Now Offering Conducting and Music Education Concentrations Totally Online!
Current and Prospective Students
View the School of Music course rotation for the next few semesters to help you plan your degree.
Graduate Degrees | Graduate Certificates | Graduate Handbook
Graduate Degrees (Master of Music, M.M.)
The University of Nebraska at Omaha is a comprehensive, urban-oriented institution dedicated to breadth and quality. It contributes to the community and to the state through its strong academic programs, research and creative activity of its faculty, and through a very special orientation to public service. Through these and through the accomplishments of its graduates, UNO takes advantage of its unique role in the area and serves both students and community through relevant programs of high quality.
The Master of Music degrees offered by the School of Music are fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).
The Master of Music degree at UNO is divided into four concentrations:
- Music Performance
- Conducting
- Jazz
- Music Education
Please visit the Graduate Degree Admissions page to find the admissions requirements for your area.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
• Undergraduate degree in music
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Audition (Performance, Jazz
and Conducting majors only)
• Resume
APPLICATION DEADLINES
• Fall: June 15
• Spring: November 15
• Summer: April 15
Music Performance Concentration
The Music Performance concentration is a 30-credit hour program that emphasizes performance and applied music. Courses in history, theory and pedagogy as they relate to performance are included, and opportunities for internships and performances in local professional organizations such as Opera Omaha and the Omaha Symphony are enjoyed by students at UNO.
Students may choose to study with talented artist-faculty in brass, woodwind, percussion, string, keyboard or voice. Students must audition for acceptance into the Master of Music in Music Performance degree.
Program Requirements: Master of Music, Performance (M.M. Performance)
Conducting Concentration
The conducting concentration is a 30-credit hour program that emphasizes individualized instruction in conducting and maximizes experiences in front of an ensemble.
Courses in music history, literature, and theory supplement the practical experience to help produce well-rounded graduates with considerable knowledge of techniques and literature.
Program Requirements: Master of Music, Conducting (M.M. Conducting)
Music Education Concentration
Music Education graduate courses emphasize pedagogy and practical application of music skills and research for teachers at all levels.
Special courses like Pedagogy of World Music and Pedagogy of Theory, flexibility in elective options, and the ability to complete the degree online or hybrid make this program unique.
Learn more about certificate options that may be completed concurrently with the Music Education Concentration
Program Requirements: Master of Music, Music Education (M.M. Music Education)
Jazz Concentration
The Jazz concentration is a 30-credit hour program that emphasizes individualized instruction in applied lessons and maximizes experiences in large and small jazz ensembles.
Courses in African-American Popular Music and jazz arranging supplement the practical experience to help produce well-rounded graduates with considerable knowledge of standard and modern jazz repertoire.
Program Requirements: Master of Music, Jazz (M.M. Jazz)
Nebraska Kodály Certification
Kodály levels courses at UNO are designed to provide participants with strategies for teaching music based on the philosophies and practices of musician-composer-educator Zoltan Kodály—commonly known as “Kodály” nationally and internationally.
The Kodály approach to music teaching and learning is appropriate for pre-school children through students in middle school grades and has applications for high school and adult education, particularly in choral settings. The focus of Kodály is music literacy, achieved through listening, singing, reading, writing, and creating music. Kodály pedagogy emphasizes developing music literacy through the indigenous music of the culture, beginning with folk songs.
All Kodály levels courses are offered for graduate credit or non-degree credit. Visit the Kodály Certification Program Website for more information.
Please visit the Graduate Certificate Admissions page to find specific admissions requirements.
Conducting Certification
The conducting graduate certificate is designed to provide practitioners with an opportunity to enhance their conducting skills through a program emphasizing applied experiences in front of a performing ensemble. The program may be completed as a stand-alone certificate, or concurrently with the Master of Music-Education concentration.
It is available through in-person instruction, online/remote instruction, or hybrid instruction. In order to pursue the online/remote delivery option students must have an off-campus lab ensemble approved by graduate conducting faculty as part of the audition process.
SCHOOL OF MUSIC GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS
Graduate assistants receive a stipend of approximately $14,900 per year, full graduate tuition remission for up to twelve credit hours per semester, and eligibility for subsidized health insurance. All assistantships will remain open until filled. Interested applicants should apply no later than March 1 for an assistantship beginning in the fall semester.
Candidates are requested to email the following materials to UNO School of Music Graduate Program Chair Dr. Pete Madsen at petermadsen@unomaha.edu: a letter of application, a resume or vitae, transcript(s), and a reference list including telephone numbers and e-mail addresses.
To apply for the graduate program, visit apply.unomaha.edu. Candidates must be admitted to the University of Nebraska at Omaha Graduate College before an assistantship can be confirmed.
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PERCUSSION Assist with UNO’s hockey and basketball drum line, “The Herd.” Assist the Director of Percussion Studies with Percussion Ensemble, Applied Lessons, and Percussion Methods as needed. Additional responsibilities include performing and taking a leadership role in the Band area. For more information, contact Coordinator of Percussion Studies Dr. Hannah Weaver at hannahweaver@unomaha.edu or 402.554.6639. |
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UNIVERSITY CHOIRS Assist with all aspects of the UNO Choral program, including leading sectionals with all choral ensembles. Assist the Director of Choral Activities with recruitment and outreach activities; festivals held at the University; and other tasks as assigned. For more information, contact Interim Director of Choral Activities Richard Carrillo at richardcarrillo@unomaha.edu or 402.554.3350. |
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MUSIC THEORY Assist with all aspects of the undergraduate music theory curriculum. Grade written theory assignments and hold office hours for tutoring sessions with undergraduate music students. Assist with School of Music recruiting and outreach activities and other tasks as assigned. For more information, contact Coordinator of Music Theory Dr. Darren Pettit at dpettit@unomaha.edu or 402.680.4286. |
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UNIVERSITY BANDS Assist with all aspects of the UNO Band program, including the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, University Band, and the Maverick Machine Pep Band. Conduct and work with the concert and athletic bands. Assist the Director of Bands with recruitment and outreach activities; festivals held at the University; and other tasks as assigned. For more information, contact Director of Bands Josh Kearney at jskearney@unomaha.edu or 402.554.3602. |
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DISTANCE LEARNING Assist with all aspects of the UNO School of Music’s online curriculum. Grade assignments and assist with all organizational aspects of online teaching. Assist with School of Music recruiting and outreach activities and other tasks as assigned. For more information, contact Coordinator of Distance Education Dr. Tomm Roland at troland@unomaha.edu or 402.554.3155. |
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UNIVERSITY ORCHESTRA Assist with all aspects of the UNO Orchestra program. Conduct and work with the University Orchestra and the Nebraska Medical Orchestra. Assist the Director of Orchestral Studies with recruitment and outreach activities; festivals held at the University; and other tasks as assigned. For more information, contact Director of Orchestral Studies Dr. Matthew Brooks at matthewbrooks@unomaha.edu or 402.554.3015. |
Contact Information
For any other questions about Graduate Programs in the UNO School of Music, please contact Dr. Pete Madsen by email petermadsen@unomaha.edu or phone at 402.554.2297.
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March 28, 2026
- Summer 2026 TBA