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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.

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International Applicants

Find information about additional requirements that International applicants need to prepare as part of your application. 

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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: Applicants must submit official scores for SAT Math, ACT Math or Praxis Core Math 5732.  No minimum score is specified. Detailed information about Virginia Test requirements.
  • 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 1
  • Fall: March 1

Program Contact:

Bobby Yi, 703-993-9617

School of Art

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: Applicants must submit official scores for SAT Math, ACT Math or Praxis Core Math 5732.  No minimum score is specified. Detailed information about Virginia Test requirements.
  • 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 1
  • Fall: March 1

Program Contact:

Bobby Yi, 703-993-9617

School of Art

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:

Deadlines: 

  • Spring: October 1
  • Fall: February 1

Audition Questions:

School of Music, 703-993-1380

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

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, however to receive priority consideration for scholarships and funding, applications must be submitted by February 15 (Fall) and October 1 (Spring).

Program Contacts:

Arts Management

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. 

    Portfolio Description: Include 5 to 10 pieces, which may consist of any number of the following: Game demo/prototype; Computer game trailer, or screenshots of a game you created or worked on with clear description of your role in production; Game concept, in the form of a written game design document or story board; Drawings or illustrations of game ideas or characters. 

    Besides portfolio elements recommended above, any meaningful body of work that indicates your future success in the field of computer game design and development can be included in your portfolio.

Deadlines: 

  • Fall: May 1
  • Spring: December 1

Program Contact:

Computer Game Design

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

School of Dance

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.
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
  • GRE General Test (Mason code: 5827)
    • A GRE score is required for any student wishing to be considered for the Presidential Scholarship Award. All other DMA students are not required to take a GRE test for admission to the Doctoral Music Program.
  • 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.

Audition Questions:

School of Music, 703-993-1380

Program Contact:

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 be sent to applicants via email after submission of the online application.

Deadlines: 

  • Spring: October 15
  • Fall: February 1

Program Contact:

Bobby Yi, 703-993-9617

School of Art

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:

Bobby Yi, 703-993-9617

School of Art

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:

Audition Questions:

School of Music, 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:

Audition Questions:

Music Education: Certificate for Licensure in Music Education, PK - 12

Requirements:

Deadlines: 

  • Spring: October 1
  • Fall: February 1

Program Contact:

Audition Questions:

School of Music, 703-993-1380

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.
  • Two 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 Contacts:

Audition Questions:

School of Music, 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.

Deadline:

  • Fall consideration only: March 1

Program Contact:

Kristin Johnsen-Neshati

School of Theater

Theater Education: Certificate for Licensure in Theater, PK - 12

Requirements:

Deadlines:

  • Spring: November 1
  • Fall: March 1

Program Contact:

Mimsi Janis

School of Theater

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.

Deadline: 

  • Fall consideration only: February 15

Program Contact:

Bobby Yi, 703-993-9617

School of Art

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