Graduate Pathway in Music

Illinois State University

The Illinois State University Graduate Pathway program in Music will prepare you to enter your next semester of a master’s degree program at Illinois State University.

Upon successful completion of the Pathway program and meeting university requirements for graduate admission, you may enter your next semester of study at Illinois State University.

Apply

Key Information

A Pathway program provides academic, language and cultural support in order to succeed at a US university.
Students will benefit from fully integrated classes with both domestic and other international students on campus while learning from highly trained university instructors and tutors.

Program Details

Graduate Pathway in Music

Age Requirement

Academic Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in music with 2.5 GPA out of 4.0. Audition required. Sequences available: Collaborative Piano, Conducting, Music Composition, Music Performance. This program leads to a Master of Music with an emphasis in one of these areas. Audition Requirements: Performance: A live or recorded performance audition on the applicant?s primary applied instrument. Suggested repertoire may be found under the music studios area for your specific instrument/voice. Link to music studios is at [http://finearts.illinoisstate.edu/musicstudios]. Collaborative Piano: A live or recorded performance audition on the applicant?s primary applied instrument. 1) A substantial solo piece that showcases the student?s technical ability and musical development, which must be performed from memory; 2) One movement from a major work for an instrument and piano, which must be performed with an instrumentalist; 3) A vocal art song from the standard repertory with a substantial piano part, which must be performed with a singer. Arias are not accepted. Conducting: The applicant must provide the following: 1) A recorded performance audition on the applicant?s primary applied instrument or voice; 2) List of works conducted in public performance, including dates and name of the performing ensemble; 3) A ?face-to-the-camera? video of the applicant conducting in both rehearsal and performance settings. Both small and large ensemble excerpts are acceptable. The video should be approximately 15 minutes in length. Please take one minute at the beginning of the video to introduce yourself and briefly describe your goals in pursuing the master?s degree in Conducting. Composition: Submit two examples of recent musical composition in PDF format and their corresponding sound files in MP3 format.

English Language Requirements

TOEFL 79, IELTS 6.5, PTEA 53, Duolingo 105, or TOEFL Essentials 8.5.

Note: The information is subject to change and application decisions may vary based on individual circumstances.

2025 Fall Start (August)

Program start date : 11 August 2025 - Program end date: 12 December 2025

Semester 1 fall: 11 August 2025 - 12 December 2025

2026 Spring Start (January)

Program start date : 5 January 2026 - Program end date: 8 May 2026

Semester 1 spring: 5 January 2026 - 8 May 2026

Credit Number

Classes Title

Credit Units

Semester 1

MUS 431

Applied Instrument

3 Credit Units

MUS 330

Pedagogy and Literature

2 Credit Units

MUS 300

Styles or Genres

3 Credit Units

MUS 439

Ensembles

1 Credit Units

IDS 401

Advanced Writing for Graduate Students

3 Credit Units

Total credit units

12 Credit Units

* These courses are generally delivered through the INTO Center and are for Pathway students only. Students must maintain 2.0 GPA per semester to remain in good academic standing.