Graduate Programs

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.

Graduate Admissions
Applications to graduate degree and certificate programs are 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 about assistantships in performance, contact Email Dr. Tian Tian. 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. Request an Assistantship Application.

Auditions
An audition is required for those applying to conducting, pedagogy and performance programs. Performance and pedagogy auditions are held on departmental audition days. Please register for a performance or pedagogy audition. Choral Conducting auditions may be scheduled directly with Prof. Mike Mitchell at [email protected]. Instrumental Conducting auditions may be scheduled directly with Prof. Greg Cunningham at [email protected].

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. Submit the writing sample to the OU SMTD Graduate application portal.

Master of Music Program
The Master of Music (MM) offers majors in conducting, education, pedagogy and performance. Each major within the MM is a 32-credit program that includes a shared core, courses required for the major, and electives. For more information on the Master of Music in Education, contact Dr. Cat Bennett. For all other Master of Music programs, contact Dr. Tian Tian.

Majors
Please contact the major teacher in your area of interest for more specific questions about the coursework and degree. https://www.oakland.edu/smtd/faculty-staff/

• Conducting (Choral and Instrumental) - The Master of Music in conducting is a 32-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

• Music Education - The Master of Music in music education is a 32-credit program designed to meet the needs of the unique music teacher and to help them expand and extend their professional skills and understandings.
  Music Education admissions and degree information
  
  
• World Percussion Performance - The Master of Music in world percussion performance is a 32-credit program for highly experienced percussionists, designed to enable them to expand their knowledge of global percussion repertoire and technique, and to further their personal performance skills and musical understanding.
  World Percussion Performance admissions and degree information
  Click to view a handout for this degree
  
  
• Pedagogy - The Master of Music in piano or vocal pedagogy is a 32-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
  Vocal Pedagogy admissions and degree information
  
  
• Performance - The Master of Music in instrumental or piano or voice performance is a 32-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

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 [email protected].
Ph. D. in Music Education admissions and degree information

For more information about Professional Development, the Master of Music and Graduate Certificates, please contact Dr. Tian Tian or call (248) 370-2048.

For more information about the Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education, please contact [email protected].