Admission to the Music Program

Note: All students should contact the Music Department as soon as they apply for admission. We do not recommend taking any courses at MSU Denver before contacting the Music Department. Click on the appropriate category below for specific admission information:

New Students| Returning Students|
Transfer Students | Teacher Licensure/Endorsement

 

New Students

  • Contact the Music Department at 303-556-3180 to schedule an appointment with a Music Department Intake Advisor.

  • Apply for admission to MSU Denver. This can be done online at: www.msudenver.edu/admissions
  • Music Theory:
    • Determine your readiness to enroll in Music Theory I. You can assess your own readiness by answering the self-assessment questionnaire (see Theory Placement Exam).

    • If you believe you are ready for Music Theory I, contact the Music Department at 303-556-3180 to schedule a Music Theory Placement Exam. All incoming students must take this exam or take Fundamentals of Music Theory in preparation for Theory I.

    • If you do not believe you are ready for Music Theory I, you can either take Fundamentals of Music Theory, or take the Theory Placement exam to determine your readiness.

  • Private Instruction:
    • Students must be eligible for placement in Theory I in order to enroll in private instruction.

    • Schedule an audition for private lessons by calling 303-556-3180. We recommend scheduling your audition at least three weeks in advance. You can assess your own readiness by answering the self-assessment questionnaire (see Audition Information).

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Returning Students

Students who have previously enrolled at MSU Denver are considered returning students. All returning students must complete the following steps.

  • Students who completed Music Theory IV and Music Theory Lab IV (with a ‘C’ or better) more than seven years prior to re-enrollment in music courses at Metro State must take the Music Theory Placement Exam.

  • Students whose last enrollment in private instruction was more than one calendar year prior to re-enrollment in music courses at MSU Denver must re-audition for private instruction.

  • Students who completed their final semester of required private instruction more than seven years prior to re-enrollment in music courses at MSU Denver must re-audition for private instruction so that the faculty can evaluate their current competency and make certain that their ability level is still equivalent to that of current MSU Denver students. If the faculty assesses your competency to be at the highest level required for your degree, no further private instruction will be necessary. Please bring a repertoire list and transcripts (official or unofficial) to your audition.

  • Students who completed the highest required level of Class Piano instruction more than seven years prior to re-enrollment in music courses at MSU Denver must take the Class Piano Placement Exam.

  • Students who completed a required Piano Proficiency Exam more than seven years prior to re-enrollment at MSU Denver must re-take the Piano Proficiency Exam. Also note that all returning students who did not previously take a required Piano Proficiency Exam must do so if required.

  • Students who completed music history course(s) more than seven years prior to re-enrollment in music courses at MSU Denver must take the Music History Placement Exam in order to evaluate transferability of credits.

  • Other MSU Denver music courses that are equivalent to current requirements will be accepted without further examination (except Music Education; discuss with an Intake Advisor).
Please contact the Music Department at 303-556-3180 to schedule an appointment with a Music Department Intake Advisor.

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Transfer Students

Students who obtained credit by attending any college before enrolling at MSU Denver Admissions Office are considered transfer students, including students with a previous degree in music. In addition to the college admission process for all new students, transfer students must complete the following:

  • Contact all colleges and universities that you have attended to have official transcripts sent to MSU Denver. For further information, consult Transfer Services.

  • All transfer students must take the Music Theory Placement Exam, even if an entire music theory sequence was completed elsewhere.

  • All transfer students must audition for private instruction, even if the required number of semesters of private instruction was completed elsewhere. If you have received college credit for private instruction at another institution, our faculty will evaluate your abilities and place you in the level equivalent to students at MSU Denver. Bring transcripts (unofficial or official) and a repertoire list to your audition.

  • All transfer students who do not wish to begin piano instruction in Class Piano I must take the Class Piano Placement Exam for placement or pass the Piano Proficiency Exam to be exempt from Class Piano IV.

  • All transfer students who completed a second-semester junior level music history course more than seven years prior to the initial semester of enrollment at Metro must take the Music History Placement Exam in order to evaluate transferability of credits.

  • Other courses equivalent to MSU Denver music courses will be accepted without further examination (except Music Education; discuss with an Intake Advisor).

  • All students seeking a MSU Denver Music Degree, or Licensure, must enroll in a minimum of two semesters of a major ensemble at MSU Denver. For the definition of a “major ensemble,”please see "Ensemble Requirements." Please also note, Transfer Students must meet other ensemble requirements as specified for enrollment in private instruction and/or for the specific degree program (i.e., please do not assume that only two semesters of ensemble participation will be required).

  • After completing the music theory placement exam, please contact the Music Department at 303-556-3180 to schedule an appointment with a Music Department Transfer Advisor. Transcripts must be received by the MSU Denver Admissions Office prior to appointment.
Please contact the Music Department at 303-556-3180 to schedule an appointment with a Music Department Intake Advisor.

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Teacher Licensure/Endorsement in Music

Note: All students should contact the Music Department as soon as they apply for admission. We do not recommend taking any courses at MSU Denver before contacting the Music Department.

Students who already have a music degree and are interested in teacher licensure have some options for obtaining licensure. One is to get a second degree in Music Education; see information on Degree Programs for more information. It is also possible to pursue alternative licensure through the Colorado Department of Education, but students wishing to take music education classes at MSU Denver must be declared Music Education majors and be formally admitted to the Music Education program.

Students who have a teaching license in an area other than music may pursue music endorsement through the Colorado Department of Education. Note, however, that it is extremely difficult to obtain the needed credits in the various areas required without being a Music Education major at MSU Denver.

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