Graduate study in the UNLV School of Music is rigorous, collaborative, and grounded in professional preparation. Our programs are designed for artists and scholars who are committed to their craft and ready to take meaningful ownership of their development.
Students are encouraged to become familiar with degree requirements and university policies as outlined in the UNLV Graduate College Handbook and the School of Music Graduate Handbook. Understanding these materials early on, and referring to them regularly, supports steady, assured progress toward the degree.
Each student is assigned an advisor, typically their major teacher. Advisors serve as mentors and advocates, offering guidance within the framework of university policy. The advisor usually becomes the head of the student’s advisory committee. Graduate students, in turn, take the initiative to schedule advising meetings, monitor their academic milestones, and submit required Graduate College forms by published deadlines.
New graduate students should meet with their advisor prior to initial registration to establish a thoughtful plan of study and address any placement or diagnostic requirements. Ongoing, proactive communication with the advisor and advisory committee is an important part of professional graduate study and artistic growth.
Advisory committee chairs and Graduate College representatives must hold full graduate faculty status. Committee members must hold full or associate graduate faculty status in accordance with Graduate College policy.
Graduate Advisory Committees
Artist Diploma Advisory Committee
Artist Diploma students form a three-member Advisory Committee that oversees all recitals. Advisory Committees are formed in consultation with the student's advisor and include: the student’s advisor, another graduate faculty member from the student’s primary area of study, and one member from a graduate field of study outside the major instrument area.
Before completing more than 16 credit hours towards the degree or a degree recital, students must submit the Appointment of Advisory Committee Form to the Graduate Coordinator and the Degree Plan Part 1 Form to the Graduate College through the Grad Rebel Gateway.
Master of Music Advisory Committee
Master of Music (MM) students form a four-member Advisory Committee that oversees all recitals, examinations, and theses (if applicable). Advisory Committees are formed in consultation with a student’s advisor and include: the student’s advisor, at least one member from a graduate field of study outside the major instrument area (Music History, Music Theory, Music Education, etc.), a Graduate College Representative from outside the School of Music, and additional faculty members from inside or outside of the School of Music.
An additional fifth member is optional and may be drawn from other qualified faculty, instructors, or academic staff (if appropriate). M.M. Advisory Committees may have no more than five members. Before completing more than 16 credit hours towards the degree, students must submit the Appointment of Advisory Committee Form and the Degree Plan Part 1 Form to the Graduate College through the Grad Rebel Gateway.
Doctor of Musical Arts Advisory Committee
DMA students form a five-member Advisory Committee in consultation with their advisor.
One member must serve as a Graduate College Representative from outside the School of Music. Of the remaining four members, three shall be from the student’s field of study when possible. The remaining member shall be from a field of study outside the major instrument area (music history, music theory, music education, etc.). A minimum of one member of the Advisory Committee must have experience in writing and advising doctoral level documents and lecture-recitals. An additional sixth member is optional and may be drawn from other qualified faculty. Doctoral Advisory Committees are limited to no more than six members.
Before completing more than sixteen (16) credit hours towards the degree, students must submit the Appointment of Advisory Committee Form and the Degree Plan Part 1 Form to the Graduate College through the Grad Rebel Gateway. Students may not defend their Qualifying Examinations or Documents without having an approved Advisory Committee. Because the members of the Advisory Committee will evaluate the student’s recitals, the Advisory Committee must be formed before the first recital is performed.
Tracking Degree Progress
Graduate study in the School of Music requires thoughtful planning and consistent attention to degree requirements. Students are expected to monitor their progress and remain aware of key program milestones throughout their course of study.
Progress is tracked through several tools. Students should review their official degree audit in MyUNLV and maintain an accurate, approved Plan of Study, which serves as the primary framework for degree completion. Advisory meetings, milestone checklists, and semester evaluations provide additional structure and feedback.
Major milestones may include:
- Completion of required diagnostic or placement examinations
- Development, monitoring, and approval of the Plan of Study
- Fulfillment of recital requirements
- Successful completion of comprehensive examinations
- Completion of other culminating experiences
Because requirements exist at both the School of Music and Graduate College levels, students are responsible for submitting all required forms and securing necessary approvals by published deadlines.
The Graduate Coordinator serves as a liaison between students, faculty, the School of Music, and the Graduate College. Academic planning and artistic development are undertaken in partnership with the student’s assigned advisor.
Careful attention to policies, deadlines, and communication supports steady progress toward degree completion.