Transfer Students

The School of Music at Western Michigan University welcomes transfer students. Transfer students should apply for admission to the University through the Admissions Office and pursue entry to a music program in the same manner as incoming undergraduates (see Undergraduate Studies). Transfer students who have completed many of the School of Music's Core Course Requirements before enrolling at WMU must elect a major area of concentration within the music curriculum prior to enrollment. To maintain good standing as a major in Music Performance or Composition, students must earn a minimum grade point average of 3.25 in the first two courses that apply to the major area of concentration. Students who elect the Music Education or Music Therapy major must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 in all courses in the major area of concentration in order to be recommended for intern teaching (Music Education) or Music Therapy Internship. Students pursuing a degree in Music Education should expect an additional three years of study at WMU School of Music. 

Guidelines for Transferring Credits

• Course content and outcome must be deemed equivalent to a similar course required in the student's intended curriculum at WMU

• The student must earn a grade of C or better in the course.
• Only the minimum of credits needed toward completion of the music degree curriculum will be applied.
• Students pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree may transfer a maximum of  37 semester hours of music coursework from a community college.
• Transfer students accepted as music majors will be placed at the appropriate level of applied music, though that level may or may not correspond with the previous institution. The year and/or semester level will be determined beforehand so that a graduation date can be more accurately calculated.  
•  Transfer students who have not completed the "Performance Electives" requirement at the time of the transfer must complete at least two of the remaining hours in major ensembles.
• Students who wish to transfer basic theory and music history credits are tested in Aural Skills, Fundamentals, Harmony, Forms, 20th Century Techniques and all style periods of music history. All non-pianists who wish to transfer credits in secondary piano will be required to pass a piano proficiency examination. Students wishing to transfer to Music Performance–Vocal, Music Education–Choral/General, or Composition majors are required to take a piano placement examination before admission.

For further information, see our  summary of proficiency exam topics.

Grand Rapids Community College students should reference the official articulation agreement between GRCC and the School of Music at WMU. 

For more information about transferring music credits, contact Destiny Wallace, Undergraduate Advisor, at music-ugrd@wmich.edu or (269) 387-4672.