Application Procedures for Graduate Studies
Submissions to the Graduate Admissions Office
Submissions to the Music Department
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Test of English as a Second Language (TOEFL)
Submissions to the Graduate Admissions Office
All applicants seeking admission to the Graduate Program must submit the following by the Graduate Admission's Office deadline:
- the University of Hawaii at Manoa's Graduate Admissions application
- one official transcript from each post secondary institution attended, sent directly from the institution in a sealed institutional envelope. Transcripts are not required for course work completed at any of the UH campuses. The Graduate Admissions Office will obtain UH transcripts on behalf of applicants,
- Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS Academic Modules Test score report, if required (for international applicants, as well as some immigrant and U.S. applicants),
- Residency declaration form
- confidential financial statement (international students only),
- application fee; and
- other applicable forms required by Graduate Division
These forms can be found on the UHM Graduate Division website and should be submitted to:
University of Hawaii at ManoaGraduate Admissions Office
2540 Maile Way
Spalding 354
Honolulu, HI 96822
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Submissions to the Music Department
Graduate Applicants must also submit the following to the Music Department by the appropriate deadline:
- three confidential recommendation letters (not more than two years old) sent directly by the referee under separate cover and
- one official transcript from each post secondary institution attended, sent directly from the institution in a sealed institutional envelope. Transcripts are not required for course work completed at any of the UH campuses. The Graduate Admissions Office will obtain UH transcripts on behalf of applicants; and
- statement of objectives
These materials should be submitted to:
Music Graduate AdmissionsMusic Department
University of Hawai`i at Manoa
2411 Dole St.
Honolulu, HI 96822
Graduate Division requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 for unconditional admission, and 2.7 for conditional admission. Most applicants amply exceed these minima.
International students should start to collect application materials and information ten to twelve months before they expect to begin their studies at the University of Hawai'i because of the extra time necessary to process applications, receive transcripts and schedule standardized tests.
For more information about music graduate programs, please contact Dr. Lesley Wright, Music Graduate Chair.
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Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Master's program applicants may submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (but are not required to do so); PhD applicants must submit GRE scores and should have them sent directly to the Music Department. Only GRE scores from exams taken within the past five years are acceptable.
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Test of English as a Second Language (TOEFL)
Applicants who are not native speakers of English must take the Test of English as a Second Language (TOEFL) and have the TOEFL score sent directly to the University of Hawai'i. Paper-based (P), computer-based (C), and internet-based (I) minimum requirements for UH are:
- 560(P), 220(C), or 83(I) for all PhD students, and
- 600(P), 250(C), or 100(I) with subtest scores of 25 for listening and 25 for speaking for all teaching assistants.
Other TOEFL score minimum requirements for the Music Department are:
- 500(P), 173 (C), or 61(I) for MM performance majors
- 540(P), 207 (C) or 76(I) for all other master's students.
TOEFL scores cannot be more than two years old. Scores are not required for admission if you have earned a bachelor's or advanced degree within the last five years at a regionally accredited or recognized institution in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore or United Kingdom.
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Admission Requirements for Master's Students
Applicants for admission to the master's degree program must have an undergraduate degree with a major in music or a bachelor's degree and evidence of an equivalent musical background; three confidential (not more than two years old) letters of recommendation on forms provided by the music department; and, for non-native speakers of English, a TOEFL score of 500 minimum for performance or 540 for other concentrations and 600 for teaching assistants. A GRE General Test score is recommended but not required. In the following concentrations, students must meet additional admission requirements:
Composition
Three original scores which are representative of various forms and media, and a recording of at least one of the three submitted works. Applicants must also have a bachelors degree in music composition (or equivalency in course work), or submissions of music scores that demonstrate sufficient preparation for studies in composition at the master's level.
Ethnomusicology
A personal statement of 800 words minimum (3 pages) including the purpose of study. Background in cultural anthropology is desirable and, depending on the thesis research, may be required.
Music Education
- B.Ed. degree (music education) or equivalent
- Minimum one year of paid, full-time music teaching experience at the elementary, intermediate, or secondary level in a public or private school.
- Of the three letters of recommendation for admission, two must be from a past or present principal or other supervisor.
- One of the following: (a) a video tape of a teaching demonstration (or classroom presentation) or, (b) in-person teaching demonstration.
Musicology
Sample of academic writing proficiency (a minimum 10-page term paper from an upper division music history course is preferred).
Performance
An audition of works representative of various musical styles.
- Applicants residing in Hawai`i must audition in person.
- Applicants not residing in Hawai`i must submit an unedited recording comparable in scope and length to an in-person audition and, if admitted, will audition before the department admissions faculty before the student registers for the first semester of residency to ascertain appropriate placement in the curriculum sequence.
- A recent University of Hawai`i at Manoa graduate may be admitted without a hearing if the BM senior recital is considered to be of high enough quality by the majority of the department admissions faculty.
Theory
Sample of academic writing proficiency (undergraduate term paper, etc.)
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Admission Requirements for PhD Students
Applicants for admission to the PhD program must present a master's degree in music (in the area of emphasis) or equivalent, an excellent academic record (two copies of all college transcripts), three confidential letters of recommendation (not more than two years old) on forms provided by the music department, a sample of academic writing proficiency such as recent term papers, a GRE General Test score, and, for non-native speakers of English, a TOEFL score of 560 or better. In the following concentrations, students must meet additional admission requirements:
Composition
A master's degree in composition or equivalent, in terms of course work and original compositions. A score of a large-scale work, scores of two shorter works, and a recording of at least one of the above.
Ethnomusicology
A master's degree in ethnomusicology or the equivalent in terms of coursework and fieldwork. A major research paper in ethnomusicology as evidence of extensive background in musical traditions other than Western art music.
Music Education
- A master's degree in music education is preferred, but an equivalent background is acceptable.
- A minimum of two years full-time music teaching in a public or private school at the elementary, intermediate, or secondary level.
- Three confidential letters of recommendation must address the applicant's teaching ability; at least two of these letters must be written by a past or present principal or other supervisor.
- One of the following: (a) a videotape of a teaching demonstration (or actual teaching), or (b) an in-person teaching demonstration.
The evaluation of submitted teaching demonstrations (taped or in person) will be designated as the candidate's Ph.D. Diagnostic Examination in Music Education.
Musicology
A master's degree in musicology or a minimum of four graduate seminars in musicology. A 7,500 word research paper in English on a subject in historical musicology.