Graduate Majors & Degrees

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Graduate Majors & Degrees

Learn more about our graduate degree options. The Office of Graduate Studies is the administrative home for graduate education at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. They work with graduate students and each program’s faculty and staff to provide support at all stages of graduate education.

Art, Art History & Design

The School of Art, Art History & Design is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) with highly regarded graduate fine arts programs. US News and World Report consistently ranks our ceramics program in the top 10. Being a part of a leading land-grant research university offers our students endless learning opportunities across the humanities and sciences.

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A) in Art & Design

The MFA degree is offered with an emphasis in one of the following areas: Ceramics, Graphic Design, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture or a combination of two of these areas.

Application to this program: The School of Art, Art History & Design has an entirely online application system. The application for the MFA in Studio Art has three parts. Due to a waiting period between parts one and two, the application will require several days to complete.

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Art History

The Master of Arts in Art History is a two-year program of study offering a broad range of courses in art history with many opportunities for advanced study and independent research. Our nationally recognized faculty specialize in Classical, Renaissance and Baroque Europe, American, and Modern and Contemporary Art.

Application to this program: The School of Art, Art History & Design has an entirely online application. The application for the M.A. in Art History has two parts. Due to a waiting period between parts one and two, the application will require several days to complete.

Music & Music Education

The Glenn Korff School of Music is a professional, comprehensive arts institution devoted to the advancement of music and dance. Our faculty consists of an outstanding array of internationally acclaimed artists and scholars who care deeply about their students. We are an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Master of Music (M.M.)

The objectives of the Master’s degree are to expand the student’s knowledge and understanding of the development and structure of music in the Western World and allow the student to develop a high level in performance, scholarship or music education.

The M.M. degree is offered in composition, conducting, jazz studies, music education, music history, music theory, performance (instrumental), performance (vocal), piano pedagogy and performance, and woodwind specialties. An audition is required for admission to the M.M. program. See a list of of specific departmental admissions requirements for all M.M. degrees.

Doctoral of Musical Arts (D.M.A)

The objective of the doctoral degree in solo performance, conducting, composition or jazz studies is to develop the musician-scholar—one who displays a mastery of a professional medium and is well equipped with scholarly attitudes and abilities. It is expected that a student entering the D.M.A. program has achieved an advanced level of artistic performance and technical mastery and shows capability of in-depth academic study.

The D.M.A. is offered in composition, conducting, jazz studies, performance (vocal) and performance (instrumental). An audition is required for admission to the D.M.A. program. See a list of specific departmental admissions requirements for all D.M.A. degrees.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The Glenn Korff School of Music offers the Ph.D. in Music degree with three areas of emphasis: Music Education, Piano Pedagogy and Vocal Pedagogy.

An audition is required for admission to the Ph.D. program.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree Offerings

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Music Education

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Piano Pedagogy

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Vocal Pedagogy

Theatre

The Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film offers an M.F.A. in Theatre Arts with areas of focus in Scenic Design, Lighting Design, Costume Design, and Technical Direction. This intensive three-year program focuses on guiding the student to hone their skills as visionary artists and designers.

Master of Arts (M.F.A) in Theatre Arts

Offers focused training in the following areas: Scenic Design, Lighting Design, Costume Design, and Technical Direction

Application to this program: The M.F.A. in Theatre Arts program recruits through the South Eastern Theatre Conference's LiNK event in November and December, and the University/Resident Theatre Association’s Portfolio Review and Interview event in January and February, as well as at USITT conferences annually. On-campus portfolio reviews are conducted throughout the year and can be arranged by reaching out to the Head of Design and Technology.