Bachelor’s or Master’s in Music Composition (BM or MM)

Admission Info

Location: Chicago
Start Term: Fall, Spring

All portfolio materials are due by the time of your interview and must be submitted through Acceptd. Mailed submissions will not be accepted.

The Music Composition program uses a two step admissions process:

Step 1: Applicants must apply to Roosevelt University. Once this application is complete, students will be emailed information about how to schedule an interview time for the Music Composition program.

Step 2: Applicants must create a profile on Acceptd and upload all required materials to that site by the date of their music composition interview.  Applicants who do not meet this deadline will only be considered for admission at the discretion of the Music Composition faculty. A link for Acceptd will be available to you after you apply.

Undergraduates (BM)

Undergraduates should submit scores and, when possible, recordings for at least two (2) original works, preferably composed for different performance media (for instance, a violin and piano duo, woodwind trio or string quartet). One composition may be an electronic work. Neatness and legibility of scores will be considered. Scores and recordings MUST be uploaded to Acceptd. Recordings of performances are greatly preferred, although MIDI representations are acceptable.

Undergraduates are also required to submit two letters of recommendation by persons familiar with your work, a résumé including a complete list of compositions (include title, duration and instrumentation for each work) and a statement of your professional goals. All of these items MUST be uploaded to Acceptd - hard copies will not be accepted.

Graduates (MM)

Graduates should submit scores and, when possible, recordings for at least three (3) substantial original works, preferably composed for different performance media (for instance, a chamber ensemble work, choral piece or orchestra score). Up to two compositions may be electronic works. Neatness and legibility of scores will be considered. Scores and recordings MUST be uploaded to Acceptd. Recordings of performances are greatly preferred, although MIDI representations are acceptable.

Graduates are also required to submit two letters of recommendation by persons familiar with your work, a résumé including a complete list of compositions (include title, duration, and instrumentation for each work) and a statement of your professional goals. All of these items MUST be uploaded to Acceptd - hard copies will not be accepted.

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Sample Music Composition Courses

• Composition Seminar
• Instrumentation and Orchestration
• Electroacoustic Music
• History of Music
• Applied Composition Lessons

View the full course catalog for the Bachelor's of Music Composition 

View the full course catalog for the Master's of Music Composition

Career Opportunities in Music Composition

After graduation, several composition students have gone on to master’s and doctoral degrees in notable universities around the country.