Master's Degree in Music Composition
OVERVIEW
Who is this program for?
The Master of Music with an emphasis in Composition is ideal for musicians who want to refine their creative voice and develop advanced skills in writing original works across a variety of musical genres. It’s a strong fit for those pursuing careers as professional composers, arrangers, or preparing for doctoral study in composition.
Program Overview
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Music Composition is a terminal degree program designed for composers seeking to refine their creative voice and develop a professional portfolio of original works. Through intensive study in composition, orchestration, theory, and contemporary techniques, students work closely with faculty mentors and ensembles to bring their music to life. The program emphasizes both artistic innovation and practical experience, preparing graduates for careers in concert music, film scoring, multimedia collaboration, and higher education.
The faculty members of UK theory & composition are engaged in active creation and research with distinction in popular music studies, pedagogy, Schenkerian studies, 19th-century music, and commissioned compositions. Our program is small enough to enable extensive direct contact with faculty, and our graduates find themselves well-prepared for their careers or further study. The program currently focuses on traditional composition, but electro-acoustic music is offered as an option and may at some point be offered as a separate program.
The University of Kentucky School of Music is internationally recognized for excellence in performance, music education and research in music. For over 100 years, the School has helped musicians prepare for careers as performers, educators, researchers, and a wide array of leadership positions both in and outside of the field of music. Students have abundant opportunities to participate in prestigious ensembles – from orchestras to choirs to the Wildcat Marching Band – that perform throughout the U.S. and the world.
Our Accreditation
The University of Kentucky is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Visit the NASM website for more information.
FIND OUT EXACTLY
What You'll Learn
Degree requirements, course descriptions and academic policies for all programs are detailed in the University Catalog.
Admission Requirements
Please view the Graduate School's Admission Requirements. If there are Additional Requirements listed below, those program-specific requirements also apply.
Application Requirements
Please view the application requirements for the Graduate School. If there are Additional Requirements listed below, those program-specific requirements also apply.
Program Specific Requirements
The applicant for the master’s degree is expected to have earned an appropriate undergraduate degree and successfully interview with the composition faculty during the semester prior to admission. Students should submit a portfolio of at least three compositions in a variety of media (traditional and/or electroacoustic). All composition applicants must take the Graduate Entrance Exams in written and aural music theory, and those interested in applying for a teaching assistantship in music theory must also successfully complete an audition-interview with the theory and composition faculty to assess sight-reading, sight-singing, and keyboard fluency. To ensure full consideration, both the exams and the audition-interview should be completed during the audition-weekend period of the semester prior to admission.
Applicants must meet the entrance requirements of The Graduate School as well as those of the School of Music. Entrance exams in Music History and Music Theory (written and aural) are given prior to the course-add deadline at the beginning of the semester to determine whether review classes are necessary in the first semester of study. Students must pass the entrance exams or pass any required review classes with a grade of A or B before accumulating 12 credit hours.
Application Deadlines
Domestic
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Fall
- 07/25/2025
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Spring
- 12/12/2025
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Summer
- 04/18/2026
International
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Fall
- 04/15/2025
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Spring
- 09/15/2025
Explore Funding Options
As a graduate student, there are additional opportunities for student funding. Once you are admitted into a degree-bearing graduate program at UK, you can apply for a wide variety of financial assistance, including assistantships and fellowships. These opportunities can be tied to your program’s availability, so you should inquire with your program director about opportunities available within your program!
Get Involved!
Students who get involved in activities outside of the classroom tend to do better academically and develop meaningful relationships with others at UK. Our network of student organizations and activities has something for everyone, from academic to professional to fun!
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At the University of Kentucky, we provide personalized support, innovative resources, and countless opportunities to help you turn your aspirations into achievements.
