Music

Degree Type: Master of Arts, Master of Science
Location: Main Campus in Radford, VA
College: College of Visual and Performing Arts
Format: In-Person

Overview

The Master of Arts in Music and Master of Science in Music programs provide advanced study for musicians and music scholars in preparation of professional careers or doctoral studies.

In the Department of Music

Master of Science

Music Therapy concentration
Our program is uniquely structured to provide you with not only an intensive study of music, but also an in-depth understanding of the behavioral and natural sciences like psychology, anatomy, physiology, and sociology. You will learn how music can be used as a therapeutic modality and how it can help a wide range of people with psychological, physical, emotional, social, or cognitive disabilities.

Master of Arts

The Master of Arts program provides advanced study for musicians and music scholars to prepare for professional careers or doctoral study. Our required core includes studies in performance, history, and theory. We prepare you for a career in music through advanced development of marketing and business courses, research, recording, and performance skills.

Why Study Music at Radford?

You’ll have access to internships and be able to collaborate with professionals around the world, including opportunities to perform in Europe, Asia, and Latin America
We have state-of-the-art facilities for our music students
You get to complete a capstone project your senior year that will prepare you for your professional career
We have an internationally active performance and research faculty
Our Music Therapy graduate program consistently maintains a 92%-100% pass rate on the National Music Therapist-Board Certified Exam

Careers and Internships

What does the career outlook for musicians look like?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median hourly wage across the music industry at $50.81/hour. Musicians are employed in public schools, private schools, higher education instututions, performing arts organizations, sound recording industries, publishing, and religious organizations. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Students who graduate from the Music Therapy program most often pursue roles as music teachers, counselors, or music therapists. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists that the average salary of a music therapist in Virginia is $58,525/year.

Opportunities for Music students at Radford

As a music student at Radford, you have numerous funding sources available to you in support of research, internships, and travel for professional conferences and competitions. Various department clubs are active in extensive community service activities and professional engagement. . In addition, we have a Music Therapy Club students are encouraged to join, which is active in extensive community service activities.

Admissions Requirements

Minimum overall and in-major GPA of 2.75 is required
All graduate students in music must take written diagnostic exams in music history and theory before the end of the registration period of their first semester of study and prior to admission to regular graduate status
Three (3) letters of reference are to be submitted from professional sources (e.g., from a former professor, mentor, private teacher, etc.)
All students pursuing a M.A. in music must have completed music courses equivalent to those required for an undergraduate degree in Music at Radford University

Music Therapy Admission Requirements:

A minimum overall and in-major GPA of 2.75
Completion of written diagnostic exams in music history and theory, before the end of the registration period of your first semester of study and prior to admission to regular graduate status
3 letters of reference from professional sources (i.e., former professor/mentor, private teacher, etc.).
Completion of music courses equivalent to those required in an appropriate undergraduate degree program at Radford University
Students entering the M.S. in Music Therapy without a bachelor's degree from a NASM member institution must also present an entrance audition in their undergraduate major and minor performing areas for diagnostic purposes

90-100% pass rate

National Music Therapist Board Certified Exam
Capstone projects

completed by graduating students annually
state of the art

music instruments to perform with

Perform at world-renowned venues

Some activities our students have had opportunities to be involved with include:

Our choir students have performed at at Carnegie Hall
Our Percussion Ensemble has won national competitions
A recent guitar student won an international competition and performed at Carnegie Hall

“Obtaining a M.A. in Music from Radford University enabled me to qualify for my current job as Department Chairman and Associate Professor of Music at Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst, NC."

Ryan Book, D.M.A. 09

Ready to Study at Radford?

We want to get to know you better and we are excited that you are ready to take your next step and learn more about us. We are here to help you and look forward to working with you during your college search process.