Overview

Our fully accredited graduate composition program is tailored for those with undergraduate preparation and exceptional promise in writing music. Gain critical and theoretical knowledge in music composition, theory, history, research and technique. And do it all with the help of accomplished faculty with years of experience in the field.

You'll have opportunities to have your creative work presented during campus-sponsored concerts and state and regional conferences.

The Music Composition program from Central Michigan University, prepares you for many careers in music composition, performance and education. Alumni have gone on to work for music publishing companies like Montoya Music and ADJ Publishers.

Others have earned doctorates and secured tenure-track positions at places like Texas Christian University and the University of North Texas. And others have their works performed at conferences and festivals like the Midwest Clinic and Texas Music Educators Association.

Careers & Outcomes

Our master of music in composition graduates are equipped for a number of fulfilling careers in composing, scoring, teaching, academia, arts administration and more.

Accreditation

The composition degree is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Programme Structure

Courses included:

Seminar in Compositional Techniques

Music Theory Pedagogy

Survey of Piano Literature

History of Opera

Song Repertoire

Choral Masterworks

Wind Band Literature

Rock 'n 'Roll Seminar

Seminar in World Music

Seminar in the Music of a Selected Composer

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-26 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-07-01 00:00:00 , International
Starting 2027-01-13 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-01 00:00:00 , International

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

100

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Credits

30 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Mount Pleasant, United States

Disciplines

Music Composition View 162 other Masters in Music Composition in United States

Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

100

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution

Along with the application, you’ll need to submit a $50 application fee

Submit a copy of your passport

Submit proof of English proficiency or your intent to study English upon arrival – unless you are from an exempted country where English is the primary language of instruction.

You also may demonstrate English proficiency by completing the English studies program through CMU's English Language Institute.

Applicants must provide a third-party course-by-course credential evaluation and document verification

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

15435 USD / year

≈ 15435 USD / year
Out-of-State

12435 USD / year

≈ 12435 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

12435 USD / year

≈ 12435 USD / year

Living costs

Mount Pleasant

United States

1000 - 1500 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Music Composition.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Careers & Outcomes

Accreditation

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Mount Pleasant

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

Our partners