Composition (Interdisciplinary Digital Media), MM
Take your skills to the next level through hands-on work with digital sound and experimental media. You engage extensively with faculty from both the School of Music, Dance and Theatre and the School of Arts, Media and Engineering.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Degree description
If you have interests and the creative skills to work within a cross-section of the arts and sciences, the Master of Music program in composition with a concentration in interdisciplinary digital media is designed for you. Program offerings extend beyond typical music coursework to allow more opportunities for digital sound and experimental media projects, and allow you to be actively involved in current developments in the field of media and digital culture.
There are state-of-the-art media facilities, hybrid arts-engineering faculty and courses in electronic music with relevant resources. You're encouraged to develop your own compositional voice and focus on your area of interest, regardless of style or aesthetics, while gaining extensive knowledge through coursework and private lessons with the composition faculty.
You have multiple performance opportunities each year, including collaborations with student performers; readings by the ASU Symphony Orchestra and visiting ensembles; yearlong residencies with the ASU Wind Ensembles and Philharmonia Orchestra; commissions for the PRISMS Contemporary Music Festival; and collaborations with student animators, filmmakers and dancers.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below.
32 credit hours including a thesis and a written comprehensive exam, or
32 credit hours including a thesis, a written comprehensive exam and an oral comprehensive exam, or
32 credit hours including a written comprehensive exam and the required applied project course (MTC 593), or
32 credit hours including a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam and the required applied project course (MTC 593)
Required Core (6 credit hours) Concentration (18 credit hours) Electives (2 credit hours) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Requirements Additional information on degree requirements for this degree is available on the curriculum check sheet located on the Music, Dance and Theatre graduate degree page.
MTC 523 Advanced Composition (2-3)
Arts, Media and Engineering coursework (9)
Music Theory and Music History (9)
AME or MTC 599 Thesis (6) or
MTC 593 Applied Project (6)
Completion of diagnostic exams in musicology and music theory is required of all new graduate music students prior to enrollment in the ASU School of Music, Dance, and Theatre. MTC 523 is offered for two to three credit hours each semester. Students repeat MTC 523 until they have completed six credit hours.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Evaluate specific musical products within the context of a specific historic or cultural tradition, including contemporary media.
- Create independent musical products or performances using interdisciplinary digital media.
- Apply software engineering skills to music, sound and video.
Evaluate specific musical products within the context of a specific historic or cultural tradition, including contemporary media.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. Applicants are eligible to apply if they have earned a U.S. bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from an institution in another country and officially recognized by that country. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of a student's first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information Although a bachelor's degree in music is not required to be eligible for admission, applicants who do not hold an undergraduate degree in music may wish to take foundational courses in music theory and history as recommended by their advisor. Students should see the program website for application deadlines. After the School of Music, Dance and Theatre receives the complete application (this includes recommendation letters, transcripts and English proficiency requirements) and it is reviewed by the department, the applicant may be invited for an interview.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. The School of Music, Dance and Theatre does not offer conditional admission under any circumstances. To meet English proficiency requirements, students should have a minimum TOEFL iBT® score of 4, or 80 (taken at a testing center) if taken before January 21, 2026; an IELTS overall band score of at least 6.5; or a Pearson Test of English score of at least 60.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Final* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 10/01 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students recieve financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
The School of Music, Dance and Theatre graduate programs inspire and empower students to become creative leaders who transform society through music.
Musicians with expertise in performing, composing, teaching, researching, advocating for the arts, and serving as therapists are in high demand across many sectors. They are welcomed in many industries, including performing arts organizations, educational institutions, entertainment companies, health and wellness industries, and community arts organizations. Skills such as creativity, collaboration, innovation, entrepreneurship and the focused discipline needed for success as musicians are all highly valued by a wide range of companies and professions.
Career examples include:
- arts administrator
- community arts advocate
- composer for film, video games or television
- performing musician
- public or community school teacher
- university professor
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Music, Dance and Theatre
|
MUSIC E167
mdtadmissions@asu.edu
480-965-5069
Admission deadlines
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
