As a prospective graduate student, you must complete the following steps to apply to the DePaul School of Music.
A complete master's student application to the DePaul School of Music includes:
-An online application completed by December 1.
- Official undergraduate transcripts (Please note a transcript is only considered official if it is sent from the institution directly, and not sent through the applicant.) - due December 1
- Three letters of recommendation - due December 1
- Composition portfolio (for Jazz Studies Composition and Composition students) - due December 1
-Teaching philosophy statement - due December 1
-Register for an audition or request a recorded audition by emailing musicadmissions@depaul.edu - due January 15
-Register for an interview (Music Education and Composition only) - due January 15
- Recorded audition submission (if approved by the admissions office before January 15) - due February 1
DePaul School of Music does not require the GRE or any other standardized test for graduate admission. Email materials to
musicadmissions@depaul.edu, or mail materials to:
DePaul University School of Music
Music Admission Office
804 West Belden Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
More program-specific details are included below.
Apply by December 1:
DePaul Application
Music Requirements
- Pre-screening video (required for applicants on clarinet, classical voice, violin and all jazz instruments). Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire requirements. Pre-screen recordings can begin to be uploaded 24 hours after the application has been submitted (upon receiving application portal login credentials). Must be received by December 1.
- Audition. We encourage all applicants, if at all possible, to audition in-person. Below are the details for each format.
a. Live audition dates are scheduled during the weekends in February. Live auditions can be scheduled here. Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire.
b. Recorded auditions are available by request and must be requested by emailing musicadmissions@depaul.edu no later than January 15. Your recorded audition must be uploaded to your Application Portal no later than February 1. Recorded auditions must be accompanied by a short interview video submission. Please visit the specific instrument page for the repertoire and interview requirements. Please contact musicadmissions@depaul.edu to request a recorded audition.
Materials (due December 1)
- Official graduate and undergraduate transcripts.
- Three letters of recommendation
- Composition portfolio (for MM Jazz Studies - Composition Track)
- International students have additional requirements; please click here for details.
Official transcripts should be mailed to:
DePaul University School of Music
Music Admissions Office
804 West Belden Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
Electronic transcripts or test scores should be emailed to: musicadmissions@depaul.edu
Audition results are reviewed and all decisions about acceptance are made in late March. Students are informed of the results by April 1.
Response to an acceptance is required no later than April 15.
In addition to your application, please submit a minimum of three original scores. The scores should reflect a variety of instrumentation and/or media. Recordings or computer realizations are helpful but not necessary. After you submit your online application, you may schedule your interview and upload your portfolio to the "Portfolio Submission" section here. Your portfolio is due by December 1. Interviews will have a Zoom option and an in-person option. To do so, please email musicadmissions@depaul.edu at least one week prior to the scheduled dates in the link above.
An audition is not required.
Students will be informed of admissions decisions by April 1.
Response to an acceptance is required no later than April 15.
In addition to your application, please submit a statement of your teaching philosophy, not to exceed 500 words. After submitting your online application, you will receive a confirmation letter inviting you to schedule your interview with the Music Education faculty using your Campus Connection username and password. Interviews are preferred to be in-person, but there will be a Zoom option as well. Please email musicadmissions@depaul.edu at least one week prior to the scheduled interview dates at the link above.
Students will be informed of admissions decisions by April 1.
Response to an acceptance is required no later than April 15.