The information below is meant to serve as a condensed guide for prospective students interested in studying music at Hunter College. Following the links below should assist you with understanding our programs & requirements, and the steps you must take to be a student in the Music Department at Hunter College.

Prospective UNDERGRADUATE Students
Prospective TRANSFER Students
Prospective GRADUATE Students
Advisers

Prospective UNDERGRADUATE Students:

1. Music Programs at Hunter:
Familiarize yourself with the UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS AND REQUIREMENTS.
After reading the information on Undergraduate Degree Programs and Requirements, some of your additional questions might be answered by reading the Undergraduate FAQs.

(Please note: We no longer offer an undergraduate concentration in music education at Hunter. Prospective music educators would first complete our BA degree with a 42-credit major in music, and then go on to apply for the MA program in music education, which leads to New York State teaching certification.)

2. Submitting an Application for Admission:
Read the Admission Requirements for the Undergraduate Degree Programs in Music.
Be sure to follow the instructions for submitting an application for admission as explained in the first paragraph of Admission Requirements. Observe the application deadlines that are clearly posted on the web site of the Office of Admissions.

3. Audition and Entrance Exams:
Before you may declare the major or be given permission to register for any music major courses, you must first pass placement exams in basic music theory and history, and do a performance audition / musicianship skills evaluation, so that we can properly gauge your ability. You’ll find detailed information on this whole process, including an online form to sign up for an entrance audition in the second paragraph of Admission Requirements. Don't forget to submit the Audition and Entrance Exam Registration Form. On the day of the exam and/or audition, you will also have an opportunity to speak with an advisor in music.

4. Financial Aid:
For information on financial aid, please click here.
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Prospective TRANSFER Students:

1. Music Programs at Hunter:
Familiarize yourself with the UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS AND REQUIREMENTS.
After reading the information on Undergraduate Degree Programs and Requirements, some of your additional questions - particularly with regard to transferring credits - might be answered by reading the Undergraduate FAQs.

(Please note: We no longer offer an undergraduate concentration in music education at Hunter. Prospective music educators would first complete our BA degree with a 42-credit major in music, and then go on to apply for the MA program in music education, which leads to New York State teaching certification.)

2. Submitting an Application for Admission:
Read the Admission Requirements for the Undergraduate Degree Programs in Music.
Be sure to follow the instructions for submitting an application for admission as explained in the first paragraph of Admission Requirements. Observe the application deadlines that are clearly posted on the web site of the Office of Admissions.

3. Placement Exams:
You must also take placement exams in order to transfer credit in music history, music theory, or musicianship toward the music major. Performance credits are normally transferred without examination. All credits earned at other schools count automatically as electives, but credits may be used toward the major only if the student places out of Hunter’s requirements by examination. You’ll find detailed information on this whole process, including an online form to sign up for an entrance audition in the second paragraph of Admission Requirements. Don't forget to submit the Audition and Entrance Exam Registration Form and use the Comment Box to indicate that you are a transfer student requesting placement exams. On the day of the exam and/or audition, you will also have an opportunity to speak with an advisor in music.

4. Financial Aid:
For information on financial aid, please click here.
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Prospective GRADUATE Students:

For prospective M.A. students who come to us already with a bachelor’s degree in another field, we expect them first to complete the equivalent of 29 undergraduate credits in music -- that is, four semesters of music theory, four semesters of musicianship (sight singing, ear training, and keyboard), and three semesters of music history -- as a pre-requisite to entering our M.A. program. This sequence of courses begins in the fall only. You would apply to Hunter first as a “second-degree” undergraduate (transfer student), and remain in that status only in order to fulfill these undergraduate course requirements. When you’re in your final semester of completing the pre-requisite courses, then you can officially apply and audition for the M.A. program. Please read the information above under Prospective TRANSFER Student and follow the instructions accordingly. Additional information is available by clicking below on "Admission for students who did not major in music as an undergraduate".

To find out about application to the various graduate programs, click on the links below:

Audition Dates
Online Audition Registration Form
M.A. in Music (Composition, Ethnomusicology, Music History, Performance, "mixed")
Teacher's Education Program in Music
Admission for students who did not major in music as an undergraduate
BA/MA in Music or BA/MA Teacher's Education Program in Music

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Advisers:

Undergraduate:
Paul F. Mueller, Director of Undergraduate Studies
Room 401B, 212-772-5785
Advising Hours

Graduate:
L. Poundie Burstein, Director of Graduate Studies
Room 400D HN; 212-772-5152
Advising Hours

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