Application Process

Read through the Admissions Information page.
The application deadline for Fall 2026 admissions for the MM or DMA program will be December 10, 2025.
Complete the application found here: https://graduateadmissions.stonybrook.edu/apply/

REQUIRED MATERIALS FOR APPLICATION

1) Applications – submitted through the Graduate School application system (Slate) (link on this page, above).

2) Application Fee – paid via the application.

3) Statement of Purpose - uploaded to the application. Please indicate what you hope to accomplish from your graduate studies in Stony Brook's Music Department, what your career goals are, and what music or musicians have influenced your path as a musician. Please note: All written work submitted to support your application must be your own. In particular, the use of generative AI to generate entire sentences and paragraphs is not permitted and may be disqualifying.

4) Resume/CV - uploaded to the application.

5) Three (3) Letters of Recommendation – recommenders submit through the application system. At least one letter should be from an instructor who is familiar with your academic work.

6) Transcripts – official transcripts from institutions where a degree was received. For coursework relevant to the proposed course of study taken outside of a degree, unofficial transcripts will suffice. Details on the submission process can be found here (see Transcripts: Requirements and Submission).

7) One Academic Paper – Upload one original paper in music research, analysis or criticism that demonstrates your ability to carry out scholarly work in music. The paper, typically generated in prior course work, should be at least ten pages in length and demonstrate knowledge of proper bibliographic citation practices (your paper must contain a bibliography). Papers must have been originally written in English. Please note: All written work submitted to support your application must be your own. In particular, the use of generative AI to generate entire sentences and paragraphs is not permitted and may be disqualifying.

8) TOEFL Scores (if applicable):

Applicants whose native language is not English who have received/will receive a degree from an English-speaking institution will not have to supply a TOEFL iBT score (or approved equivalent) for the purposes of admission.

Applicants who only have received/will receive an Artist’s Diploma or Advanced Graduate Certificate in an English-speaking institution will be required to provide a TOEFL iBT score (or approved equivalent) for the purposes of admission.

Applicants whose native language is not English and have not received/will not have received a degree from an English-speaking institution will be required to provide a passing TOEFL iBT (or approved equivalent- see below for acceptable tests) score in order to be admitted. For any test, the most recent scores are counted, and the test must not be more than two years old at the time of application (this means that tests taken prior to September 2024 cannot be considered for Fall 2026 admissions).

Tests Accepted: Stony Brook University accepts either TOEFL iBT or IELTS scores. For Fall 2022, Stony Brook University is also accepting TOEFL IBT Special Home Edition and IELTS Indicator. Currently, Stony Brook University does NOT accept Duolingo, TOEFL My Best Score, or TOEFL ITP scores.

Reporting of Scores:

For TOEFL iBT or TOEFL IBT Special Home Edition, have ETS send scores to Stony Brook University using code 2548. Only electronic transmission of scores from ETS to Stony Brook University is considered official for TOEFL scores – copies of your results are not acceptable.
For IELTS, have the organization mail an official score report to the Music department.
For IELTS Indicator, email the score results you receive to the Graduate School at gradadmissions@stonybrook.edu.

Minimum Scores

Minimum score requirements are as follows:

TOEFL iBT or TOEFL IBT Special Home Edition: 80 for MM applicants
IELTS or IELTS Indicator: An overall score of 6.5 with no subsection below 6

Spoken English

All students with a TA/GA stipend whose native language is not English and who have not received/will not have received a degree from an English-speaking institution must demonstrate a sufficient level of English-speaking proficiency and may be required to take English courses based on these measures. Proficiency is determined by the speak subsection score. For TOEFL iBT/TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and IELTS/IELTS Indicator speak subsection scores, please see the chart below:

TOEFL iBT Speak	IELTS Speak	Course Requirement	Result
25-30	7 or higher	none	Eligible to TA
22-24	6.5	OAE 594	Eligible to TA
19-21	6	OAE 592	Eligible to run recitation and lab sessions and/or grade
15-18	5-5.5	OAE 590	Not eligible to TA

More information

Please see the Graduate Bulletin for further information:

https://www.stonybrook.edu/sb/graduatebulletin/current/admissions/requirements/english.php

9) Pre-Screening Recordings – ALL Cello, Flute, Jazz, Viola, Violin, and Voice applicants MUST submit a pre-screen recording as part of your application in order to be considered for a live audition (both MM and DMA). The recordings must be uploaded to your application in order for the application to be submitted by the December 10, 2025 deadline.

10) GRE Scores - GRE scores are not required for applicants to the MM program.

1) Application – submitted through the Graduate School application system (Slate) (link on this page, above).

2) Application Fee – paid via the application.

4) Resume/CV - uploaded to the application.

5) Three (3) Letters of Recommendation – recommenders submit through the application system. At least one letter should be from an instructor who is familiar with your academic work.

7) Two (2) Academic Papers – Upload two original papers in music research, analysis or criticism that demonstrate your ability to carry out scholarly work in music. The papers, typically generated in prior course work, should each be at least ten pages in length and demonstrate knowledge of proper bibliographic citation practices (each paper must contain a bibliography). Papers must have been originally written in English. Please note: All written work submitted to support your application must be your own. In particular, the use of generative AI to generate entire sentences and paragraphs is not permitted and may be disqualifying.

8) TOEFL Scores (if applicable):

Tests Accepted: Stony Brook University accepts either TOEFL iBT or IELTS scores. For Fall 2022, Stony Brook University is also accepting TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition and IELTS Indicator. Currently, Stony Brook University does NOT accept Duolingo, TOEFL My Best Score, or TOEFL ITP scores.