Graduate Admission Requirements
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All our Teacher Preparation programs have additional requirements. Click here to make sure you have all the information to start your path toward licensure.
International Applicants
Find information about additional requirements that International applicants need to prepare as part of your application.
Graduate Admissions Requirements
Please read the following to learn which items are required for your particular program of interest. Applications missing any of the required items will not be considered for admission. For clarification on admissions requirements, please refer to the Graduate Admissions FAQs in the subnavigation to the left.
International applicants or applicants who earned their degrees outside of the United States must provide other documents as part of their application. To learn what should be submitted in addition to the application requirements, applicants should visit the International section of the menu at the left for more information.
Questions? Contact the CVPA Graduate Admissions Office.
Program-Specific Requirements
Art Education: Certificate for Licensure in Art Education, PK - 12 (AELC)
Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts
- Résumé
- Goals: Statement that describes the applicant's intent for applying to your program of choice.
- Completed Endorsement Worksheet
- Two letters of recommendation
- Praxis Core Exam: Please review the score minimums and possible test substitutes here. Students who do not have a passing score or suitable substitute cannot be admitted into the program.
- Portfolio: Portfolios will be submitted through SlideRoom. The link for submission will sent to applicants via email after submission of the online application.
Deadlines:
- Spring: October 15
- Fall: March 1
Program Contact:
Art Education: MAT I, Master of Art in Teaching (Track I with Licensure)
Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts
- Résumé
- Goals: Statement that describes the applicant's intent for applying to your program of choice.
- Completed Endorsement Worksheet
- Two letters of recommendation
- Praxis Core Exam: Please review the score minimums and possible test substitutes here. Students who do not have a passing score or suitable substitute cannot be admitted into the program.
- Portfolio: Portfolios will be submitted through SlideRoom. The link for submission will sent to applicants via email after submission of the online application.
Deadlines:
- Spring: October 15
- Fall: March 1
Program Contact:
Art Education: MAT II, Master of Art in Teaching (Track II for Licensed Art Teachers)
Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts
- Résumé
- Goals: Statement that describes the applicant's intent for applying to your program of choice.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Portfolio: Portfolios will be submitted through SlideRoom. The link for submission will sent to applicants via email after submission of the online application.
Deadlines:
- Spring: October 15
- Fall: March 1
Program Contact:
Artist Certificate, Instrumental, Piano, or Vocal Performance
Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts
- Résumé
- Goals: Statement that describes the applicant's intent for applying to your program of choice.
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Pre-Screening Materials submitting through SlideRoom: 15-minute recording of recent performance(s); Repertoire List
- Audition: To be scheduled after review of pre-screening materials
Program Contact, General Questions:
- Melinda Wildman, 703-993-1392.
- Lisa Billingham, 703-993-1380
Deadlines:
- Spring: October 1
- Fall: February 1
Audition Questions:
Andrew Dougherty, 703-993-1390
Arts Management, MA
Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts
- Résumé
- Goals: Statement that describes the applicant's intent for applying to your program of choice.
- Two letters of recommendation
Deadlines:
- Spring: October 1
- Fall: February 15
Program Contacts:
- Phone: 703-993-8926
- amgtgmu@gmu.edu
Computer Game Design, MA
Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts
- Résumé
- Goals: Statement that describes the applicant's intent for applying to your program of choice.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Writing Sample: Must submit a paper written within the last 3 yars for an academic course, college publication or competition, or for professional or community review.
- Evidence of computer programming knowledge: a minimum 3 credits of Peral or Python, and 3 credits of Java or C# is required. Coursework must be evident on a college transcript.
- Portfolio: Complete form and upload with your online application.
Deadlines:
- Spring: November 1
- Fall: March 1
Program Contact:
Dance, concentration of MFA, Visual and Performing Arts
Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts
- Résumé
- Goals: Statement that describes the applicant's intent for applying to your program of choice.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Portfolio: All following materials will be submitted through SlideRoom. The link for submission will sent to applicants via email after submission of the online application. 15-minute video of original choreography; Artist Statement
Deadlines:
- Fall consideration only: March 1
Program Contact
dance@gmu.edu or 703-993-1114
DMA, Concentrations in Composition, Conducting, and Performance
Deadline:
- Fall Consideration Only: January 15
Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts
- Résumé
- Goals: Statement that describes the applicant's intent for applying to your program of choice.
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- GRE General Test (Mason code: 5827)
- Sample of academic writing about Music, such as a graduate-level paper from a Musicology, Music Theory, or Music Education course taken during master's-level studies.
- Pre-screening materials: All materials will be submitted via SlideRoom. Link for submission will be provided by email upon submission of the online application.
Composition:
Portfolio of recent compositions (2-3 years), preferably for varying ensembles, and recordings of these compositions.
Conducting:
30-minute audio/visual recording of recent performance(s) (2-3 years).
Performance:
30-minute audio/visual recording of recent performance(s) (2-3 years) of appropriate musical literature.
Audition:
Students will be invited for an audition after review of pre-screening materials.
Program Contacts:
- Melinda Wildman, 703-993-1392.
- Lisa Billingham, 703-993-1380
Graphic Design, MA
Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts
- Résumé
- Goals: Statement that describes the applicant's intent for applying to your program of choice.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Writing Sample: Must submit a critical and/or historical essay or academic paper on a design- (preferred) or art-related topic.
- Portfolio: Portfolios will be submitted through SlideRoom. The link for submission will sent to applicants via email after submission of the online application.
Deadlines:
- Spring: October 15
- Fall: February 1
Program Contact:
Graphic Design, concentration of MFA, Visual and Performing Arts
Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts
- Résumé
- Goals: Statement that describes the applicant's intent for applying to your program of choice.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Writing Sample: Must submit a critical and/or historical essay or academic paper on a design- (preferred) or art-related topic.
- Portfolio: Portfolios will be submitted through SlideRoom. The link for submission will sent to applicants via email after submission of the online application.
Deadlines:
- Fall consideration only: February 15
Program Contact:
Music and Well-Being, Graduate Certificate
Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts
- Résumé
- Goals: Statement that describes the applicant's intent for applying to your program of choice.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Interview with program director by invitation
Deadlines:
- Spring: October 1
- Fall: February 1
Program Contact:
Melinda Wildman, 703-993-1392
Lisa Billingham, 703-993-1380
Music, MM: Concentrations in Composition, Conducting, Jazz Studies, Music Education, Pedagogy, and Performance
Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts
- Résumé
- Goals: Statement that describes the applicant's intent for applying to your program of choice.
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- All supplemental materials will be submitted through SlideRoom. The link for submission will be sent to applicants via email after submission of the online application.
- Pre-screening Guidelines by Instrument
Composition Applicants:
- Composition portfolio with scores and recordings.
Conducting Applicants:
- 15-minute audio and visual recording of a recent (2-3 yrs.) performance presenting appropriate musical literature
- Repertoire list.
- Audition: Students will be invited for an audition after review of pre-screening materials.
Jazz Studies Applicants:
- 5 tunes in contrasting styles.
- Full Repertoire List of Memorized Tunes
- Audition: Students will be invited for an audition after review of pre-screening materials.
Music Education Applicants:
- Teaching Demonstration Video
- Philosophy of Music Education Statement: Submission of a paper, at least two pages in length (double-spaced).
Pedagogy Applicants:
- Teaching Demonstration Video
- Repertoire List
- Audition: Students will be invited for an audition after review of pre-screening materials.
Performance Applicants:
- 15-minute recording of recent performance(s)
- Repertoire List
- Audition: Students will be invited for an audition after review of pre-screening materials.
Deadlines:
- Spring: October 1
- Fall: February 1
Program Contact, General Questions:
- Melinda Wildman, 703-993-1392
- Lisa Billingham, 703-993-1380
Audition Questions:
- Andrew Dougherty, 703-993-1390
Music Education: Certificate for Licensure in Music Education, PK - 12
Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts
- Résumé
- Goals: Statement that describes the applicant's intent for applying to your program of choice.
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Completed Endorsement Worksheet
- Praxis Core Exam: Please review minimum score requirement and possible test substitutes here.
- Interview: Students may be invited for an interview after review of application materials and will undergo a skills test. Please refer to Music Education Licensure Graduate Certificate page of the GMUsicEd Handbook for information on how to prepare for this interview.
Deadlines:
- Spring: October 1
- Fall: February 1
Program Contact:
Lisa Billingham
Melinda Wildman, 703-993-1392
Music Education, Ph.D.
Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts
- Résumé
- Goals: Statement that describes the applicant's intent for applying to your program of choice.
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- GRE General Test (Mason code: 5827)
- Sample of academic writing about Music, such as a graduate-level paper from a Musicology, Music Theory, or Music Education course taken during master's-level studies.
- Interview: Qualified students may be invited for an interview after review of application materials.
Deadline:
Fall Consideration Only: January 15
Program Contact:
Lisa Billingham, 703-993-1380
Theater, concentration of MFA, Visual and Performing Arts
Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts
- Résumé
- Goals: Statement that describes the applicant's intent for applying to your program of choice.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Emphasis Requirements: All supplemental materials will be submitted through SlideRoom. The link for submission will be sent to applicants via email after submission of the online application.
- Design & Technology Applicants:
- One fully documented design in your area of emphasis. This may include: script analysis, research, renderings, paperwork, drafting, diagrams, sound clips and photographs of production.
- Playwriting & Dramaturgy Applicants:
- One to three writing samples, totaling no more than 25 pages. Playwrights should submit a one-page synopsis and dialogue sample. Dramaturgs may submit essays, reviews, or articles written for the general public, along with a cover letter addressing key areas of interest in the field.
- Directing Applicants:
- Portfolio of produced work, as well as a directorial analysis of a play or opera. Include at least six visual images with annotation that support your ideas.
- Acting or Music Theater Performance Applicants:
- A three-page written character analysis of one of the roles to be presented at auditions.
- Audition: applicants will be invited after review of materials.
- Design & Technology Applicants:
Deadline:
- Fall consideration only: February 15
Program Contact:
Theater Education: Certificate for Licensure in Theater, PK - 12
Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts
- Résumé
- Goals: Statement that describes the applicant's intent for applying to your program of choice.
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Completed Endorsement Worksheet
- Praxis Core Exam: Please review minimum score requirement and possible test substitutes here.
Deadlines:
- Spring: November 1
- Fall: March 1
Program Contact:
Visual Art, concentration of MFA, Visual and Performing Arts
Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts
- Résumé
- Goals: Statement that describes the applicant's intent for applying to your program of choice.
- Two letters of recommendation
- Portfolio: Portfolios will be submitted through SlideRoom. The link for submission will sent to applicants via email after submission of the online application.
Deadlines:
- Fall consideration only: February 1
Program Contact:
