Graduate Student Admission

General Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree: To be admitted to the MM/MME degree programs, students must possess a Bachelor of Music or its equivalent, with a major in the area of proposed graduate study, including sophomore-level credit in an approved foreign language in the case of prospective majors in musicology, theory, composition, voice, or voice pedagogy.

Academic Standards: For  admission, the student must have satisfactory undergraduate preparation for the particular degree sought which includes at least a “B” average (comparable to at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale) in all undergraduate work and satisfactory scores on the appropriate tests required by the school/college.

International Student Requirements – A minimum score of 80 on the iBT, TOEFL, 6.5 on the IELTS or 105 on the Duolingo English test is required for admission. The TOEFL may be waived for students who hold undergraduate degrees from a university with English as the language of instruction.Test scores must be sent to TCU from the testing agency  to school code: 6820. Official scores must be sent to TCU from testing agency by application deadline for application to be considered “complete”. Applicants will not be invited to audition without official scores that meet the standard for admission. See other requirements for international students.

Exemption: Exemptions to this requirement are given if the student has completed (or will before matriculation to TCU) an undergraduate degree from a US institution or from a university where English is the language of instruction. To request consideration for this exemption, submit official final or most current official in-progress transcript using the directions below and indicate exemption request on Accept’d music application when prompted. Translations must be provided for all international transcripts.

Master of Music and Master of Music Education degree plans

Complete Applications

Prospective applicants should consult the School of Music website links below and with faculty in their intended major area for specific requirements and expectations and additional application requirements.

To begin the application process, follow these application guidelines below:

Step 1: Apply to TCU Graduate Studies A $60 application fee is required for this application.

Step 2: Apply to TCU School of Music An additional $35 application fee is required for this application.

Step 3: Complete Music Theory Diagnostic Test Please complete and upload hand-written scanned test into your Acceptd application.

In addition to completing the above three items, please include in your application:

• Personal statement of your experience and vocational goals, and discuss how the program at TCU can help you achieve those goals. Upload in Accept’d.
• Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts of all colleges attended must be uploaded with your CollegeNet university application. An English translation of all International transcripts is also required. We do not provide this service.  DO NOT mail official transcript at this time. The School of Music does not require official transcripts unless you are admitted or are requesting an exemption to International English Proficiency Scores. If admitted or providing proof of exemption for TOEFL scores, please send official electronic transcripts directly from the Registrar’s Office of each institution to tcugradstudies@tcu.edu.
• Three names of persons qualified to comment on the applicant’s academic musical achievement, teaching and/or professional experience, and potential for success in the degree program. These will be requested electronically through the School of Music Graduate Admission/Audition Request Application on Acceptd. You will need to supply the e-mail address of each reference for this option at the time of application (but not the letters themselves).
• CV or résumé. For Collaborative Piano – Include a repertoire list of both solo and collaborative repertoire. Upload on Accept’d.
• Audition Video/Recording – required audition pre-screening recording(s) uploaded in Accept’d.

Optional Materials:

• The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is optional for applicants in all MM/MME programs. Student are not required to take the GRE, but are strongly encouraged to do so and submit scores prior to admission. The test scores, along with other materials, provide valuable information aiding in the evaluation and placement of students. Test scores must be sent to TCU from the testing agency to school code: 6820.

International Requirements:

• Official English Proficiency Score –Required for international students. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or equivalent examination is required for all international applicants for the Master’s degree program. Students are required to achieve a minimum score of 80 on the iBT, TOEFL, 6.5 on the IELTS or 105 on the Duolingo English test. Official scores must be sent to TCU from the testing agency. The TOEFL may be waived for students with an undergraduate degree from a university with English as the language of instruction. Be sure to take the exam early enough that scores are available during the admission process. Test scores must be sent to TCU from the testing agency  to school code: 6820.  See other requirements for international students.

Additional Information:

• Please read the answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) portion of the Graduate website.
• All applicants are considered for financial aid on a merit basis.  There is no separate application for financial aid.

The TCU Master of Music degree program provides the student with resources to successfully continue their study of music with an emphasis in performance, pedagogy, collaborative piano, musicology, theory/composition and music education.

To assure full consideration for the Fall 2026 term, an application must be completed online and ALL supporting materials pertaining to the application for admission must be delivered to the TCU College of Fine Arts Office of Graduate Studies BEFORE December 1, 2025. Optimal consideration for scholarships and assistantships will be given to applications completed fully with ALL supporting materials received by the preferred deadline of December 1, 2025.

• December 1 – Preferred Deadline 

*Those who complete both Accept’d and TCU Graduate Studies applications and have all materials submitted by December 1 will be given priority scheduling if invited to audition. For full audition invitation and admission consideration, all application materials must be received by December 1. Optimal consideration for scholarships and assistantships will be given to applications completed fully with ALL supporting materials received by December 1.

• January 15 – Regular Deadline 

*Those who complete both Accept’d and TCU Graduate Studies applications and have all materials submitted by January 15 will be reviewed but may not be guaranteed their preferred audition date and time if invited to audition. 

• February 1 – Final Deadline 

*Those who complete both Accept’d and TCU Graduate Studies applications and have all materials submitted by February 1 are not guaranteed to be reviewed before the final audition date below.

January 24

January 31

February 7

*Please note that Masters candidates in conducting may have a different audition date (will be scheduled close to above dates). All auditions/interviews are by invitation and in-person on campus.

For full consideration, it is preferred that applicants seeking admission to the MM/MME programs complete their application by December 1 to be considered for a fall matriculation. All materials – transcripts, GRE, recommenders’ email addresses, TOEFL, etc. must be received by the graduate office in order to be considered complete. Incomplete files will not be considered for admission.

Requested official transcripts for all college work should be sent by an electronic transcript service  to: tcugradstudies@tcu.edu. Translations must be provided for all international transcripts. Unless requested otherwise, all other items should be submitted electronically through the School of Music Admission Application on Acceptd.

• Brass
• Collaborative Piano
• Composition
• Conducting
• Music Theory
• Musicology
• Organ
• Percussion
• Piano
• Piano Pedagogy
• Strings
• Voice
• Woodwinds

College of Fine Arts graduate studies

Master of Music degree offerings

General Admission Requirements

Master’s Degree: Doctor of Musical Arts applicants must hold a master’s degree (by matriculation) in either music or music education (or the equivalent) of at least 30 credit hours from an accredited college, university, or comparable institution.

Academic Standards: Must present a grade point average of at least 3.0 for all previous graduate level work (A = 4.0). Appropriate preparation for the doctoral study will vary according to the major/degree plan chosen; therefore; prospective applicants should consult the School of Music website and with faculty in their intended major area.

International Student Requirements: A minimum score of 100 on the iBT, TOEFL, 7 on the IELTS or 120 on the Duolingo English test is required for admission. Students who have earned a degree (in music) at an English-language university may be exempted from taking the TOEFL, at the discretion of the School of Music. Be sure to take the exam early enough that scores are available during the admission process. Official scores must be sent to TCU from testing agency by application deadline for application to be considered “complete”. Applicants will not be invited to audition without official scores that meet the standard for admission. Test scores must be sent to TCU from the testing agency to school code: 6820.  See other requirements for international students.

Exemption: Exemptions to this requirement are given if the student has completed (or will before matriculation to TCU) a degree from a US institution or from a university where English is the language of instruction. To request consideration for this exemption, submit official final or most current official in-progress transcript using the directions below and indicate exemption request on Accept’d music application when prompted. Translations must be provided for all international transcripts.

To find out more about TCU School of Music’s doctoral degree plans, please see the TCU catalog description.

Complete Applications

To begin the application process, follow these application guidelines below:

Step 1: Apply to TCU Graduate Studies ($60 non-refundable application fee)

Step 2: Apply to TCU School of Music ($35 non-refundable application fee)

Please note: You do not need to wait for an admission decision from TCU before starting your Accept’d music application. We encourage you to move forward with both applications promptly to ensure timely consideration.

Demonstrate Academic Standing

• Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts of all colleges attended must be uploaded with your CollegeNet university application. An English translation of all International transcripts is also required. We do not provide this service.  DO NOT mail official transcripts at this time. The School of Music does not require official transcripts unless you are admitted or are requesting an exemption to International English Proficiency Scores. If admitted or providing proof of exemption for TOEFL scores, please send official electronic transcripts directly from the Registrar’s Office of each institution to tcugradstudies@tcu.edu.
• Academic Testing: academic testing to be adjudicated through audition/interview process. 

Within the Accept’d application, please:

• Submit the emails of three individuals who can provide current letters of reference. These individuals should be qualified to comment on the applicant’s academic musical achievement, teaching and/or professional experience, and potential for success in the degree program. The letters will be requested electronically through the School of Music Graduate Admission/Audition Request Application on Acceptd.
• Upload a double-spaced typed paper of five pages or more that illustrates the applicant’s writing and research skills. A term paper completed as part of master’s level work is sufficient, or the student may submit a research paper, a critical analysis, or an article suitable for publication.
• Upload a curriculum vitae that includes a list of concert performances, compositions, publications, and other musical accomplishments.

Optional Materials

• The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is optional for applicants in all DMA programs. Student are not required to take the GRE, but are encouraged to do so and submit scores prior to admission. The test scores, along with other materials, provide valuable information aiding in the evaluation and placement of students. Test scores must be sent to TCU from the testing agency to school code: 6820.

International Requirements

• Official English proficiency test score –Required for international students. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or equivalent is required for all international applicants for the Doctoral degree program. Official scores must be sent to TCU from the testing agency. A minimum score of 100 on the iBT, TOEFL, 7 on the IELTS or 120 on the Duolingo English test is required for admission.  The TOEFL may be waived for students with an undergraduate or graduate degree from a university with English as the language of instruction. Be sure to take the exam early enough that scores are available during the admission process. Test scores must be sent to TCU from the testing agency  to school code: 6820.  See other requirements for international students. Be sure to take the exam early enough that scores are available during the admission process. Test scores must be sent to TCU from the testing agency to school code: 6820.  See other requirements for international students.

Please note that all applicants are considered for scholarships and assistantships on a merit basis.  There is no separate application for financial aid.

In addition, applicants must complete the requirements for the major field of study as described below:  

Performance
Applicants must submit a video recording of a live performance and include a program (PDF preferred). These required materials are uploaded through the School of Music Admission Application. *Please note that DMA, organ candidates will not be accepted for the Fall 2025 admission cycle.

Composition
Applicants must submit five scores of recent works with recordings, as available. These electronic files will be uploaded as part of the School of Music Admission Application. See complete admission directions.

Conducting
Applicants must submit a video recording of a recent ensemble performance and rehearsal conducted by the applicant and a repertoire list of significant conducted, as well as those prepared for conducting. These required materials are uploaded through the School of Music Admission Application.

Pedagogy
Students must submit a 15 minute DVD recording of their teaching. The teaching excerpt should include a private lesson and may include a group lesson. International students should submit a video demonstrating their ability to teach using the English language. (Teaching excerpts can be uploaded as part of the School of Music Admission Application.)

To assure full consideration for the Fall 2026 term, an application must be completed online and ALL supporting materials pertaining to the application for admission must be delivered to the TCU College of Fine Arts Office of Graduate Studies BEFORE December 1, 2025. Optimal consideration for scholarships and assistantships will be given to applications completed fully with ALL supporting materials received by the preferred deadline of December 1, 2025. All materials – transcripts, GRE, recommenders’ email addresses, TOEFL, etc. must be received by the graduate office in order to be considered complete. Incomplete files will not be considered for admission.

• December 1 – Preferred Deadline 

*Those who complete both Accept’d and TCU Graduate Studies applications and have all materials submitted by December 1 will be given priority scheduling if invited to audition. 

• January 15 – Regular Deadline 

*Those who complete both Accept’d and TCU Graduate Studies applications and have all materials submitted by January 15 will be reviewed but may not be guaranteed their preferred audition date and time if invited to audition. 

• February 1 – Final Deadline 

*Those who complete both Accept’d and TCU Graduate Studies applications and have all materials submitted by February 1 are not guaranteed to be reviewed before the final audition date below.

Based on the results of pre-screening, an invitation may be extended to perform an on-campus audition and/or interview in the major area before a faculty committee. Applicants should not select an audition day (including scheduling travel) until they have received an official invitation to do so. If invited, the audition/interview should be arranged in coordination with the faculty in the major area and the School of Music Admissions Coordinator. Consult the faculty in your major area for instructions concerning the audition requirements, material to bring, etc.

Conducting DMA Auditions:

To be scheduled with ensemble directors.

All Other DMA Audition Dates:

January 24

January 31

February 7

*All auditions/interviews are by invitation and in-person on campus.

• Brass
• Composition
• Conducting
• Percussion
• Piano
• Piano Pedagogy
• Strings
• Voice
• Woodwinds