Master in Conducting (Master's)

Tuition is Tuition is $875 per credit hour, with a one-time matriculation fee of $125 and a $700 recital fee per summer.. The program admits students on a rolling basis.

This programme is designed for working musicians such as choir directors, music educators, and performing singers. Students develop advanced conducting skills through extensive podium time with high-level choral ensembles. The curriculum includes coursework in choral literature, music history, and ensemble leadership. Training prepares graduates for professional roles in choral conducting and artist-teaching.

Focus areas include Choral Conducting, Music History, Ensemble Leadership, Choral Literature, Performance Practice, Artistic Direction.

The programme requires 37 credit hours, distributed across coursework, conducting practicum, and summer ensemble experiences. Online classes are taken during the academic year, with intensive on-campus sessions in summer.

Graduates enter roles as choral conductors, music educators, and artist-teachers in secondary schools, colleges, churches, and community ensembles.

Applicants must submit official transcripts, a CV, an admissions essay, a performance video, a rehearsal video, one letter of recommendation, and contact information for two references. The programme uses a rolling admissions process.

The programme totals about 37 credit hours. Hybrid format with summer on-campus sessions and online coursework during the academic year; designed for full-time working professionals; typically completed in two years. For international students, tuition is well below the median for US programmes. The institution admits about 89% of applicants.

Simpson College’s liberal arts tradition provides the foundation for a broad academic offering across on-campus, online and graduate study. Undergraduate students can choose from more than 80 majors, minors, concentrations and pre-professional programs. Academic areas include business and economics, chemistry and physics, life sciences, mathematics and computer science, media and communication, music, theatre arts, teacher education, and political science, sociology and criminal justice. Honors students add interdisciplinary courses and research fellowships, while the Center for Exploratory Studies helps undecided students find an academic direction.

Learning combines theory with practical application through research, study abroad, internships and other immersive experiences. A 13:1 student-teacher ratio supports personalized attention, while faculty and staff assist students with classroom work and career planning. The 85-acre campus sits in the heart of Indianola, a central Iowa city with housing, dining, clubs, performing and creative arts, 22 varsity sports, intramural activities, parks and trails. Des Moines is about 20 minutes away, giving students access to Iowa’s capital city while retaining a residential campus setting.

International students can engage with Simpson’s Office of International Education and Study Abroad through May Term travel courses and semester programs. Simpson offers access to more than 60 ISEP programs in dozens of countries, plus faculty-led courses in locations including Brazil, Italy, Japan, Spain and New Zealand. Study-abroad scholarships include more than 40 Walt Scholarships annually. Horizons supports program applications, passport and health information, and scholarship submissions. Provider deadlines vary, so early planning matters.