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Music, M.A.
Graduate Degree
Program Overview Request Info Program Highlights Featured Courses Career Opportunities Admission Requirements
Program Overview

The music streaming service Spotify reports there are more than 1,300 music genres in the world. Wherever your interests are along this artistic spectrum, Marshall University can be your academic and creative resource for outstanding graduate study in the field of Music.

The Master of Arts (MA) in Music at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, offers the following areas of emphasis at the graduate level. These master’s degrees in Music can typically be completed full-time in two years:

  • Music Education – Thesis and non-thesis options
  • Music History and Literature – Thesis and non-thesis options
  • Music Performance
  • Music Composition
  • Jazz Studies

Since 1979, Marshall University has been a fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Music programs at Marshall have earned recognition nationally and worldwide. Among recent distinctions, the University’s famous marching band, Marching Thunder, was invited to perform in the 2020 New Year’s Day Parade in London.

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Program Highlights
Strong Foundation

Marshall’s School of Music has an outstanding faculty dedicated to student success. Music professors and staff have achieved regional, national and international recognition for their artistry.

Performance Opportunities

Graduate Music students can take advantage of a wide range of performance opportunities, and the MA in Music degree gives students a variety of specialized areas to explore for advanced music study. The School of Music on Marshall’s Huntington, WV, campus provides excellent facilities for practice and performance by graduate Music students.

Center for Wellness in the Arts

Marshall’s Center for Wellness in the Arts is one of the few programs of its kind in the country and provides educational, preventive and therapeutic services relating to wellness and injury prevention in the performing arts.

Featured Courses
MUS 504 - University Chorus
A mixed chorus of 60-90 singers open to all university students without audition. Public performances of a variety of music are given each semester. Three rehearsals per week.
MUS 550 - Guitar Literature
A survey of the literature for guitar from c. 1400 to the twentieth century.
MUS 568 - Sixth Man Band
The Marshall University Sixth Man Band performs at all home men's and women's basketball games. The band provides music to enhance the overall game experience for players and fans.
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Career Opportunities
School of Music graduates in the MA in Music program have gone on to perform in various settings, work as church musicians, and become employed in various segments of the music industry. Other graduates pursue advanced studies or begin careers teaching music.
  • Singer
  • Music Director
  • Composer
  • Orchestra
  • Band
  • Choir
  • Choral Director
  • Orchestrators