Graduate Admissions

At NIU, you get the best of everything. You’ll learn from and perform alongside world-renowned, award-winning faculty who are dedicated to your growth as a musician, all while gaining the benefits and resources of a major university. Since we’re just 65 miles west of Chicago, you’ll be close to a vibrant music scene, surrounded with numerous opportunities to perform on campus, in the community and in the city.

Application Process

Each of the steps below must be completed by your audition date.

• 1

  Apply to NIU

  Submit required application materials

  Review application requirements and priority deadlines for applying to our Graduate School.
• 2

  Apply to our School of Music

  Complete your supplemental application

  Our music application is where you will opt in to being considered for a tuition waiver and apply for a graduate assistantship.

• 3

  Register for Your Audition

  Our formal audition days are held in February. Review audition dates, materials and other requirements prior to your audition day.

Application Requirements

Our Graduate School sets a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.75. You must have completed a Bachelor of Music degree to be considered for our advanced degrees, with limited exceptions. The School of Music does not require the GRE for admission.

Included in your application to the Graduate School should be the following:

• Bachelor’s degree and cumulative GPA of 2.75
• Statement of purpose
• Resume or CV
• Unofficial transcripts
• Two references for letters of recommendation

Depending on your selected program, a portfolio may also be required. Please review our per-area audition materials and requirements prior to submitting your Graduate School application. All applicants are welcome and encouraged to submit a supplemental portfolio if desired, even if not required. Portfolios may be uploaded in both the Graduate School application and our School of Music application.

International Applicants

If you are an international applicant, you must provide proof of English proficiency to our Graduate School.

Master of Music applicants must provide proof of English proficiency meeting the standard guidelines for our Graduate School.

Performer's Certificate applicants must provide proof of English proficiency meeting one of the following guidelines:

• IELTS score of at least 6
• TOEFL score of at least 65
• DET score of at least 85

Funding

There are two primary funding opportunities for graduate students, including tuition waivers and graduate assistantships. You are welcome and encouraged to apply for both funding opportunities. To be granted priority consideration for either of these opportunities, funding application materials must be submitted by our posted priority deadlines. You will be contacted in late March or early April about the status of your tuition waiver or graduate assistantship.

• To apply for a tuition waiver, please indicate your interest in your School of Music application.
• To apply for a graduate assistantship, please indicate your interest in your School of Music application and complete the graduate assistantship portion of the application.