About the Degree

The University of Arkansas is a public land-grant institution of teaching and learning, research and discovery, and outreach and engagement. As the state’s flagship university, it is committed to promoting and supporting the creation of timely and innovative academic programs and learning experiences for domestic and international students. Specifically, the University of Arkansas is committed to growing graduate education opportunities for students in the state and beyond. The expansion of graduate education is one of the guiding priorities of the University of Arkansas’ strategic plan, for the university recognizes that graduate education plays a critical role in a research university and is key to the university’s impact on economic development.

It is within this context that the Department of Music offers a Master of Music (M.M.) degree program in Black Sacred Music. No other such degree program exists in the United States. Our program is supported by a gift from the Alice L. Walton Foundation. This three-year M.M. program, a summer-only program, will be housed within the Department of Music at the University of Arkansas. While there are several sacred music programs throughout the United States, this program is forward-looking by virtue of its focus specifically on Black Sacred Music.  

Our program offers a pathway toward a wide range of careers in the field of Black Sacred Music preparing students for top music positions in Black Sacred Music specifically, and sacred music in general.  We also facilitate other trajectories for those students who contribute to the Black Sacred Music research. Our M.M. program gives students the interdisciplinary training and robust work experiences that they will need to thrive in industries that value traditional and non-traditional music literacy, creativity, communication, collaboration, research, technology, worship planning, and other skills. As a faculty, we are committed to thinking about music and creative practice in a global context. As the study and practice of Gospel Music has become more prevalent in Europe, Asia, and South America, we believe that a specialty in Black Sacred Music, specifically Gospel Music, will allow us to create opportunities for academic study in the field and fill a significant deficit in music programs the world over.

Faculty for the program include full-time and part-time Department of Music faculty, along with an extraordinary group of special guest instructors. These guests will be appointed as adjunct faculty in the Department of Music, and they include: recording artists, scholars, Grammy-winners, and other international experts in Gospel Music.

 

DEGREE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

The Master of Music in Black Sacred Music is a three-year, summers-only program housed within the Department of Music. The program offers a unique opportunity for advanced study in Black Sacred Music and its derivatives.  As American music largely finds its roots in Black Music, it is paramount that the preservation, proliferation, production and research of this music is included in the study of music in higher education.  This particular focus was chosen for a variety of reasons, including the dearth of programs of this kind in the United States, the quickly growing interest in music of the African Diaspora, and the commitment to expand access to music study to include students with non-traditional music backgrounds.  The curriculum is designed to equip students with the essential tools needed for professional careers which involve the presentation, teaching, and research of Black Sacred Music. Program participants will receive interdisciplinary training and significant internship opportunities consistent with the work experiences associated with Black Sacred Music spaces and related industries. The program prepares students for top careers in Black Sacred Music, and for music study at the doctoral level.  

Application for admission to the M.M. program in Black Sacred Music,  is a 2-step process. Each applicant must: 

  • The prospective student must schedule an interview with the Program Director to determine the best degree plan and cognate area.

Students with U.S. citizenship are encouraged to consider the Benjamin Franklin Lever Fellowship Program: https://graduate-and-international.uark.edu/graduate/costs-and-funding/fellowships-scholarships/benjamin-lever/

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS:

  • Can an international student participate in the Master of Music in Black Sacred Music degree program?

Yes, an international student may enroll in the Master of Music degree in Black Sacred Music.  Since this program is conducted in 3 consecutive summers, students should be engaged in activities required by their nonimmigrant status during the remainder of the year. Homeland Security prohibits persons in the U.S. in visitor (B1/B2) status or on a visa waiver (ESTA) from enrolling in a degree program or engaging in study, even if just for the summer.

  • Can the University of Arkansas issue an I-20 for the Master of Music in Black Sacred Music degree program?

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has authorized the University of Arkansas to issue I-20s for the Master of Music in Black Sacred Music degree program.   Since it is a summer only program the I-20 can only be issued for the summer period.  Also, entering the U.S. on an initial I-20 for the summer requires students to enroll in at least 6 credit hours to maintain F-1 student status.  At the end of each summer, the student is required to depart the U.S. and then return to the U.S. for the next summer session. This might require a student to apply for a new student visa for each summer enrollment period.  If a student wants to pursue an additional degree during the fall and spring semesters, then the I-20 can reflect both degree programs and travel outside the U.S. after each summer would not be required. 

  • How long does it take to apply for a visa for the Master of Music in Black Sacred Music Program?

A visa can be applied for up to 12 months in advance of the program start date.  To apply for an F-1 student visa, the student needs to be fully admitted into a program of study and obtain an I-20 from the institution.  To obtain an I-20, the admitted student needs to show proof of financial support for the academic year.  The actual visa process will vary according to the visa office and the student’s country of citizenship so the student should refer to the U.S. consulate’s website for specific information for that visa post. 

  • Is there funding available for an international student to participate in the Master of Music in Black Sacred Music degree program?

More information on scholarship opportunities for international students can found here: https://awards.uark.edu/applying/international.php

  • Can an international student participate in an internship (curricular practical training) during the program?

A student must be in the U.S. enrolled full time for at least one academic year (defined by Homeland Security as 30 weeks of instructional time) and be in F-1 status before qualifying to engage in an internship off campus.  The internship must be directly related to the student’s program of study listed on the I-20. The student must also receive academic credit for the work experience.  If a student is only in the U.S. for the summers and leaves the U.S. during the remainder of the year, the student will not gain the required residency to qualify for off-campus employment. Students previously enrolled full time at a higher education institution or those who pursue a dual degree could qualify for CPT after completing one academic year of full time enrollment.

  • Will an international student qualify for Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment authorization at the completion of the program?

An F-1 student must be in the U.S. enrolled full time for at least one academic year before qualifying for Optional Practical Training. If a student is only in the U.S. for the summers and leaves the U.S. during the remainder of the year, the student will not gain the required residency to qualify for off-campus employment. If a student is pursuing another degree during the fall and spring semesters, then the student could qualify for post-completion OPT at the end of the third summer.