General Admission Requirements
All prospective graduate students must secure approval of both the University of Northern Iowa and School of Music before admission to a degree program can be granted.
Application Fees
The application fee for domestic students is $50.00 and should be paid directly to the Registrar’s Office at the address below. The application fee for international students is $70.00 and should be paid directly to the Office of Admissions at the address below. Applications will not be processed until application fees are received.
Previous Education
The University of Northern Iowa requires official transcripts from undergraduate institutions. Please contact the Registrar’s office at your undergraduate institution and arrange for transcripts to be sent directly to the Registrar at the address below. International students should arrange to have documents sent to the Office of Admissions at the address below.
School of Music Application
A copy of the School of Music Application for Graduate Admission can be obtained online or in hard copy by contacting the Associate Director for Graduate Studies at the address below. Please send the School of Music Application for Graduate Admission to the Associate Director for Graduate Studies at the address below.
UNI Graduate College Application
In addition to the School of Music application, the university requires the submission of an Application for Graduate Study (for domestic students) or an International Application for Admission (for international students). Applications are available from the university or online at http://www.grad.uni.edu/admission/ (domestic) or http://access.uni.edu/stdt/internat_instr.htm (international). Applications should be sent directly to the addresses indicated on the application forms.
Letters of Recommendation
The School of Music requests two (2) letters of recommendation from persons who are very familiar with the applicant's academic and professional preparation, and can properly evaluate their capacity for successful graduate study. (Examples would be undergraduate professors, school administrators, and professional colleagues.) Please have letters of recommendation sent to the Associate Director for Graduate Studies at the address below.
Statement of Objectives and Goals
To promote a more substantive evaluation of your application, we ask that you please write a one-two page, double-spaced (12-point type) narrative indicating your objectives and goals for graduate study. Please include this with your application.
Auditions & Interviews
An audition, interview, or submission of a scholarly paper or composition is required for admission depending on the degree sought. Students should contact the School of Music at 319-273-2024 to be connected with the appropriate faculty member to arrange for an audition/interview. Auditions/interviews must be completed prior to application deadlines.
University Applications
In addition to the School of Music Application, the university requires the submission of an Application for Graduate Study (for domestic students) or an International Application for Admission (for international students). Applications are available from the university or online at
http://www.grad.uni.edu/admission/ (domestic)
http://access.uni.edu/stdt/internat_instr.htm (international).
Paper copies may also be requested. Applications should be sent directly to the Registrar’s Office (domestic) or Office of Admissions (international) at the address below.
TOEFL
International students (from non-English speaking countries) are required to submit proof of a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (written), 213 (computer) or 79 (Internet).. Scores should be sent directly to Office of Admissions at the address below.
Application Deadlines
All application materials/paperwork (i.e. University application, School of Music application, Graduate Assistantship application, Tuition Scholarship application, references and transcripts) must be received prior to February 1st. Auditions and interviews must be completed by February 15th for the following school year.
Graduate Assistantships / Tuition Scholarships
To apply for a Graduate Assistantship and/or Tuition Scholarship, please complete the applications found at http://www.grad.uni.edu/assistantships . To be considered for a Graduate Assistantship and/or Tuition Scholarships, ALL application materials (including a satisfactory interview and/or audition) must be submitted by the deadlines stated above.
Addresses
Associate Director of the School of Music for Graduate Studies
School of Music
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0246
Registrar’s Office
115 Gilchrist Hall
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0006
Office of Admissions
002 Gilchrist Hall
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0018
Admission is normally granted when the applicant has met the following requirements:
- A baccalaureate degree, or international equivalent, with a major in music from an accredited institution, or the demonstrated equivalent in the case of foreign students.
- A minimum entering grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (scale: 4.0 = A).
- Completion and submission of all School of Music and University of Northern Iowa application materials, including application fee.
- International students must have a TOEFL score of 550 ( written), 213 (computer) or 79 (Internet). Scores should be sent directly to the university.
- Successful audition or interview in desired area of specialization. Students should contact the School of Music at 1-319-273-2024 to be connected with the appropriate faculty member to arrange for your audition/interview.
Special Area Requirements
Master of Arts
In-person audition (audio recordings are permissible if an in-person audition would pose undue hardship).
Master of Music - Composition
Portfolio and recordings of compositions.
Master of Music - Conducting
In-person audition and interview with at least two members of the Graduate Conducting Faculty. It is also recommended that the applicant have two years of conducting experience beyond the baccalaureate degree. A video/DVD recording may be submitted in lieu of the in-person audition, but may not satisfy the audition requirement. Tapes/DVS's should be of high quality and show the applicant in rehearsal situations, though performance recordings may also be included. Video recordings should include two (2) or three (3) works of varying styles, and be taken so as to clearly indicate the conductor's facial and other physical gestures.
Master of Music - Jazz Pedagogy
In-person audition and interview.
Master of Music - Music Education
Submit online evaluation
Master of Music - Music History
Scholarly paper(s) from undergraduate studies coursework.
Master of Music - Performance
In-person audition (audio recordings are permissible if an in-person audition would pose undue hardship).
Master of Music - Piano Performance and Pedagogy
In-person audition (audio recordings are permissible if an in-person audition would pose undue hardship).
Artist Diploma
A high quality recording (DVD preferred) of unedited performance time demonstrating technical skill, musical expressive and interpretive ability. A live audition and interview may be required (other Admission requirements listed under Artist Diploma in this Handbook).
For specific repertoire and audition/interview requirements, visit:
http://www.uni.edu/music/graduate_students/admissions/index.html
