Music Division (Graduate)

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Faculty

Joel S. Davis, Chair, Professor
Lance Beaumont, Professor
Philip L. Copeland, Professor
Grant B. Dalton, Professor
Brad M. Diamond, Professor
Kristin Kenning, Professor; Director, Samford Opera
Mark Lackey, Professor
Sharon L. Lawhon, Professor
Brian B. Viliunas, Professor
Michael W. Averett, Associate Professor; Coordinator, Graduate Studies
Beth McGinnis, Associate Professor
Morgan C. Soja, Associate Professor
Cindy B. St. Clair, Associate Professor
Emily Snider Andrews, Assistant Professor
Ronald Rodriguez Herrera, Assistant Professor
Letitia Jap, Assistant Professor
Theodore L. Metz, Assistant Professor
Steven A. Potaczek, Assistant Professor
Jonathan P. Rodgers, Assistant Professor
Christopher J. Withrow, Assistant Professor
Patrick E. Young, Assistant Professor

Mission

The Division of Music is preparing musicians to enrich society through a diligent pursuit of excellence.

General Information

The School of Arts, through its Division of Music, provides graduate studies in church music, music education, piano performance and pedagogy, and instrumental and vocal performance. Each of these programs has a strong vocational focus, equipping students to serve in music ministries, teach music in classroom settings, and/or teach music in the private studio. Beyond the areas of specialization, the music division, through its graduate programs, aims to prepare well-rounded professionals who demonstrate a high level of musicianship, competence in solo performance and conducting, a secure knowledge of historical and analytical approaches to music literature, and the ability to do research and writing appropriate to the vocational areas.

In addition to the academic programs, a wide variety of ensembles offer opportunities to both music and non-music majors for meaningful experiences in music making. University ensembles include A Cappella Choir, University Chorale, Samford Opera, Opera Workshop, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Commercial Music Ensemble, Samford Worship Collective, and numerous chamber ensembles.

Accreditation

Samford University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and the teacher education program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Graduate Programs and Requirements

Degrees/Majors

Master of Arts (MA)*

Worship Leadership

Master of Music (MM)

Church Music (MM)  with a Concentration in Conducting, Performance, or Thesis
Instrumental Performance (MM)
Piano Performance and Pedagogy (MM)
Vocal Performance (MM)

Master of Music Education (MME)

Music: Pattern 1: Traditional Program (MME)
Music: Pattern 2: Alternative Master’s Program (MME)

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The Division of Music offers graduate programs leading to the master of arts degree (MA) with a major in worship leadership*; master of music degree (MM), with majors in church music, instrumental performance, piano performance/pedagogy, and vocal performance; and the master of music education degree (MME), with two variations on the music major (traditional and alternative master’s).
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*Pending accreditation approval by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) (starting Fall 2026)

Graduate Music Programs

The following basic policies and procedures apply to all graduate programs offered by the Division of Music. Program-specific policies are detailed in the program subsections below.

Admission Procedures

The application for admission to the graduate music program is located online.

Unconditional admission to any graduate music program requires a GPA of 3.00 or above, while conditional admission requires a minimum GPA of 2.50 on a 4-point scale. International applicants must contact the coordinator of graduate studies in music for additional procedures.

Audition/Interview

In addition to application materials, each applicant must audition for, and interview with, the appropriate music faculty. Graduate audition dates are listed in the online application. Recorded auditions are acceptable in extenuating circumstances contingent upon prior approval. Prospective students should submit applications at least two weeks prior to a particular audition weekend to better ensure audition availability.

Area Audition Requirements

Audition requirements vary by degree. Please consult the website to locate your degree-specific page which will contain detailed information about audition requirements.

Transfer Credit

If approved by the coordinator of graduate studies in music upon consultation with the faculty and the music chair, as many as 12 of the credits required for a master’s degree in the music division may be transferred from other institutions (some programs allow fewer than 12 transfer credits). Transfer courses must have been completed within the six-year period prior to receipt of the degree.

Time Limit

Candidates have six calendar years from the time of initial enrollment in the graduate program to complete the degree. Under extenuating circumstances, candidates may apply for a one-year extension.

Master of Arts (MA) with a Major in Worship Leadership

Admission Requirements

The application form and fee ($25).
An official transcript showing completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Typed statement, “My call to worship ministry.”
Video link of student leading worship.
Interview with music and worship area faculty.
Two letters of support from an adult mentor and a church leader.

Transfer Credit

If approved by the coordinator of graduate studies in the music division, in consultation with the faculty and the chair of music, as many as nine of the credits required for this master’s degree may be transferred from other institutions. Transfer courses must represent a grade of B or higher and must have been completed within the six-year period prior to receipt of degree.

Progression Policies

No course in which the grade earned is below C- may be counted toward the degree. A candidate must maintain a grade-point average of 3.00 (on a 4-point scale) to remain in good standing. Should the candidate’s grade-point average fall below this standard, the candidate may continue on probation for one semester to provide an opportunity to raise the average to 3.00. If this average is not achieved, the candidate is automatically withdrawn from the program.

Time Limit

All courses required for the master of arts in worship leadership, including transfer work, must be completed within a period of six years.

Time-to-Degree Completion Plan

When maintaining a full load of six to eight credit hours each semester, the degree will be completed in a four-semester sequence, over the course of two fiscal years. Students will spend two separate weeks, each one at the beginning of the Fall semester, in a week-long course intensive with Samford faculty. The remainder of the degree will be delivered online.

Master of Music Education (MME)

Admission Requirements

A bachelor of music (BM) degree, or an equivalent degree, from an institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music is required for admission to all MME programs. Applicants whose undergraduate preparation does not meet these specifications may be admitted provisionally, with the requirement that course work stipulated at the time of admission be completed to ensure that preparation is equivalent to that of a graduate of the bachelor of music degree program offered by Samford’s Music Division. Courses completed in satisfying this requirement must earn a grade of at least B and do not count toward the master’s degree.

Traditional Masters Requirements

A completed Application for Graduate Studies in Music
Copy of valid teaching certificate (Initial Licensure)
Official transcripts from institutions attended since high school
- A bachelor of music education (BME) or equivalent degree from an institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) is required.
Unconditional Admission: Undergraduate GPA must be at least 3.00
For Conditional Admission: Undergraduate GPA must be at least 2.75, with a cohort average of 3.00
- If the undergraduate GPA is 3.0 or higher, no testing is required
- If the undergraduate GPA is lower than 3.0 the applicant must submit:
  - Praxis Core Reading score of at least 156
  - Praxis Core Writing score of at least 162
  - Praxis Core Math score of at least 150
Three (3) letters of recommendation
Satisfactory Dispositions Assessment
Background/Fingerprint Clearance

Alternative Masters Requirements

A completed Application for Graduate Studies in Music
Official transcripts from institutions attended since high school
- A bachelor of music (BM) or equivalent degree from an institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) is required.
For Unconditional Admission: Undergraduate GPA must be at least 3.00
For Conditional Admission: Undergraduate GPA must be at least 2.75, with a cohort average of 3.00
- If the undergraduate GPA is 3.0 or higher, no testing is required
- If the undergraduate GPA is lower than 3.0 the applicant must submit:
  - Praxis Core Reading score of at least 156
  - Praxis Core Writing score of at least 162
  - Praxis Core Math score of at least 150
Three (3) letters of recommendation
Satisfactory Dispositions Assessment
Background/Fingerprint Clearance

A complete application includes:

The application form and fee ($25).
An official transcript from each institution attended since high school. Applicants for the master of music education degree must provide two official transcripts.
Applicants whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT), on which a minimum score of 90 is required.
Three (3) recommendations from teachers or supervisors who can assess the student’s competence to undertake graduate study.
In addition to application materials, each applicant must audition for, and interview with, the appropriate music faculty.
Consult the Division of Music Graduate Program Manual for additional requirements specific to each degree.

International applicants must contact the director of graduate studies in music for additional procedures.

Retention and Progression

Students must maintain a GPA of 3.25. All students must follow a prescribed course of study specified on their program checklist as approved by the Alabama State Department of Education. They must complete all work within six years. Graduate students receiving initial certification must also pass the Alabama Educator Certification Assessment Program (AECAP), which includes the appropriate PRAXIS examinations. At the end of any semester, a student whose cumulative GPA falls below the required minimum (3.25) may not continue in the program. Any grade below a C- shall not be counted for credit and the course must be retaken. An individual who completes an Alabama State-approved program must submit an application for Alabama certification within 60 calendar months (five years) of the program completion date.

Teacher Certification

To be recommended for licensure, candidates must pass all exit exams and licensure requirements as mandated by the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). If a student successfully completes all program requirements, they may graduate but cannot be recommended for certification until all exams are passed and all requirements are met. Graduation from Samford University does not guarantee certification by the ALSDE or any other state certification agency. Program graduates who delay applying for Alabama certification are subject to changes made in the state certification requirements between the time of degree completion and the time of application. If an individual is not recommended for Alabama certification within five years (60 calendar months) of program completion, the individual will be required to reapply and complete current approved program requirements. In addition, candidates completing all required coursework in any teacher preparation program but who delay clinical internship (All But Internship or, “ABI”) for more than one year and who intend to apply for teacher certification must comply with current ALSDE certification requirements.

Advising

Frequent meetings with the director of music education and certification officer are required throughout the graduate program. Samford University complies with the requirements of the Alabama State Department of Education concerning the admission, retention, and completion of all requirements for students seeking Class A certification.

Programs

Master

Courses

Music - Church Music

Music - Conducting

Music - Music Education & Pedagogy

Music - Music History & Literature

Music - Music Theory & Composition

Music - Performance-Related

Music - Worship Leadership

Music - Ensembles

Music - Performance Instruction

Credit for performance study is consistent with the National Association of Schools of Music minimum standard of three hours of practice per week for each credit. For performance study, the first number of the course indicates classification level (1000-Freshman, 2000-Sophomore, 3000-Junior, 4000-Senior, 5000-Graduate) while the second number indicates the amount of course credits: i.e., MUSA 5111 Violin (1); MUSA 5251 Piano (2); MUSA 5357 Voice (3).

Music - Class Instruction

Students acquire a working knowledge of each family of instruments.