Conducting Masters Admissions

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to this program must:

• Have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so by the time of program matriculation.
• Submit unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term.
• If admitted, official domestic transcripts can be emailed from the university to GraduateAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 208 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL 61790-4040.
• If admitted, official international transcripts can be emailed directly from the international institution to InternationalAdmissions@IllinoisState.edu or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, International Admissions, Campus Box 6180, Normal, IL 61790-6180.

International students can learn more about specific application requirements by visiting the Graduate School Admission Requirements.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

The GRE is not required for the Music Conducting program.

To be considered for this program, you must meet the following requirements.

GPA

You must have a minimum 2.8 GPA (on a scale in which an A is a 4.0) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.

The Grade Point Average (GPA) of all undergraduate credentials earned in the United States that are used for graduate degree admission evaluation is calculated by the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. International credentials are evaluated by using cumulative GPA (CGPA) in lieu of the GPA from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.

Undergraduate Degree

You must have a degree in music (or the equivalent for international students).

School of Music Application

You must submit a School of Music application (included within the University application).

Letters of Recommendation

This program requires three current letters of recommendation.

Performance Audition (Orchestral Conducting only)

You must have a live or recorded performance audition on your primary applied instrument. Find suggested repertoire of your specific instrument/voice.

Public Performance

Upload to the application portal (as supplementary materials) a list of works conducted in public performance, including dates and name of the performing ensemble.

Conducting Video

Submit a “face-to-the-camera” YouTube video of you conducting in both rehearsal and performance settings. The video should be approximately 15 minutes of material, and both small and large ensemble excerpts are acceptable. Please take one minute at the beginning of the video to introduce yourself and briefly describe your goals in pursuing a graduate degree in conducting. You may list this link in the audition section of the application or list it in your uploaded list of public performances.

Additional Admission Requirements (International Students Only)

The following documents need to be sent to the Office of Admissions.

• English translation(s) of official transcript(s), verified with fresh seals and signatures
• Declaration of Finances
• Official English Language Exam Score (TOEFL or IELTS). The minimum iBT TOEFL score is 79. The minimum overall IELTS score is 6.5. Official scores need to be sent to Illinois State directly from ETS (TOEFL) or the testing center which administered the test (IELTS).
• Copy of passport

Admission Dates and Deadlines

Graduate Coordinator