This course of study is structured to meet the needs of each individual practice as students immerse themselves intensively along the entire continuum of creative music-making. The MFA Program enables performer-composers to express their ideas in spoken, written and musical forms (including publishable musical documents and journal-style articles about their work); contextualize their own work and that of others in the light of current directions, historical antecedents and a wide range of aesthetic perspectives; and develop strategic plans and career pathways for sustaining their individual directions in creative music-making.

MFA performer-composers are required to pass a Mid-Residency Recital, a Graduation Jury and Recital and a Graduation Composition Portfolio Review in order to complete the Program.