Doctor of Audiology
USD's Au.D. program is a comprehensive four-year post-baccalaureate curriculum that...
Master of Music
Vermillion, South Dakota
INTAKE: Jan, May & Aug
Program Overview
The M.M. program at USD is designed to cultivate the skills necessary for success in a diverse range of musical careers. Students can choose from several specializations, including Music Education (with online options), Performance (vocal or instrumental), Collaborative Piano, Conducting (choral or instrumental), Music History, and the unique History of Musical Instruments (in conjunction with the National Music Museum). The program typically requires 30-38 credit hours and offers both thesis and non-thesis tracks, allowing students to tailor their academic journey to their specific interests and career goals. The emphasis is on developing students as accomplished performers, scholars, and educators, fostering creative thinking and collaborative work.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the M.M. program is comprehensive and specialized, depending on the chosen area of emphasis. Core studies often include advanced music theory, music history, and research methodologies. For instance, Music Education students may take courses in "Psychological Foundations of Music Learning" and "Trends in Music Education." Performance students receive intensive one-on-one instruction and participate in numerous performance opportunities, including recitals. Music History students delve into "Music Cultures of the World" and various style periods from classical antiquity to the present. The History of Musical Instruments specialization offers unique coursework related to conservation, research, and cataloging. Collaborative Piano students focus on repertoire development across vocal and instrumental duos, chamber ensembles, and opera. Conducting specializations provide advanced technical and theoretical knowledge for leading choral or instrumental ensembles.
Research Focus: The research focus within the M.M. program varies by specialization. For Music History and History of Musical Instruments, scholarly research is central, with students engaging in in-depth study of musical literature, historical periods, and the material culture of music. The National Music Museum, housing one of the world's greatest collections of musical instruments, offers unparalleled research opportunities for students in the History of Musical Instruments program, allowing them to work directly with renowned staff and explore specialized archives. For performance and conducting specializations, "research" often manifests as extensive repertoire study, critical analysis of scores, and the application of historical performance practices, culminating in scholarly recitals or conducting projects. Music Education students engage in research in areas like pedagogical methodologies and learning psychology.
Industry Engagement: USD's Department of Music actively connects students with real-world experiences and professional opportunities. Students have opportunities to perform on campus and tour annually in the region, nationally, and even internationally. The Department maintains strong ties with professional musicians, guest artists, and a broad alumni network, facilitating networking and mentorship. Graduate assistantships are frequently available, providing valuable professional experience through teaching undergraduate courses, assisting with ensembles, or working in the National Music Museum. Music Education students, in particular, benefit from nearly 100% job placement upon graduation, often securing teaching positions. The program's connections with professional organizations and ensembles further enhance career prospects.
Global Perspective: The M.M. program at USD fosters a global perspective through its comprehensive study of music history, which spans diverse cultures and time periods. Courses such as "Music Cultures of the World" broaden students' understanding of global musical traditions. Performance opportunities, including national and international tours by student ensembles, provide direct exposure to different audiences and cultural contexts. The unique Master of Music with a specialization in the History of Musical Instruments, with its connection to a globally renowned museum collection, inherently encourages a global understanding of musical heritage and instrument development. This exposure helps graduates to engage with and contribute to the rich tapestry of global music, whether through performance, research, or education.
Location
Vermillion, South Dakota
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 12800
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $38
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
The University of South Dakota (USD) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities specifically designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals. These scholarships help reduce the financial burden of studying abroad and make quality education at USD more accessible to talented students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: USD awards merit-based scholarships to international students based on their academic achievements, leadership potential, and extracurricular involvement. These scholarships recognize outstanding high school or previous college performance and are renewable for multiple years, provided students maintain satisfactory academic progress.
International Student Academic Scholarships: These scholarships are specifically tailored for international undergraduate students and can cover a significant portion of tuition fees. Eligibility is typically based on a combination of academic excellence and the completion of the admission process by specified deadlines. Many of these scholarships are automatically considered upon application, so no separate application is required.
Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships: For international graduate students, USD provides graduate assistantships and fellowships that offer financial support alongside valuable professional experience. These opportunities often include tuition waivers and a stipend in exchange for research, teaching, or administrative work within the university.
Departmental Scholarships: Certain USD academic departments and colleges offer specialized scholarships for international students pursuing specific fields of study, such as business, health sciences, or fine arts. These scholarships often reward exceptional talent and dedication within those disciplines.
A Master of Music (M.M.) from the University of South Dakota (USD) offers graduates a robust foundation for a diverse range of careers within the broad and dynamic world of music. Beyond traditional performance, this advanced degree equips individuals with refined musicianship, pedagogical expertise, scholarly research skills, and an understanding of the business and historical contexts of music, making them highly adaptable professionals. The job outlook for music educators is generally stable, with a projected growth in employment, and opportunities also exist in various non-performance roles within the arts and culture sectors.
University/College Professor (Music): A primary path for M.M. graduates, particularly for those with specializations in Music History, Music Education, or Performance, involves teaching at colleges, universities, or conservatories. This includes instructing in areas like music theory, history, performance, composition, or ensemble conducting.
K-12 Music Educator: Graduates with a Music Education specialization are highly sought after for positions as music teachers in elementary, middle, and high schools, leading band, choir, orchestra, or general music programs. An M.M. often leads to higher pay scales and opportunities for leadership roles within school districts.
Professional Performer/Conductor: For those specializing in Performance or Conducting, the M.M. provides the advanced training and repertoire mastery necessary to pursue careers as professional instrumentalists, vocalists, or conductors in orchestras, opera companies, choral ensembles, or chamber groups.
Music Historian/Musicologist: Graduates with a Music History specialization can pursue careers as music historians or musicologists, often within academia, archives, or museums. They conduct research, write scholarly articles and books, and provide historical context for musical works and traditions.
Music Librarian/Archivist: With expertise in music history, theory, and research, M.M. graduates are well-suited for roles in music libraries or archives. They manage collections of scores, recordings, and historical documents, assisting researchers and preserving musical heritage. The National Music Museum at USD provides unique training for this area.
Arts Administrator/Program Manager: Leveraging organizational and communication skills, graduates can work in arts administration for symphony orchestras, opera companies, music festivals, non-profit arts organizations, or university arts departments, managing programming, fundraising, marketing, and operations.
Collaborative Pianist: Specializing in Collaborative Piano, these musicians work as accompanists for vocalists, instrumentalists, choirs, and dance companies, often in academic settings, opera houses, or private studios.
Music Producer/Audio Engineer (with artistic insight): While often requiring additional technical training, an M.M. provides a deep understanding of musical structure, orchestration, and performance that can be invaluable in music production and audio engineering roles, particularly for classical, jazz, or acoustic genres.
Music Director (Religious/Community Organizations): Graduates are well-prepared to lead music programs in churches, community choirs, or theatrical productions, overseeing musical selections, rehearsals, and performances.
Instrument Curator/Conservator: Graduates with a specialization in the History of Musical Instruments, particularly those who have worked with the National Music Museum, are uniquely qualified for roles involving the care, research, restoration, and exhibition of historical musical instruments in museums or private collections.
