The University of West Georgia is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

Through its undergraduate programs and associated activities, the Department of Music provides:

  • instruction designed to develop the musical understandings, performance abilities, and creative and critical skills of all music students.
  • opportunities to develop the pedagogical insights and communication skills of prospective teachers.
  • opportunities to develop a high degree of professionalism in scholarship and in performance.
  • opportunities for non-major students to broaden their acquaintance with the musical art through study and performance.

Through its graduate programs and associated activities, the department provides opportunities for the graduate student in music to:

  • develop an advanced level of musical understandings and performance ability.
  • foster the advancement of creative and critical skills.
  • develop sophisticated pedagogical insights and advanced communication skills.
  • produce scholarly and creative works in the fields of music and music education.

 

View all music academic programs

Undergraduate Degrees 

  • Bachelor of Music in Music Education
    This program is intended for those students who wish to teach music in the schools at the elementary, middle, and/or high school level. Students who complete this program have many career options in teaching and performance and can opt to pursue graduate study and seek teaching positions in higher education.  Options under this degree program include 1) Keyboard & Guitar, 2) Voice, and 3) Woodwind, Brass & Percusion.
  • Bachelor of Music in Performance
    This program is designed for those students who wish to pursue a professional performance career, pursue graduate study and seek teaching positions in higher education, or establish private studios.

  • Bachelor of Music in Performance with emphasis in Jazz Studies
    This program is intended for those students who wish to pursue the performance degree with a special emphasis in jazz. Students in this program take specialized courses in jazz improvisation, jazz composition and arranging, and jazz history.

  • Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance/Emphasis in Piano Pedagogy
    This program is intended for those students who wish to pursue the performance degree with a special emphasis in piano pedagogy. Students in this program take specialized courses in piano pedagogy, keyboard literature, and collaborative performance.

  • Bachelor of Music in Composition
    This program is designed for those students who wish to become composers or who wish to pursue graduate study and seek teaching positions in higher education.

Minors and Certifications

  • Music Minor
    The music minor is designed for undergraduate students who wish to continue formal study in music while earning a degree in another field of study. The typical music-minor student actively performs in the University's choral and vocal ensembles, bands, percussion groups, and small ensembles.

  • Initial Certification Program in Music Education (P-12)
    The Initial Certification Program in Music Education is a non-degree program designed for those individuals who have an earned undergraduate degree in music from an accredited institution and wish to obtain certification to teach music (P-12) in Georgia.

Graduate Degrees

  • Master of Music in Music Education
    This fully online program is intended for those individuals who seek advanced licensure in music teaching or for those who wish to pursue doctoral study and seek teaching positions in higher education.

  • Master of Music in Performance
    This program is intended for those individuals who seek advanced training in music performance and/or wish to pursue doctoral study and seek teaching positions in higher education.
  • Master of Music Degree Admission Requirements
    Departmental Admission Requirements

    In addition to meeting the university’s Admission requirements, the applicant must hold a baccalaureate degree in music or the equivalent. Applicants seeking to enroll in the Master of Music in Music Education program must hold an undergraduate degree in Music Education, or an Undergraduate degree in Music PLUS professional teacher certification in Music. The Master of Music in Music Education program is 100% online. Students may use approved campus-based classes as electives.

    Once an applicant has met Regular standards for graduate admission, he/she will be required to meet all departmental admission requirements for a Master of Music degree program. Any graduate courses completed prior to Regular Admission may apply to a Master of Music degree program after a student has successfully met all departmental admission requirements. Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can address the applicant’s academic, personal, and professional suitability for graduate-level work in Performance or Music Education, as appropriate, are required. Applicants for the Master of Music in Music Education program must also submit a written statement of 400-500 words. Possible topics may include goals in pursuing a graduate degree, personal philosophy of teaching, or experiences that have prepared you for an advanced degree.

    All Persons who seek departmental admission to a Master of Music degree program must successfully complete the Graduate Music Qualifying Exam to be admitted and register for classes. In addition, all applicants for the Master of Music in Performance must successfully complete the Graduate Performance Evaluation (audition). The online application for graduate admission may be found here:

    Apply


    Questions regarding graduate admission to the university should be addressed to the Office of Graduate and International Admissions at 678-839-1393.
    If you have questions regarding Department of Music graduate programs, please contact the Department of Music at 678-839-6261 or khibbard@westga.edu.

    Graduate Music Qualifying Examination

    The Graduate Music Qualifying Examination in music history and music theory is administered to determine whether the applicant meets competency standards for graduate study in music. Competencies are evaluated in:
    • Music History
    • Musical Styles (aural identification)
    • Music Theory
    • Aural Skills

    The exam is taken at an approved, proctored testing site, either on the West Georgia campus or at a remote location. Testing fees are the responsibility of the candidate. A minimum score of 60% correct response on each section of the examination is required for passage. It may be taken a maximum of three times.

    Vocal Principals seeking the Master of Music degree in Performance are required to write an English translation of one short poem from song texts written in the original French, German, or Italian language. A text in one of the three languages must be translated. The applicant may use a hard copy foreign language dictionary when taking the examination.

    Graduate Applied Performance Evaluation

    An Applied Performance Evaluation is administered to determine if the applicant meets minimum performance standards for admission to the Master of Music in Performance program. Minimum standards are evaluated through the applicant’s presentation of a 20-30-minute entrance recital for the faculty, prior to the first term of enrollment. Applicants must provide their own accompanists.