Total Credit Hours: 36          Degree Format: Traditional

The College of the Arts and the Department of Music offer the Master of Music in Performance (M.M.P.) degree. The M.M.P. curriculum prepares musicians for careers in professional performing, conducting, and studio teaching.

The Masters of Music in Performance (M.M.P.) is a 36-semester-hour, non-thesis master's degree program intended to further the musical and academic skills of accomplished musicians. Students in the M.M.P. degree program will refine their performance skills to an advanced degree, deepen their knowledge of the academic and research aspects of music, and further develop their pedagogical skills.

Program Coordinator: Dr. Beibei Lin, email: zblin@valdosta.edu, phone: 229-333-5804

 

Department of Music Website

ADMISSION DEADLINES

  • Fall Semester: July 15
  • Spring Semester: November 15
  • Summer Semester: April 15

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Online Graduate Application

  • Application Fee (credit or debit card and e-checks accepted)
  • Apply Online

Official transcript from your bachelor’s degree-granting school and from any graduate coursework.

  • Transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at VSU will be obtained by the Graduate School
  • Must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Bachelor of Music in Performance is preferred but other baccalaureate music degrees will be considered.
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 Scale. GPA will be calculated on all attempted undergraduate coursework in which a letter grade was awarded.
  • Evaluation of International Transcripts - Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation of the coursework.  This transcript evaluation must be completed by an international education credentials evaluation service such as Josef Silny, ECE, etc.

Three Recommendations

  • General Recommendation Form Required
  • Please enter the name and email of your recommenders as you complete the application. They should receive an email inviting them to compelte the recommendation after that. If they do not receive the emai (or find it in their spam folder), they may submit their recommendation as an email attachment to gradschool@valdosta.edu. The General Recommendation Form can be used if the email from the online recommendation system does not arrive.
  • Recommendations should be completed by professionals acquainted with your academic and/or vocational background or interests. These must reflect your ability interest, and motivation to be successful in the program of study and career field.
  • Letters must be accompanied by the required form or submitteed through the online recommendation system.

VSU Medical Form

  • The VSU Medical Form must be completed and signed by the student/applicant.
  • This form must be received prior to enrollment, NOT prior to admission.
  • Applicants who are currently enrolled, and those who attended VSU in the past, are not required to resubmit the Medical Form

Unless otherwise indicated above, all required documents must be received on or before the admission deadline for your file to be reviewed. It is the applicant's responsibility to allow adequate time for document delivery and to en-sure receipt of documents. Please allow at least 7-10 days for delivery by mail.

IMPORTANT PROGRAM INFORMATION

  • The Music Department requires an audition for admission into the MMP program. For details, please contact the Graduate Music Coordinator.
  • Please note: the conducting specialty only admits one student at a time.  Please contact the department before applying if you are seeking a conducting specialty. 
  • Student applications are classified as being either regular or probationary. Applicants who do not meet the above requirements may be considered for Probationary status by the Graduate Music Committee.
  • Requests for Irregular admission may be considered for admission to the M.M.P. program. Irregular status students are not eligible for graduate assistantship (GA) positions.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS 

International applicants must meet all admission criteria and documentation requirements as defined by the program, however, additional documentation may be required.  Please review the information below for specific information and guidelines.

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam or International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Applicants whose first language is not English (based on country of citizenship) must submit official scores on the TOEFL exam or IELTS exam. International applicants whose first language is not English but who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution may be exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.  The current test score minimums are listed here. 
  • Certificate of Finances- The Certificate of Finance is required of any applicant requiring a student visa to enter the United States to complete his or her studies. This document is considered a part of the application for admission and applications will not be reviewed without this document.  Applicants who do not require an I-20 student visa to complete their studies are exempt from this requirement.
  • Evaluation of International Transcripts - Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation of the coursework.  This transcript evaluation must be completed by an international education credentials evaluation service such as Josef Silny, ECE, etc.  The transcript evaluation does not replace the transcript requirement. Official transcripts are still required.

ADMISSION CLASSIFICATIONS

  • Students can have regular or probationary status upon admission
    • Probationary Admission - Applicants who do not have a GRE verbal score of 150 or higher, quantitative score of 141 or higher, combined MAT score of 350, or a grade-point average of 3.0 of higher in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework may be considered for admission as a probationary student if they have at least a 3.0 on the analytical section of the GRE.
    • If admitted under probationary status a student must complete the following requirements to be eligible to be changed for regular status: A grade point average of 3.0 upon completion of 9 hours of graduate coursework.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

For admission questions about this program, please contact the Graduate School by phone, email, or stop by our office.
  • Call Us: 229-333-5694 
  • Email Us: gradschool@valdosta.edu 
  • Visit Us: Converse Hall (Main Campus), Third Floor, Suite 3100
For additional program details contact the Program Coordinator: Dr. Beibei Lin, email: zblin@valdosta.edu, phone: 229-333-5804.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

  1. Students must complete an application for graduation one semester prior to their expected graduation date;

  2. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. No grade below a “C” will be credited toward the degree

  3. Before receiving the Master of Music in Performance degree, students must perform a graduate recital or recitals. The graduate recital or recitals represent a culmination and application of applied study, pedagogy, music history, research, and analysis. An assessment of satisfactory on the recital or recitals is required for successful completion of the degree program.  The faculty committee will hear the entire proposed recital from 7 to 14 days before the performance date in a formal recital hearing and will approve or disapprove the public performance. If memorization is required for the recital, the hearing must also be memorized.

  4. Collaborative piano requires three graduate recitals–one vocal, one instrumental, and a third for which the content will be determined by the applied teacher. The graduate recital or recitals must be at least 60 minutes in length and must be approved by a faculty committee appointed by the Graduate Coordinator.

  5. In the area of conducting, the student recital is replaced by a juried ensemble rehearsal or a conducting appearance with an appropriate University ensemble. The nature of the final examination at the end of each semester will be determined by the conducting area. The graduate recital is replaced by (1) an ensemble recital of 60 minutes approved by the principal professor, including the recruitment and organization of the ensemble, (2) performance assignments, and (3) a conducting appearance with an appropriate University ensemble on a regularly scheduled concert

  6. Students must pass a comprehensive examination. The comprehensive examination consists of written and oral portions, both of which must be completed to the satisfaction of an examination committee. This examination, which is taken during or after the last term of coursework, determines achievement in written and oral communication skills related to pedagogy, music history and analysis, literature, and research methodology. A description of the procedure for the administration of the comprehensive examination is available in the Music Department.

RETENTION, DISMISSAL, & READMISSION POLICIES

  1. Students will complete diagnostic examinations during the first semester of study to aid in the planning of courses; any deficiencies identified in the diagnostic examinations must be remedied by recommendations of the Graduate Music Committee; studio teachers may also recommend areas needing remedial work to the Graduate Music Committee for approval; undergraduate coursework will not receive graduate credit.
  2. Vocal and choral conducting majors will be required to take a proficiency examination in German, French, and Italian during their degree programs; choral conducting majors will be required to take a piano proficiency examination during their degree program.
  3. The required principal performing ensemble for choral conducting majors is Chamber Singers.
  4. Students register for four hours credit per semester for two 50-minute private lessons per week. Requirements include attendance at master classes as specified by the instructor, a student recital performance each semester, a final examination performance for a faculty jury at the end of each semester, attendance at student recitals and other designated Music Department events, and a graduate recital or recitals.
  5. The maximum load of regular full-time students during any semester is 12 hours and 9 hours for graduate assistants. Students employed full-time outside the Department of Music may enroll for no more than 4 hours. Enrollment during the first or second session of the summer term may not exceed one half of the maximum load for the full summer term. Any exception to the maximum load limits must be approved by the Advisor and the Head of the Department of Music.
  6. After admission, courses taken more than seven years prior to the semester of degree completion cannot be used to meet graduate degree requirements or admission to doctoral candidacy requirements unless otherwise indicated by individual program requirements. 
  7. No more than 6 semester hours of academic work may be transferred from another institution into a College of Arts graduate program.  Transfer credit will be evaluated after admission, by the academic department. To be eligible, credit must be no more than seven years old at the time of admission unless otherwise approved by the program.
  8. Earning grades below “B” in graduate courses will result in the following consequences: Students admitted Fall 2011 and thereafter will be dismissed from the Graduate School if they accumulate three or more academic deficiency points unless otherwise indicated by individual program policy. A grade of “C” (although it may be credited toward a degree) equals one deficiency point. A grade of “D,” “WF” or “F,” or “U” (none of which will be credited toward a degree) equals two deficiency points. Candidates admitted PRIOR to Fall 2011 and receiving two grades below “C” (“D”, “F”, “WF”,“U”) will be dismissed from the program. One grade below a "C" results in a warning.
  9. If dismissed from the program, a student must sit out two semesters before applying for readmission. Readmission is not guaranteed. The academic program reserves the right to place specific conditions and contingencies on any offer of readmission.
  10. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all graduate courses. Failure to do so will result in probationary status.

Total Credit Hours: 36          Degree Format: Traditional

The College of the Arts and the Department of Music offer the Master of Music in Performance (M.M.P.) degree. The M.M.P. curriculum prepares musicians for careers in professional performing, conducting, and studio teaching.

The Masters of Music in Performance (M.M.P.) is a 36-semester-hour, non-thesis master's degree program intended to further the musical and academic skills of accomplished musicians. Students in the M.M.P. degree program will refine their performance skills to an advanced degree, deepen their knowledge of the academic and research aspects of music, and further develop their pedagogical skills.

Program Coordinator: Dr. Beibei Lin, email: zblin@valdosta.edu, phone: 229-333-5804

 

Department of Music Website

ADMISSION DEADLINES

  • Fall Semester: July 15
  • Spring Semester: November 15
  • Summer Semester: April 15

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Online Graduate Application

  • Application Fee (credit or debit card and e-checks accepted)
  • Apply Online

Official transcript from your bachelor’s degree-granting school and from any graduate coursework.

  • Transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at VSU will be obtained by the Graduate School
  • Must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Bachelor of Music in Performance is preferred but other baccalaureate music degrees will be considered.
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 Scale. GPA will be calculated on all attempted undergraduate coursework in which a letter grade was awarded.
  • Evaluation of International Transcripts - Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation of the coursework.  This transcript evaluation must be completed by an international education credentials evaluation service such as Josef Silny, ECE, etc.

Three Recommendations

  • General Recommendation Form Required
  • Please enter the name and email of your recommenders as you complete the application. They should receive an email inviting them to compelte the recommendation after that. If they do not receive the emai (or find it in their spam folder), they may submit their recommendation as an email attachment to gradschool@valdosta.edu. The General Recommendation Form can be used if the email from the online recommendation system does not arrive.
  • Recommendations should be completed by professionals acquainted with your academic and/or vocational background or interests. These must reflect your ability interest, and motivation to be successful in the program of study and career field.
  • Letters must be accompanied by the required form or submitteed through the online recommendation system.

VSU Medical Form

  • The VSU Medical Form must be completed and signed by the student/applicant.
  • This form must be received prior to enrollment, NOT prior to admission.
  • Applicants who are currently enrolled, and those who attended VSU in the past, are not required to resubmit the Medical Form

Unless otherwise indicated above, all required documents must be received on or before the admission deadline for your file to be reviewed. It is the applicant's responsibility to allow adequate time for document delivery and to en-sure receipt of documents. Please allow at least 7-10 days for delivery by mail.

IMPORTANT PROGRAM INFORMATION

  • The Music Department requires an audition for admission into the MMP program. For details, please contact the Graduate Music Coordinator.
  • Please note: the conducting specialty only admits one student at a time.  Please contact the department before applying if you are seeking a conducting specialty. 
  • Student applications are classified as being either regular or probationary. Applicants who do not meet the above requirements may be considered for Probationary status by the Graduate Music Committee.
  • Requests for Irregular admission may be considered for admission to the M.M.P. program. Irregular status students are not eligible for graduate assistantship (GA) positions.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS 

International applicants must meet all admission criteria and documentation requirements as defined by the program, however, additional documentation may be required.  Please review the information below for specific information and guidelines.

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam or International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Applicants whose first language is not English (based on country of citizenship) must submit official scores on the TOEFL exam or IELTS exam. International applicants whose first language is not English but who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution may be exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.  The current test score minimums are listed here. 
  • Certificate of Finances- The Certificate of Finance is required of any applicant requiring a student visa to enter the United States to complete his or her studies. This document is considered a part of the application for admission and applications will not be reviewed without this document.  Applicants who do not require an I-20 student visa to complete their studies are exempt from this requirement.
  • Evaluation of International Transcripts - Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation of the coursework.  This transcript evaluation must be completed by an international education credentials evaluation service such as Josef Silny, ECE, etc.  The transcript evaluation does not replace the transcript requirement. Official transcripts are still required.

ADMISSION CLASSIFICATIONS

  • Students can have regular or probationary status upon admission
    • Probationary Admission - Applicants who do not have a GRE verbal score of 150 or higher, quantitative score of 141 or higher, combined MAT score of 350, or a grade-point average of 3.0 of higher in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework may be considered for admission as a probationary student if they have at least a 3.0 on the analytical section of the GRE.
    • If admitted under probationary status a student must complete the following requirements to be eligible to be changed for regular status: A grade point average of 3.0 upon completion of 9 hours of graduate coursework.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

For admission questions about this program, please contact the Graduate School by phone, email, or stop by our office.
  • Call Us: 229-333-5694 
  • Email Us: gradschool@valdosta.edu 
  • Visit Us: Converse Hall (Main Campus), Third Floor, Suite 3100
For additional program details contact the Program Coordinator: Dr. Beibei Lin, email: zblin@valdosta.edu, phone: 229-333-5804.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

  1. Students must complete an application for graduation one semester prior to their expected graduation date;

  2. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. No grade below a “C” will be credited toward the degree

  3. Before receiving the Master of Music in Performance degree, students must perform a graduate recital or recitals. The graduate recital or recitals represent a culmination and application of applied study, pedagogy, music history, research, and analysis. An assessment of satisfactory on the recital or recitals is required for successful completion of the degree program.  The faculty committee will hear the entire proposed recital from 7 to 14 days before the performance date in a formal recital hearing and will approve or disapprove the public performance. If memorization is required for the recital, the hearing must also be memorized.

  4. Collaborative piano requires three graduate recitals–one vocal, one instrumental, and a third for which the content will be determined by the applied teacher. The graduate recital or recitals must be at least 60 minutes in length and must be approved by a faculty committee appointed by the Graduate Coordinator.

  5. In the area of conducting, the student recital is replaced by a juried ensemble rehearsal or a conducting appearance with an appropriate University ensemble. The nature of the final examination at the end of each semester will be determined by the conducting area. The graduate recital is replaced by (1) an ensemble recital of 60 minutes approved by the principal professor, including the recruitment and organization of the ensemble, (2) performance assignments, and (3) a conducting appearance with an appropriate University ensemble on a regularly scheduled concert

  6. Students must pass a comprehensive examination. The comprehensive examination consists of written and oral portions, both of which must be completed to the satisfaction of an examination committee. This examination, which is taken during or after the last term of coursework, determines achievement in written and oral communication skills related to pedagogy, music history and analysis, literature, and research methodology. A description of the procedure for the administration of the comprehensive examination is available in the Music Department.

RETENTION, DISMISSAL, & READMISSION POLICIES

  1. Students will complete diagnostic examinations during the first semester of study to aid in the planning of courses; any deficiencies identified in the diagnostic examinations must be remedied by recommendations of the Graduate Music Committee; studio teachers may also recommend areas needing remedial work to the Graduate Music Committee for approval; undergraduate coursework will not receive graduate credit.
  2. Vocal and choral conducting majors will be required to take a proficiency examination in German, French, and Italian during their degree programs; choral conducting majors will be required to take a piano proficiency examination during their degree program.
  3. The required principal performing ensemble for choral conducting majors is Chamber Singers.
  4. Students register for four hours credit per semester for two 50-minute private lessons per week. Requirements include attendance at master classes as specified by the instructor, a student recital performance each semester, a final examination performance for a faculty jury at the end of each semester, attendance at student recitals and other designated Music Department events, and a graduate recital or recitals.
  5. The maximum load of regular full-time students during any semester is 12 hours and 9 hours for graduate assistants. Students employed full-time outside the Department of Music may enroll for no more than 4 hours. Enrollment during the first or second session of the summer term may not exceed one half of the maximum load for the full summer term. Any exception to the maximum load limits must be approved by the Advisor and the Head of the Department of Music.
  6. After admission, courses taken more than seven years prior to the semester of degree completion cannot be used to meet graduate degree requirements or admission to doctoral candidacy requirements unless otherwise indicated by individual program requirements. 
  7. No more than 6 semester hours of academic work may be transferred from another institution into a College of Arts graduate program.  Transfer credit will be evaluated after admission, by the academic department. To be eligible, credit must be no more than seven years old at the time of admission unless otherwise approved by the program.
  8. Earning grades below “B” in graduate courses will result in the following consequences: Students admitted Fall 2011 and thereafter will be dismissed from the Graduate School if they accumulate three or more academic deficiency points unless otherwise indicated by individual program policy. A grade of “C” (although it may be credited toward a degree) equals one deficiency point. A grade of “D,” “WF” or “F,” or “U” (none of which will be credited toward a degree) equals two deficiency points. Candidates admitted PRIOR to Fall 2011 and receiving two grades below “C” (“D”, “F”, “WF”,“U”) will be dismissed from the program. One grade below a "C" results in a warning.
  9. If dismissed from the program, a student must sit out two semesters before applying for readmission. Readmission is not guaranteed. The academic program reserves the right to place specific conditions and contingencies on any offer of readmission.
  10. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all graduate courses. Failure to do so will result in probationary status.