University of Massachusetts Boston

What you'll study

The programme provides a broad foundation in musicianship alongside opportunities to specialise. Core study areas typically include aural skills, music theory, music history, and large- and small-ensemble performance. Students take applied lessons on their primary instrument or voice and participate in campus ensembles such as choir, orchestra, wind ensemble, jazz groups and chamber music.

Optional and elective work allows exploration of composition, arranging, music technology and recording, world music, popular music studies and interdisciplinary collaborations with theatre and dance. Coursework emphasises critical listening, score reading, creative practice and research, and culminates in performance recitals or capstone projects for those on performance tracks. Regular masterclasses, workshops and collaborative projects with faculty performers and visiting artists are integral to the curriculum.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold an equivalent of a high school diploma and submit an application to the university. Prospective music majors are generally required to audition or submit a recorded performance to demonstrate technical ability and musicality; they may also be asked to provide a portfolio of compositions if applying with a composition focus. Placement tests in theory and aural skills help determine appropriate entry-level courses. Standard university admissions materials such as transcripts, personal statements and any required test scores or references should be provided in line with general undergraduate admissions procedures.

Career prospects

Graduates go on to a wide range of careers in the creative and cultural sectors. Common pathways include professional performance, ensemble and session work, music education (often requiring additional teacher certification), composition and arranging, music production and audio engineering, arts administration and programming, music publishing, and freelance musicianship. Many students pursue postgraduate study in performance, composition, musicology or music technology, while others apply their transferable skills—communication, project management and creative problem solving—to careers outside the music sector. Internships and community partnerships in the Boston area also help students build networks and practical experience.

Why study at University of Massachusetts Boston

UMass Boston offers music study within a comprehensive public university located in a major cultural city. Students benefit from faculty who are active performers and scholars, a range of ensemble opportunities, and access to Boston’s professional music scene for internships, collaborations and performances. The programme’s emphasis on both academic and practical musicianship supports diverse career aims, and the university’s interdisciplinary environment facilitates cross-college projects with theatre, dance and other arts disciplines. Facilities include rehearsal spaces and performance venues that support regular concerts and student recitals.