How to Apply

Admission requirements:

For admission into the School of Music & Theater Graduate Program, the applicant must hold a Bachelor's degree representing a course of study equivalent to that pursued by PSU undergraduates in Music. If you do not hold a Bachelor’s degree in music, please consult with the Graduate Coordinator Ken Selden before applying. 

Admission to the School of Music & Theater's Graduate Program requires a minimum of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 for admission. An applicant with 9 or more graduate credits must have a cumulative graduate GPA of at least 3.0, and this GPA would supersede the undergraduate GPA. For continuation in the program, students are required to be in good academic standing, maintaining a 3.00 GPA for all graduate coursework taken at PSU and a term GPA of at least 2.67 each term.

In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission into graduate study at the University, each student must successfully take the music entrance examinations prepared and administered by the School of Music & Theater. The entrance examinations must be passed or the recommended review course must be passed with a grade of B or better before a student may enroll in a graduate history or theory course.

Application process:

Links to the online applications for domestic or international graduate students can be found here. Students applying for a Graduate Certificate or a Master of Music degree in Performance, Conducting, Collaborative Piano, or Jazz Studies must complete an audition. Students applying to the Master of Arts or Master of Science in Music program must submit one of the following as part of their application portfolio: a music history paper, a music theory paper, sample compositions, an audition (video or live) demonstrating mastery at a level appropriate for graduate study, or a teaching certificate. Audition requirements for all programs can be found here; some programs require supplemental materials such as a repertoire list. As part of the online graduate application, you will be asked to upload the following:

• resume or CV

• personal statement

• transcripts

• contact information for individuals who will write letters of recommendation (at least two)

• audition videos and/or other portfolio items as required by your program (you may also indicate your intent to schedule a live audition)

The application does not need to be completed in one sitting; you may save your work and return to it later.

If you have questions about the School of Music & Theater application process, please contact the Graduate Coordinator or relevant Area Coordinator. For general information such as language requirements, deadlines, policies, and procedures for Graduate students at Portland State University, visit the Office of Graduate Studies website.

Scholarships and graduate assistantships:

The School of Music and Theater has a number of scholarships and graduate teaching assistantships (GTAs) available. To receive full consideration for these awards, applicants must submit a complete application by the priority deadline and audition by Audition Weekend. As part of their application, candidates for GTAs should submit a letter of interest indicating the area in which they wish to be considered and outlining their qualifications. 

Some scholarships are also available through PSU’s Scholarship Universe. 

Important dates:

For a Fall 2026 start date, the priority application deadline is February 1, 2026. Audition Weekend will take place on February 7, 2026 although auditions may also be scheduled for another date by arrangement with the area coordinator. The final deadline to apply for Fall 2026 admission is June 1, 2026.