M.A. of Sacred Music

Acceptance by both the Perkins School of Theology and the Division of Music is necessary for admission to the Master of Sacred Music program.

The Division of Music requires a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on all undergraduate work and an audition or recent recording demonstrating performance proficiency in voice or organ. Entrance into the M.S.M. program requires acceptance in one of two performing areas: choral conducting or organ.

Audition requirements for each of these areas may be obtained through the director of the Sacred Music program. Admission to Perkins School of Theology requires a minimum GPA of 2.5 in 30 credit hours of liberal arts courses and a Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Music Education degree (or equivalent) that includes credited work in choral conducting.

Those seeking admission to the M.S.M. degree program must apply by writing Director, Master of Sacred Music Degree Program, Southern Methodist University, 100 Kirby Hall, Dallas TX 75275-0133.

All M.S.M. students are required to take entrance exams in music history, music theory, choral conducting and piano proficiency and score reading before beginning their first term of study. Students who do not pass a particular exam are required to take the following course(s):

MUTH 6023 , 6124, 6125 Graduate Theory Review
MUHI 5100 Music History Review
MUCO 3208 , 5210 Choral Conducting
PERB 5107 , 5108 Keyboard Skills for Choral Conductors (recommended but not required)

	Credit Hours
Theological Studies	121
OT 6301 Interpretation of the Old Testament I	3
NT 6301 Interpretation of the New Testament I	3
WO 6313 World and Worship2	3
ST 6300 Introduction to Theology or HX 6305 Christian Heritage I	3
Spiritual formation group (participation required two terms of first year)	0
Church Music Study	10
CM 8330 Church Music Colloquium I	3
CM 8331 Church Music Colloquium II	3
CM 8332 Church Music Colloquium III	3
CM 8120 Supervised Practicum3	1
Professional Skills and Methods4	6
MUHI 6335 Introduction to Graduate Studies	3
MUAS 6010 Recital Attendance (four terms)	0
MUTH 6300, 6326, 6330, 6360 (music theory) (select one)	3
Meadows choral ensemble (participation required two consecutive terms     within the same academic year, as determined by placement audition)	0
Electives Six term hours, chosen with adviser's approval5	6
Performance Concentration and Proficiency
Organ Concentration	14
ORG 6200 Organ (private study)	8
PERB 6212 Improvisation and Service Playing	2
MUHI 6320 Organ History and Literature	3
CM 8108 Cantoring in Worship	1
Choral/Vocal Concentration6	14
MUCO 6307 Choral Conducting I7	3
MUCO 6211 Instrumental Techniques for Choral Conductors	2
MUCO 6252 Vocal and Choral Techniques	2
MUHI 6384 Survey of Choral Literature (or appropriate MUHI         determined in consultation with the student's adviser)	3
CM 8108 Cantoring in Worship8	1
PERB 6112 Introduction to the Organ (with instructor's approval)	1
Elective in choral conducting (MUCO 9209 Choral Conducting II or         MUCO 6210 Seminar: Major Choral Works)	2
Total Hours	48

1 For United Methodist students pursuing deacon’s orders, these 12 hours may count toward the 24-hour requirement. It may be possible to use elective hours (footnote 5 below) to satisfy more of the 24-hour requirement.
2 The prerequisite course, XS 6310 The Church in Its Social Context, is not required for the M.S.M. degree.
3 The supervised practicum includes musical/liturgical leadership in a local congregation and work with a church music mentor.
4 Placement exams in music history and theory will be administered during the week before classes begin in Meadows School of the Arts.
5 For the organ concentration, a portion of these hours may be used for choral conducting depending on the placement evaluation. Not more than three elective hours of applied study in Meadows may be counted toward the degree requirements.
6 Candidates in the M.S.M. choral concentration must take a keyboard proficiency exam before classes begin during their first year. Those who are unable to pass the proficiency exam must take PERB 5107, 5108 Keyboard Skills for Choral Conductors. Information on the exam will be sent to all incoming students in this concentration.
7 This will be determined by placement evaluation with the director of Choral Activities.
8 Private vocal instruction for M.S.M. students will be offered only for those who have also been accepted into the Master of Music in voice major as a concurrent degree program or by audition with the voice faculty. Private vocal instruction for M.S.M. students is subject to the availability of voice faculty.

Additional Degree Requirement

A Piano Proficiency and Score Reading Competency Exam must be passed by the end of the student’s third term. These skills and competencies may be developed through individual preparation or review courses (PERB 5107, 5108 Keyboard Skills for Choral Conductors). The review courses are remedial and do not count toward the degree nor are they funded by scholarship.