division of music at west virginia university

Graduate Admission Requirements

Applicants to the program must present necessary credentials for evaluation of previous training and experience to the Division of Music. These include transcripts from all institutions previously attended showing a grade point average of at least 3.0 in all undergraduate study, submitted through the WVU Office of Admissions and Records. Applicants for music history and music theory must also submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination General Aptitude Test. Three letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to judge the applicant's potential success as a graduate student in music must be submitted directly to the Director of Graduate Studies in Music.

Applicants are also required to demonstrate, by audition, their level of attainment in a principal performance area. The evaluation of performance proficiency is based on technical ability, repertoire, and musicianship. A listing of representative material for each performance area, graded by proficiency level, is available upon request. A recording may be submitted in cases where travel makes an audition impractical. Each degree option has established standards which must be met for admission. For performance majors, the estimated proficiency level must be confirmed by a jury examination at the end of the first semester of performance study. Credit in performance may be counted toward degree requirements only after the proficiency level prerequisite has been reached.

Applicants seeking admission as composition majors must submit representative compositions for evaluation and approval.

Applicants seeking admission as music education, theory, or history majors must submit a sample of writing, such as a term paper; a musical subject is recommended, but not required.

Applicants to music education curricula (with the exception of the certification option) must also submit a videotape of teaching, preferably of a K–12 music class.

Provisional Admission

Applicants whose GPA , audition or test scores do not meet the qualifications outlined above may be considered for acceptance as provisional or non-degree students. If, upon completion of up to 12 semester hours of graduate study, they have achieved a minimum of a B (3.0) average, and any previous undergraduate deficiencies or other conditions have been satisfied, such students may be accepted as degree students.

International

International applicants should forward a letter of inquiry one year before they intend to begin study in the United States . The University receives a large number of applications from international students. For this reason and because of the time required for the student to make visa and financial arrangements, April 1 has been established as a deadline after which completed applications cannot be guaranteed for fall admission. International students applying for admission to West Virginia University must submit the following to the Office of Admissions and Records, PO Box 6009 :

Graduate Application Procedures

Application deadline for the most advantageous consideration is March 1.

To pursue admission to our graduate degree programs, the following steps should be completed as early as possible.

  1. Submit your completed admission application with the $50 fee to the WVU Office of Admissions (not the Division of Music).
  2. Request official transcripts from all institutions previously attended to be sent directly to the WVU Office of Admissions (not the Division of Music).
  3. Applicants for Music History and Music Theory must also submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination General Aptitude Test.
  4. Request Admissions Reference Report from three individuals qualified to judge your potential success in graduate study.
  5. Submit a completed Graduate Music Admissions/Assistantship Application. If you wish to be considered for a Graduate Assistantship, your Assistantship Application must be submitted before you schedule this audition.
  6. When your admissions file is complete, schedule an admission audition and interview with the faculty in your area of specialization. (Music Education Students will schedule audition through the Music Education Faculty). Faculty telephone extension numbers and email addresses may be found through the following website (http://www.wvu.edu/~music/faculty_staff.html), or you may contact Sr. Administrative Assistant Jodie Lewis (304-293-4842 ext. 3196, or Jodie.Lewis@mail.wvu.edu).

Students applying to graduate degree programs in Music Education must also:

Any tape recordings or videotapes submitted for your admissions file will be held no more than one year. If you would like for such materials to be returned to you, please provide an appropriate, stamped envelope with a permanent mailing address.

Request graduate application materials to be sent

Application to WVU

Application Materials to download, print, complete and return to WVU Division of Music

Application/Assistantship for Graduate Music Admission

Letter of Recommendation Form. (3 letters are required)



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