Master of Music Education, M.M.E.
The F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music at Old Dominion University offers graduate study for music educators through the Master of Music Education program. A minimum of 34 semester hours is required for completion of this degree. Students may elect to add other goals to the program, such as meeting secondary education supervisor qualifications. These programs may require an additional 9 to 12 hours beyond the 34-hour minimum. There are three concentration options available within the MME degree. Some students enter the program without declaring a concentration; the decision is not required until 12 credit hours are completed.
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Research Concentration -- 34 semester hours
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Applied Studies Concentration -- 34 semester hours
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Pedagogy Concentration -- 34 semester hours
Admission Requirements
- Hold a Bachelor's degree in music
- Have a grade point average of 3.00 and an average of 3.00 in the major
- Submit the following with your application to ODU:
- Résumé
- Essay describing your current involvement in music and your professional aspirations.
- Two letters of reference
- Music repertoire list (only required for applicants for the Instrumental or Vocal Applied Studies or Conducting Concentrations)
Audition Requirements
Prospective students wishing to pursue the Applied Studies option must complete a performance audition and be approved by the music faculty before studying applied music at the graduate level. No additional application is required to audition. Contact Diehn School of Music Office Manager Tristan Morris-Mann to schedule your audition on any of our published audition days. See Graduate Auditions for specific requirements.
All students seeking the MME degree must complete and pass the F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music graduate theory placement exam prior to graduation (Note: The graduate music theory placement test is waived for students that earned their undergraduate degree in Music at Old Dominion University). The exam may be taken on a scheduled audition date. View the information covered on the music theory placement exam. A music theory review course is otherwise required.
For additional information, please contact Graduate Program Director, Dr. Douglas T. Owens.
Degree candidates wishing to pursue the applied conducting option at the graduate level must contact Graduate Program Director, Dr. Douglas T. Owens, to set up an audition and interview with the graduate conducting faculty during the semester prior to beginning study.
- Audition/interview on or before March 15 to begin study in the fall term.
- Audition/interview on or before October 20 to begin study in the spring term.
The audition will take place with either the ODU Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra or Concert Choir, depending on the interest area and expertise of the individual candidate. Details related to audition music will be determined by the Graduate Program Director and conducting faculty.
Graduate Certificate in Music Performance
The Graduate Certificate in Music Performance is a 12-credit program designed to strengthen the performance skills of musicians and music educators. Full-time and part-time students may enroll in the certificate program. Degree seeking students may take courses in conjunction with their regular course load. Non-degree seeking students holding a graduate degree in music may enroll.
Degree seeking students can take courses any time during their program. It is anticipated that students who are enrolled fulltime can complete the certificate program in one year (two semesters). Students attending part-time and maintaining a course load of three to six credit hours per semester can complete the program in two years (three to four semesters).
Non-degree seeking students who are enrolled full-time can complete the certificate program in one year (two semesters). Students attending part-time, maintaining a course load of three to six credit hours per semester can complete the program in two years (three to four semesters).
Students have eight years from initial enrollment to complete the coursework for the certificate.
All students will be required to apply to the certificate program. The admission requirements will be based on enrollment status at ODU.
The Graduate Certificate in Music Performance has the following admission requirements:
Non-degree seeking applicants will:
- Possess a graduate degree in music from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or better
- Submit the following materials:
- The completed ODU Non-Degree admission application and application fee. See the Non-degree admission information for added details.
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework from regionally accredited institutions.
- Résumé
- Essay describing your current involvement in music and your professional aspirations.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Music repertoire list
- Complete the Graduate Performance Audition juried by the F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music faculty.
Degree seeking applicants will:
- Gain advisor approval before applying to the program
- Submit a completed online application and application fee
- Submit official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework
- Complete the Graduate Performance Audition juried by the F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music faculty
In addition, applicants who have earned a graduate degree outside of the United States must submit:
- Current scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), with a minimum score of 230 on the computer-based TOEFL or 80 on the TOEFL iBT.
- A sample of scholarly writing.
- Three letters of recommendation describing the candidate's musical experience and level of musicianship from previous applied lesson faculty or other music faculty.