Ball State University's graduate programs in music are open to students who present evidence of their ability to sustain a program of study at an advanced level. The requirements and procedures outlined here are for students seeking admission to the master of music or master of arts in music degree programs. Graduate students also have the opportunity to earn credits toward a second master's degree or under a "nondegree" classification.

General Requirements
Master's applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university and must satisfy one of the following requirements:

• Have an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
• Have a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) during the last two years of undergraduate work.
• Show a 3.0 average in 9 semester hours of graduate work at Ball State approved by the chairperson of the major department and approved in advance by the graduate dean and a score on the Graduate Record Exam acceptable to the academic unit in which the student intends to major. These students will be considered nondegree students until the conditions of their admission have been met.
  

Ordinarily, applicants will have majored or minored in music at the undergraduate level. Compensatory course work will be required for students whose undergraduate majors did not fully prepare them for graduate work in music.

Application Process
Prospective master's students must apply to and meet the admission requirements of both the Graduate School and the School of Music. Learn more about master's application materials.

Non-U.S. residents must apply for admission through Ball State's Center for International Programs. International students must meet all of the university's regular admission requirements. All credentials from foreign secondary schools, colleges, universities, and their equivalents are evaluated by the Center for International Programs. Phone: (765) 285-5422.

Ball State's Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Policy is available online. 

Transfer Credits
Academic credits may be transferred, if approved, for graduate-level courses taken at accredited institutions. The number of transfer credits allowable on master's programs is limited to 9 semester hours. Each request for transfer credit is considered individually on its own merits.

More Information
To receive a full set of application materials, contact Linda Pohly, coordinator of graduate programs in music. For complete information on program requirements, please consult the Music Graduate Handbook and the Ball State University Graduate Catalog.