Composition, MM
Composer, arts, audio, composing, electronic, theory
Expand your knowledge, advance your skill set as a music composer and work with renowned faculty with diverse musical specialties.
The Master of Music program in composition is a comprehensive professional degree offering for you if you are an outstanding student of acoustic, electronic or multimedia composition.
You develop your own compositional voice and focus on your area of interest, regardless of style or aesthetics, while gaining extensive knowledge through coursework and private lessons with faculty members.
You have multiple performance opportunities, including readings by the Symphony Orchestra and visiting ensembles; yearlong residencies with the ASU Wind Ensembles and Philharmonia Orchestra; commissions for the PRISMS contemporary music festival; and collaborations with student performers, animators, filmmakers and dancers.
The program provides extensive faculty interaction and opportunities to develop advanced skills in compositional techniques from a wide variety of styles and traditions, with emphasis on fostering your personal approach to composition. Through collaborations with music scholars, theorists, performers, educators and other composers, you develop a broad and well-rounded foundation for advanced careers in music.
- College/school:
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
- Location: Tempe
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
32 credit hours including a thesis and a written comprehensive exam, or
32 credit hours including a thesis, a written comprehensive exam and an oral comprehensive exam, or
32 credit hours including a written comprehensive exam and the required applied project course (MTC 593), or
32 credit hours including a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam and the required applied project course (MTC 593)
Composition (9 credit hours) Electives (8 credit hours) Music Theory and Music History (9 credit hours) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Requirements Written and oral comprehensive exams may be required. Consultation with the program advisor is recommended. Additional information on degree requirements is available on the curriculum checksheet located at the bottom of the school's degree page.
MTC 593 Applied Project (6)
MTC 599 Thesis (6)
All new graduate music students must complete diagnostic exams in musicology and music theory before enrolling in the ASU School of Music, Dance and Theatre.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S.
applicants | International
applicants | English
proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a U.S. bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from an institution in another country that is officially recognized by that country.
Applicants must have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 credit hours or 90 quarter hours of their first bachelor's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- School of Music, Dance and Theatre application, including a resume and personal statement
- official transcripts
- prescreening portfolio
- three letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. To meet English proficiency requirements, students should have a minimum TOEFL iBT® score of 4, or 80 (taken at a testing center) if taken before January 21, 2026; an IELTS overall band score of at least 6.5; or a Pearson Test of English score of at least 60.
The School of Music, Dance and Theatre does not offer conditional admission under any circumstances.
Although a bachelor's degree in music is not required to be eligible for admission, applicants who do not hold an undergraduate degree in music may wish to take foundational courses in music theory and history, as recommended by their advisor.
Applicants should see the program website for application deadlines. After complete application materials (including recommendation letters, transcripts and proof of English proficiency) are received and prescreening materials are reviewed, an applicant may be invited for an interview.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Final |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 10/01 | Final |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:
- Critique compositions in a variety of styles, applying theoretical understanding of compositional techniques.
- Create an original portfolio that synthesizes principles of composition.
- Interpret specific musical products within the context of a specific historic or cultural tradition.
The School of Music, Dance and Theatre graduate programs inspire and empower students to become creative leaders who transform society through music.
Musicians with expertise in performing, composing, teaching, researching and advocating for the arts are in high demand across many sectors and industries, including performing arts organizations, educational institutions, entertainment companies, health and wellness industries and community arts organizations. Skills such as creativity, collaboration, innovation and entrepreneurship, as well as the focused discipline needed for success as a musician, are all highly valued by a wide variety of companies and professions.
Career examples include:
- arts administrator
- community arts advocate
- composer for film, video games or television
- performing musician
- public or community school teacher
- university professor
School of Music, Dance and Theatre
|
MUSIC E167
mdtadmissions@asu.edu
480-965-5069
Admission deadlines
Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
