of Theory I and Aural Skills I is required for admission into the Composition Seminar. The mission of the School of Music is to preserve, promote and advance humanity’s rich and expanding tradition of artistic music-making through performance, composition, education and research in accordance with the urban and global initiatives of the university. Students have the opportunity to work with an internationally acclaimed faculty of 40 full-time and 24 part-time faculty in concentrations such as performance, pedagogy, music education, conducting, composition and jazz studies.

The Music Education Faculty believes all cultures should be represented and that both traditional and novel settings should be used to teach music. You will take traditional method classes but will also learn to improvise, use electric instruments, compose and much more. You will learn to be the best possible ensemble/choral director in addition to being able to design novel student-centered instruction. Most important, you will learn to channel your passion for music through effective instruction. Music Education prepares you to teach music in schools or other group settings from early childhood through adulthood. After graduation, you qualify for a Georgia teaching certificate in K-12 music. In addition to performance, you will study child development and learning, as well as methods of teaching music. Applicants should have a strong background in music performance and music reading and should have a particular interest in sharing their love of music with others. The mission of the School of Music is to preserve, promote and advance humanity’s rich and expanding tradition of artistic music-making through performance, composition, education and research in accordance with the urban and global initiatives of the university. Students have the opportunity to work with an internationally acclaimed faculty of 40 full-time and 24 part-time faculty in concentrations such as performance, pedagogy, music education, conducting, composition and jazz studies.

Music Technology (Recording/Music Production) prepares students for work in artistic, technical or producer/director capacities in music and music-related media industries. Students are aesthetically and practically trained for work as audio engineers and music technologists. Auditions are required. The mission of the School of Music is to preserve, promote and advance humanity’s rich and expanding tradition of artistic music-making through performance, composition, education and research in accordance with the urban and global initiatives of the university. Students have the opportunity to work with an internationally acclaimed faculty of 40 full-time and 24 part-time faculty in concentrations such as performance, pedagogy, music education, conducting, composition and jazz studies.

The Ed.D. program in curriculum and instruction prepares master teachers to become instructional leaders and curriculum specialists who wish to develop expertise in advocacy for equity in teaching and learning, curriculum theory, and development and pedagogical leadership. Our Ed.D. program consists of a rigorous, collaborative, interdisciplinary program that promotes an understanding of the complex dynamics among theory, research and practice. Our graduates are empowered scholar-educators who advocate for social justice and educational equity at the classroom, school, district and state levels. Grounded in educational research, our interdisciplinary courses offer students the opportunity to conceptualize, theorize, dialogue, problem-pose, problem-solve, create and evaluate a wide range of educational theories, practices and policies related to curriculum and instruction. Concentrations include art education, early childhood and elementary education, language and literacy education, mathematics education, middle-level education, foreign language education, music education, science education and social studies education. Education programs leading to professional licensure or certification (nursing, education, social work, counseling, accounting, allied health professions, etc.) may require additional approval from separate licensing boards, depending on the state. Students who live or plan to live outside Georgia and are considering a professional program should contact the appropriate board in their state of residency prior to beginning a course of study. To help students find the best-known contact information for the appropriate state licensing board and for a list of Georgia State program contacts, visit the Student Consumer Information website.

This concentration prepares students for careers as professional composers, teachers of composition and preparation for doctoral programs in composition. Successful applicants have a portfolio of compositions representing a variety of media and techniques. Portfolio/recording review required. The mission of the Georgia State School of Music is to preserve, promote and advance humanity’s rich and expanding tradition of artistic music-making through performance, composition, education and research in accordance with the urban and global initiatives of the university. The graduate programs in the School of Music offer unparalleled opportunities in one of America’s most vibrant urban centers. The school enrolls about 90 students in Master of Music degree programs, Artist Certificate programs, and Ph.D. and Ed.D. programs in music education. Students have the opportunity to work with an internationally acclaimed faculty of 40 full-time and 24 part-time faculty in concentrations such as performance, pedagogy, music education, conducting, composition and jazz studies.