Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition

The priority deadline to complete the below is December 1. Complete files will be reviewed in January. First round decisions will be mailed beginning in February. Applications completed after January 15 will be considered on a rolling basis until the program is filled.

University and Music Supplemental Application

After you create your admissions account, you will be asked to select an application type.  You will be creating two applications; a Graduate Application and also the College of Music Supplemental Application.  Both are due Dec 1.  Current MSU Music Graduate students seeking to change/add a program are required to submit both applications and pay all appropriate application fees.

Composition Portfolio

Submit a composition portfolio including scores and audio and/or video recordings (live/studio recordings strongly encouraged) as instructed below:

• The composition portfolio is submitted to the College of Music Supplemental Application via the Digital Portfolio section of the application.  Access to the Digital Portfolio will be given after the College of Music Supplemental Application is submitted.
• Submit at least three (3) but no more than five (5) original compositions representative of your creative work.  Any submission beyond five works will not be considered. 
• For notated works (with or without electronics), ignore titles and name your files in the following way, making sure score numbers match corresponding recording numbers:
  • Score 1_[Your Last Name]
  • Recording 1_[Your Last Name]
  • Score 2_[Your Last Name]
  • Recording 2_[Your Last Name]
  • Example:
    • Score 1_Hutcheson
    • Recording 1_Hutcheson
• For non-notated (fixed media works, sound art, etc.), ignore titles and name your files in the following way:
  • Media 1_[Your Last Name]
  • Media 2_[Your Last Name]
  • Example:
    • Media 1_Hutcheson
• Multi-movement works should be submitted as one single file, for both scores and audio files.
• Upload your submissions in a logical order: Score 1, followed by Audio 1, or Media 1, followed by Media 2, etc.
• To give context for works that are not notated, applicants may submit additional supporting documentation. Label this submission as “Documentation_[Your Last Name].”

Interview

After review of complete applications, invitations will be sent to select applicants in January/early February. Interviews are virtual (zoom) and will be scheduled in February and early March.

Transcripts

Prior to Dec 1, we allow applicants to upload unofficial copies of all their post-secondary transcripts and diplomas. Admitted students must submit official copies directly from their schools in order to matriculate. For transcripts from schools within the United States and Canada, we prefer electronic delivery from your school’s service, if available. If not, or for schools outside the U.S. or Canada, transcripts and diplomas must be mailed by the institution directly to the College of Music at the address below.

College of Music – Office of Admissions
Michigan State University
333 W Circle Dr, rm 149
East Lansing, MI 48824

Curriculum Vitae

To be considered for a fellowship or teaching assistantship, please provide a curriculum vitae that includes all relevant education and professional experience including:

• Group teaching experience (where, when, how long, what classes, how many, etc.)
• Private teaching experiences (where, when, how long, ages of students)
• Previous experience as a graduate assistant

Personal Statement

In your personal statement please describe your educational and musical background, goals and objectives, and future career plans. Please feel free to include any information that you feel would be helpful to the College of Music in making our admission decision. Limit your statement to 300-500 words.

Letters of Recommendation

Request letters of recommendation from three individuals familiar with your abilities in this field.  IMPORTANT NOTICE:  Only the Graduate Application requests letters of recommendations.  The College of Music Supplemental Application intentionally does not.  The letters received on the Graduate Application will be copied to the College of Music Application automatically.