Degrees & Majors

The Choral Conducting concentration at Georgia State University offers exceptional training to talented musicians wishing to study choral art at an advanced level. Intensive study with our faculty 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 other four choral ensembles (Treble Choir, Tenor-Bass Choir, University Singers and Choral Union).

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 Georgia State 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 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 Georgia State University Arts Administration concentration provides students with a broad-based knowledge of business and the arts and positions graduates for managerial positions in galleries, theaters and other arts organizations, especially in the nonprofit sector. The program allows students with an interest in the arts to develop widely marketable skills. Students take courses in nonprofit management, business communication and marketing with electives in business administration, creative media industries study, entrepreneurship, marketing and nonprofit management. There are four thematic concentrations: Art History Administration, Music Administration, Studio Administration and Theatre Administration. Students can pursue their interest in the arts in one of these four areas while also taking courses in nonprofit management, business communication and marketing. An internship course is required for Art History Administration and Theatre Administration or can be taken as an elective in Music Administration and Theatre Administration. Other possible electives include business administration, creative media industries and world languages courses. Our campus is in the heart of downtown Atlanta. We are part of a thriving, vibrant arts scene with many arts administration opportunities in art, music and theatre.

Georgia State’s Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Jazz Studies offers a comprehensive approach to developing competence in jazz performance, improvisation, and knowledge of jazz history. It also equips students with professional skills in establishing and maintaining high school or college-level jazz programs while nurturing their creative talents in jazz arranging and composing. The program provides valuable opportunities for students to engage in quality jazz organizations, including large jazz bands and jazz combos. Furthermore, students will enhance their playing by participating in academic jazz courses such as jazz improvisation, jazz arranging and jazz pedagogy, among others. This integrated approach ensures a well-rounded jazz education and fosters both practical and academic growth in the field. We offer jazz studies degrees in the following areas:

• Instrumental
• Voice
• Piano

Georgia State University’s 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.

The Georgia State University 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 understanding 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, middle level, language and literacy education, mathematics 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.