Graduate
Admissions
Broaden Your Experience
The LSU School of Music offers a wealth of graduate-level studies across all disciplines and levels of instruction. Graduate students at our institution find themselves immersed in a hands-on, 21st century artistic curriculum promoting flexibility, discipline, communication, technology, and artistic expression.
Ready to get started? Check out the graduate application steps below.
Step 1: Apply to LSU Graduate School
Students who wish to enroll in the LSU School of Music's graduate program must apply to the Pinkie Gordon Lane Graduate School, then successfully pass an audition and/ or interview to gain acceptance in to the LSU Graduate School as a student in the School of Music.
Step 2: Request a Music Audition or Interview
Applicants interested in auditioning or interviewing with the School of Music will indicate as such directly within their Graduate School application. You can reference the Audition / Portfolio requirements below to learn what will be required for your instrument or area.
VISIT THE GRADUATE APPLICATION PORTALAudition / Portfolio Requirements
Teaching Assistantships
The LSU School of Music offers graduate teaching assistant stipends with waivers of tuition fees, the non-resident fee, and the Student Excellence fee. Other fees of approximately $2000 still apply. High-quality health insurance is available for $700 per year and is obligatory for international students. Graduate assistants work 20 hours per week, usually in some combination of teaching and administrative service to the School of Music.
MM Assistantships
- $11,330 per academic year
- 9-month appointment
- 2-year guarantee if in good standing
DMA/PhD Assistantships
- $23,000 per academic year
- 9-month appointment
- 3-year guarantee if in good standing
Please note that the above information is for the 2024 – 2025 academic year.
Application Deadlines
There are two sets of deadlines to consider, one set from the LSU School of Music (specific to our programs) and one set from the LSU Graduate School (for the broader university.)
School of Music Deadlines
Priority Deadline and Pre-screening Deadline: December 1
*A pre-screening is required for Choral Conducting, Collaborative Keyboard, Orchestral Conducting, Piano Pedagogy, Piano Performance, Saxophone, Vocal Performance and Wind Conducting programs.
Graduate School Deadlines
International Students: April 15
Domestic Students: May 1
Diagnostic Exams
Diagnostic examinations in music theory and music history are required of all incoming graduate students, except those who received a Master’s degree from the LSU School of Music within the preceding four years and are entering a doctoral program.
The purpose of diagnostic examinations is to determine whether students are equipped to undertake history and theory courses at the graduate level.
Students who do not take these exams will be automatically enrolled in the remedial courses in music history and music theory.
Questions? Contact Us!
Office of Graduate Studies
102 School of Music Building
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803-2504
Email: cmdagradstudies@lsu.edu
Visit Our Campus
See Yourself Here
From the Italian Renaissance architecture to Mike the Tiger's beautiful habitat, LSU has multiple attractions that are perfect for a walking tour. The LSU School of Music has a variety of performance and learning spaces we would love to show you, such as the historic art deco Shaver Theatre.