Masters Programs
Application Process
Before you begin your application, contact Dr. Michael Vercelli, Director of Graduate Studies, at Michael.Vercelli@mail.wvu.edu. Dr. Vercelli will connect you with the faculty member in your area of specialization.
Prospective graduate students in music are required to have completed the appropriate curriculum of undergraduate study in music at WVU or its equivalent at another institution of recognized-standing.
Application deadline for the most advantageous consideration is March 1. To pursue admission to our graduate degree programs, the following steps should be completed as early as possible:
- Go to https://graduateadmissions.wvu.edu/how-to-apply and follow the instructions for applying to WVU according to your needs: as a first-time applicant, a second degree applicant, a non-degree applicant, or an international applicant. Your application will include a $60 application fee. (You are considered a second degree applicant if you have previously applied and attended West Virginia University for graduate school. You are considered a re-applying applicant if you previously applied but did not attend West Virginia University for graduate school.)
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Request official transcripts from all institutions previously attended to be sent directly to
Office of Graduate Admissions and Recruitment
PO BOX 6510
Morgantown WV 26506 - Please complete the SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS portion by uploading a personal statement/letter of intent and a resume/vitae, as directed. In addition, please upload a repertoire list under the heading OTHER.
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Submit the School of Music Application for Graduate Admission.
Fill out our Graduate Application Online. - Please provide 3 letters of recommendation by forwarding the following link to 3 recommenders. Alternatively, recommenders can send a letter of recommendation on letterhead directly to the School of Music at the following email address: Music@mail.wvu.edu.
- Applicants seeking admission as composition majors must submit representative compositions directly to the School of Music for evaluation and approval.
International students should follow the steps to apply for an international student and submit a completed WVU application with the mandatory application fee to the WVU Office of Graduate Admissions. International applicants should forward a letter of inquiry one year before they intend to begin study in the United States. The University receives a large number of applications from international students. For this reason and because of the time required for the student to make visa and financial arrangements, April 1 has been established as a deadline after which completed applications cannot be guaranteed for fall admission.
a. Results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS. Results from these exams must be sent directly to WVU by the Educational Testing Service. A minimum score of 79 is required for the current TOEFL exam; a minimum score of 6.5 is required for the current IELTS exam. Students who have taken the older paper based TOEFL exam need a score of 550. Students who have taken the older computer based TOEFL exam need a score of 213.
If you do not meet admission scores for the TOEFL you may be interested in the WVU Intensive English Program
When your admissions file is complete, all applicants must schedule an audition and interview with the faculty in your area of specialization. Music Education students will schedule the audition/interview through the Music Education Faculty.
Students applying to graduate degree programs in Music Education must also:
- Submit a current resume to the Office of Graduate Studies in Music.
- Submit an essay describing and discussing your training, experiences, and present interests in the field of Music Education. Also, discuss your career aspirations five years from now as they relate to earning master’s (or doctoral) degree in Music Education to the Office of Graduate Studies in Music.
- Submit a video recording of teaching, preferably a K-12 music class or rehearsal, and a lesson plan to accompany the recording. Please submit a detailed lesson plan for each class or rehearsal presented on your video of teaching. The video recording container should clearly indicate your name, instrument, and degree program for which you are applying. Recordings should have been made within the six months prior to the submission of the application. Video recordings must be of high quality. The preferable format is DVD, and the disc should clearly indicate that it is a DVD format. Applicants should review the video recording in its entirety to ensure audio, visual, and technical clarity before mailing. (This is not required if you are applying for the Master of Music, Music Education Certification option) to the Office of Graduate Studies in Music.
Any recordings or videos on disc submitted for your admissions file will be held no more than one year. If you would like such materials to be returned to you, please provide a self addressed, stamped envelope.
