Program Overview
Master of Music Gain expertise in music education, performance or an individualized specialization. The NIU School of Music combines the advantages of a conservatory program with the resources and experiences offered by a major university. You’ll receive a strong artistic, intellectual and practical foundation for a professional career in music. Our diverse programming provides opportunities to focus on jazz, contemporary and new music, as well as a number of world music ensembles and traditional Western music. You’ll receive personalized attention from our dedicated faculty, who are nationally and internationally recognized.
Key Program Features
- Immersive On-Campus Experience: In-person seminars, laboratory sessions, and professional networking at Northern Illinois University.
- Expert Faculty: Taught by research-active academics and practitioners with deep expertise in Humanities & Arts.
- Diverse International Cohort: Study alongside students from around the world, broadening your global professional network.
- Research-Informed Curriculum: Content grounded in the latest academic research and real-world industry practice.
- Dissertation / Capstone Project: Culminating independent project applying your expertise to an original research question or industry challenge.
- Dedicated Career Support: Access to career coaching, employer networking events, and job placement assistance.
- 12 months Duration: Part-time and accelerated options may be available — enquire with the admissions office.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Music programme at Northern Illinois University develop the advanced knowledge, analytical skills, and professional networks that leading employers in humanities & arts value. Common career destinations include:
- Researcher / Academic: Pursue doctoral studies and contribute to scholarly knowledge.
- Journalist / Editor: Report, write, and curate content for media organisations.
- Cultural Programme Manager: Lead arts institutions, festivals, and cultural initiatives.
- Content Strategist: Develop compelling narratives for brands and organisations.
Graduates have secured roles at multinational corporations, government agencies, research institutions, NGOs, and high-growth startups. Many also progress to doctoral (PhD) programmes.
Program Curriculum
Curriculum and Requirements
The Master of Music degree is a 32-semester-hour program consisting of 13 semester hours of core requirements plus 19 semester hours taken within one of three specializations: music education, music performance or individualized study.
Specialization 1: Music Education We are not currently accepting applications for our M.M. in Education. Applicants are admitted to this specialization only after review of application documents and a brief interview/audition with a committee of the music education faculty. Applicants must have public school teacher certification and a minimum of three years of public school teaching experience to be considered for admission. New for music education: MUSC 699 portfolio option (PDF) . Specialization 2: Music Performance Applicants are admitted to this specialization only upon the recommendation of a committee of the performance faculty after an audition and review of application documents. Candidates should be prepared to perform a full-length program of the undergraduate senior recital caliber or higher for their audition. Where distance precludes an in-person audition, a CD or DVD of a full recital program may be submitted. Specialization 3: Individualized Specialization - Music Typical individualized specializations where the program concentrates entirely on music include composition , world music , jazz studies and recording arts . Applicants are admitted to this specialization only upon the recommendation of a committee of the music faculty after an in-depth examination for competence in music and/or other applicable fields, and a review of application documents.
Performer's Certificate
The Performer's Certificate is a post-master's certificate program. It enables advanced students to attain greater mastery of their chosen fields than they can achieve in formal study through the master's degree level. This 24-semester-hour program includes private instruction, research related to performance and performance experience designed to develop fully-independent professional musicians.
Admission Requirements
How to Apply
You can apply if you have a Bachelor of Music degree (with some exceptions). You’ll apply through the Graduate School , complete a supplementary School of Music application and register for an audition .
- Fall: February 24
- Spring: December 1
Costs and Funding
There are various funding opportunities for graduate students, including tuition waivers and graduate assistantships . We encourage you to apply for both opportunities.
To be granted priority consideration, complete the following by March 15 :
- Tuition waiver: Indicate your interest on your application to our School of Music .
- Graduate assistantship: Indicate your interest and complete your graduate assistantship application in your application to our School of Music .
We’ll contact you in late March or early April about the status of your tuition waiver or graduate assistantship.
Curriculum and Requirements
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
USD 20,425/year (international)
Costs and Funding
There are various funding opportunities for graduate students, including tuition waivers and graduate assistantships . We encourage you to apply for both opportunities.
To be granted priority consideration, complete the following by March 15 :
- Tuition waiver: Indicate your interest on your application to our School of Music .
- Graduate assistantship: Indicate your interest and complete your graduate assistantship application in your application to our School of Music .
We’ll contact you in late March or early April about the status of your tuition waiver or graduate assistantship.
Curriculum and Requirements
The Master of Music degree is a 32-semester-hour program consisting of 13 semester hours of core requirements plus 19 semester hours taken within one of three specializations: music education, music performance or individualized study.
Specialization 1: Music Education We are not currently accepting applications for our M.M. in Education. Applicants are admitted to this specialization only after review of application documents and a brief interview/audition with a committee of the music education faculty. Applicants must have public school teacher certification and a minimum of three years of public school teaching experience to be considered for admission. New for music education: MUSC 699 portfolio option (PDF) . Specialization 2: Music Performance Applicants are admitted to this specialization only upon the recommendation of a committee of the performance faculty after an audition and review of application documents. Candidates should be prepared to perform a full-length program of the undergraduate senior recital caliber or higher for their audition. Where distance precludes an in-person audition, a CD or DVD of a full recital program may be submitted. Specialization 3: Individualized Specialization - Music Typical individualized specializations where the program concentrates entirely on music include composition , world music , jazz studies and recording arts . Applicants are admitted to this specialization only upon the recommendation of a committee of the music faculty after an in-depth examination for competence in music and/or other applicable fields, and a review of application documents.
Performer's Certificate
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Costs and Funding
There are various funding opportunities for graduate students, including tuition waivers and graduate assistantships . We encourage you to apply for both opportunities.
To be granted priority consideration, complete the following by March 15 :
- Tuition waiver: Indicate your interest on your application to our School of Music .
- Graduate assistantship: Indicate your interest and complete your graduate assistantship application in your application to our School of Music .
We’ll contact you in late March or early April about the status of your tuition waiver or graduate assistantship.
Curriculum and Requirements
The Master of Music degree is a 32-semester-hour program consisting of 13 semester hours of core requirements plus 19 semester hours taken within one of three specializations: music education, music performance or individualized study.
Specialization 1: Music Education We are not currently accepting applications for our M.M. in Education. Applicants are admitted to this specialization only after review of application documents and a brief interview/audition with a committee of the music education faculty. Applicants must have public school teacher certification and a minimum of three years of public school teaching experience to be considered for admission. New for music education: MUSC 699 portfolio option (PDF) . Specialization 2: Music Performance Applicants are admitted to this specialization only upon the recommendation of a committee of the performance faculty after an audition and review of application documents. Candidates should be prepared to perform a full-length program of the undergraduate senior recital caliber or higher for their audition. Where distance precludes an in-person audition, a CD or DVD of a full recital program may be submitted. Specialization 3: Individualized Specialization - Music Typical individualized specializations where the program concentrates entirely on music include composition , world music , jazz studies and recording arts . Applicants are admitted to this specialization only upon the recommendation of a committee of the music faculty after an in-depth examination for competence in music and/or other applicable fields, and a review of application documents.
Performer's Certificate
About Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, United States
Northern Illinois University is a distinguished institution of higher education committed to academic excellence, innovative research, and preparing students for leadership in their chosen fields....
University Profile- Application Deadline 2017-12-10
- Start Date 2018-01-17
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)