General Admission Requirements
All prospective graduate students must secure approval of both the University of Northern Iowa and School of Music before admission to a degree program can be granted.
For complete application details, requirements, and instructions, please visit:
https://music.uni.edu/graduate-admissions
Application Deadlines
For fall admission, all application materials/paperwork [i.e. graduate college application, transcripts, graduate assistantship applications, etc.] must be submitted online or sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions, and these materials must be received prior to February 1. Auditions and interviews must be completed by February 15 for the following school year.
For spring admission, all materials must be received and auditions/interviews completed by November 15 for the following spring
General Requirements Special Area Requirements
For more information or questions, please contact:
Please note the following general admission requirements:
1. B.A. in Music
A baccalaureate degree, or international equivalent, with a major in music from an accredited institution, or the demonstrated equivalent in the case of foreign students.
2. Minimum GPA
Reach out to the Graduate Coordinator to discuss GPA and the current minimum requirements for the Division of Graduate Studies and School of Music.
3. Submit Application Materials
Completion and submission of all School of Music and University of Northern Iowa application materials, including application fee.
4. Qualifying TOEFL Score
International students must have a TOEFL score of 550 ( written), 213 (computer) or 79 (Internet). Scores should be sent directly to the university.
5. Audition/Interview
Successful audition or interview in desired area of specialization.
Students should contact the School of Music at 1-319-273-2024 to be connected with the appropriate faculty member to arrange for your audition/interview.
For specific repertoire and audition/interview requirements, visit:
https://music.uni.edu/graduate-admissions
Special Area Requirements
Master of Arts
In-person audition (audio recordings are permissible if an in-person audition would pose undue hardship).
Master of Music - Composition
Portfolio and recordings of compositions, interview.
Master of Music - Conducting
In-person audition and interview with at least two members of the Graduate Conducting Faculty. It is also recommended that the applicant have two years of conducting experience beyond the baccalaureate degree.
A video/DVD recording may be submitted in lieu of the in-person audition, but may not satisfy the audition requirement. Tapes/DVS's should be of high quality and show the applicant in rehearsal situations, though performance recordings may also be included. Video recordings should include two (2) or three (3) works of varying styles, and be taken so as to clearly indicate the conductor's facial and other physical gestures.
Master of Music - Jazz Pedagogy
Master of Music - Music History
Scholarly paper(s) from undergraduate studies coursework.
Master of Music - Performance
In-person audition (audio recordings are permissible if an in-person audition would pose undue hardship).
Master of Music - Piano Performance and Pedagogy
In-person audition (audio recordings are permissible if an in-person audition would pose undue hardship).
Artist Diploma
A high quality recording (DVD preferred) of unedited performance time demonstrating technical skill, musical expressive and interpretive ability. A live audition and interview may be required (other Admission requirements listed under Artist Diploma in this Handbook).