Oakland University offers a range of graduate degree and certificate programs in music through the doctoral level. These programs provide opportunities to work closely with our faculty and grow as conductors, performers, researchers, and teachers. For more information about Professional Development, the Master of Music, and Graduate/Post-Master’s Certificates, please contact Joe Shively or call (248) 370-2287. For more information about the Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education, please contact Jackie Wiggins.


Click here for a list of Summer 2013 Graduate Classes (Updated 3/19/13).

Click here for a list of Fall 2013 Graduate Classes (Updated 4/18/13).

Click here for a list of Winter 2014 Graduate Classes (Updated 4/18/13).

Click here to register for a graduate class.


Graduate Study

These links provide general information about graduate study for future and current students.

Graduate Study Home
Graduate Student Manuals, Policies and Forms

ADMISSIONS

Application to graduate degree and certificate programs is made to Oakland University Graduate Admissions. There are links to the specific admissions pages with each of the descriptions below.

Assistantships
Graduate Assistantships are available for students in the MM and Ph.D. programs. These assistantships provide stipends and pay for credits. For more information, contact Joe Shively.  Applications for Graduate Assistantship for Master of Music students are due by March 1 and applications for Ph.D. in Music Education students are due by February 1.
Click here for an Assistantship Application
 
Auditions
An audition is required for those applying to conducting, pedagogy and performance programs. Some auditions are held on departmental audition days while others are scheduled with the appropriate faculty. Contact Joe Shively to begin the scheduling process.

Writing Sample
Applicants to the MM in Music Education must provide a writing sample. The writing sample may be an academic paper written in an undergraduate or graduate course or a one-page discussion of an issue in music education. Submit the writing sample to Joe Shively via email or fax (248) 370-2041.


PROGRAMS: Master of Music
The Master of Music (MM) offers majors in conducting, education, pedagogy and performance. Each major within the MM is a 36-credit program that includes a shared core, courses required for the major, and electives. For more information, contact Joe Shively. 

History and Theory Placement
The placement exam is given in the week prior top the beginning of each semester to identify the appropriate course work in history and theory. Download a Study Guide here.


Majors:
Conducting
The Master of Music in conducting is a 36-credit program designed to meet the needs of music teachers and other music professionals who are interested in developing high-level skills and understanding in instrumental and/or choral conducting. Conducting admissions and degree information here.

Music Education
The Master of Music in music education is a 36-credit program designed to meet the needs of music teachers, to help them expand and extend their professional skills and understandings with the long range goal of enabling educators to study and improve their own practice. Music Education admissions and degree information here.

Pedagogy
The Master of Music in piano or vocal pedagogy is a 36-credit program for experienced pianists or singers, designed to enable them to explore approaches to teaching piano or voice, to expand their knowledge of repertoire and technique, and to further their personal performance skills and musical understanding. Piano Pedagogy admissions and degree information here.  Vocal Pedagogy admissions and degree information here.

Performance
The Master of Music in instrumental or piano or voice performance is a 36-credit program for highly experienced pianists, singers, or instrumentalists, designed to enable them to expand their knowledge of repertoire and technique, and to further their personal performance skills and musical understanding. Instrumental Performance admissions and degree information here. Piano Performance admissions and degree information here. Vocal Performance admissions and degree information here.


PROGRAMS: Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education
The Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education degree program is designed to develop individuals who can provide leadership for music education practice as teacher educators, curriculum leaders, and researchers. Core concepts in the program include constructivism, cultural psychology, and social democracy in music learning and teaching. For more information, contact Jackie Wiggins. Find Ph. D. in Music Education admissions and degree information here.


PROGRAMS: Certificate Programs
Graduate Certificates and Post-Master’s Graduate Certificates are offered in conducting, education, pedagogy and performance.

Conducting
The Graduate Certificate and the Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate in Conducting is a professional program designed to meet the needs of music teachers and other music professionals who are interested in developing high-level skills and understanding in instrumental and/or choral conducting. The program consists of 16 credits of conducting and related courses. Graduate Certificate in Conducting admissions and program information here. Post-Master’s Certificate in Conducting admissions and program information here.

Music Education (CARMU)
The Graduate Certificate and Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate in Music Education (CARMU) is a professional program designed to meet the needs of music teachers, to help them expand and extend their professional skills and understanding, and to improve their own practice. The program consists of 16 credits of music education courses. This graduate certificate program is an outgrowth of the work of the Center for Applied Research in Musical Understanding (CARMU). Graduate Certificate in Music Education admissions and program information here.   Post Master’s Certificate in Music Education admissions and program information here.

Pedagogy
The Graduate Certificate or Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate in Piano or Vocal Pedagogy is a professional program for experienced pianists or singers, designed to enable them to explore approaches to teaching piano or voice, to expand their knowledge of repertoire and technique, and to further their personal performance skills and musical understanding. The program consists of 16 credits of pedagogy and related courses. Graduate Certificate in Piano Pedagogy admissions and program information here.  Graduate Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy admissions and program information here.   Post Master’s Certificate in Piano Pedagogy Admissions and program information here.   Post Master’s Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy admissions and program information here.

Performance
The Graduate Certificate or Post-Master’s Graduate Certificate in Instrumental, Piano or Voice Performance is a professional program for highly experienced pianists, singers, or orchestral instrumentalists, designed to enable them to expand their knowledge of repertoire and technique, and to further their personal performance skills and musical understanding. The program consists of 16 credits of performance and related courses. Graduate Certificate in Instrumental Performance admissions and program information here.  Post Master’s Certificate in Instrumental Performance admissions and program here.  Graduate Certificate in Piano Performance admissions and program information here.  Post Master’s Certificate in Piano Performance admissions and program information here.  Graduate Certificate in Vocal Performance admissions and degree information here.  Post Master’s Certificate in Vocal Performance admissions and program information here.

Performer’s Certificate in Graduate Piano
The Performer’s Certificate in Graduate Piano is a non-degree certificate program that consists of 32 credits to be earned over the course of two years. The program is designed for the most advanced and gifted performers who, by their performance and credentials, demonstrate that they have serious potential to become concert artists. The program provides intensive study and performance opportunities in preparation for a concert career. For information on applying for the Performer’s Certificate in Graduate Piano, contact Joe Shively, Graduate Coordinator. Performer’s Certificate in Graduate Piano admissions and program information here.

Professional Development
Contact Joe Shively for more information about professional development opportunities in music. Professional Development admissions and program information here.

For information about graduate programs in music please contact Joseph Shively at shively@oakland.edu