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 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.

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 develops competence in jazz performance, improvisation and knowledge of jazz history, develops professional competence in establishing, organizing and maintaining a high school or college-level jazz program and nurtures the creative talents of students in jazz arranging and composing. The Jazz Studies program provides opportunities for students to participate in quality jazz organizations such as large jazz bands and jazz combos. In addition to the performance groups, students may supplement their playing by participating in some of the academic jazz courses such as jazz improvisation, jazz arranging and jazz pedagogy, etc. 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 Performance (Bachelor of Music) prepares students for careers as performing musicians or studio teachers. A strong background in music reading and performance (including participation in school bands, choirs, or orchestras, performance experience in small groups and as a soloist and private study) is required. Many students in this concentration have excelled in community groups such as youth orchestras and have performed in public concerts and recitals. Graduates in performance from Georgia State have gone on to have major careers in some of the world’s most prestigious venues. An audition is required for admission. 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 Management (Bachelor of Science) prepares students for a variety of management-related careers in the music industry, including profit and non-profit sectors. The curriculum is founded on basic knowledge of music, experiences in performing and courses in business and music management. Graduates may work in a range of capacities at record labels and distributors or in artist and concert management, retail sales or music publishing. Students complete at least one internship with a commercial firm or non-profit agency as part of their programs. 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.

Choral Conducting at the Georgia State School of Music offers exceptional training to talented musicians wishing to study the choral art at an advanced level.  Intensive study with Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Deanna Joseph, and regular performance experience is the foundation for developing highly qualified, professional conductors.  Students in the program regularly conduct the Master Singers, an auditioned chamber choir of 20 to 30 voices in rehearsal and performance, and assist with the University Singers (the School of Music’s top choral ensemble), Women’s Chorus (auditioned women’s choir), and Choral Union (open to all). Full scholarships and graduate assistantships, including the Robert Shaw Choral Award, are available. 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 Master of Music with a concentration in guitar performance provides advanced preparation for a career as a concert performer, as both soloist and chamber musician and as a teacher of guitar. Georgia State’s location in the heart of Atlanta, a cultural gem of the South, allows Master of Music guitar students to take advantage of numerous performing and teaching opportunities on and off campus. Completion of the degree normally necessitates four semesters of full-time study and requires a one-hour solo recital as well as a one-hour chamber recital. 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.