All incoming graduate students in the LSU School of Music must pass diagnostic examinations in music theory and analysis, aural skills, and music history. Information about the music history diagnostic can be found here.

→ Sample questions for the diagnostic exam in music theory and analysis and aural skills

Incoming graduate students may elect to enroll in MUS 3703 (Music Theory Survey), MUS 3704 (Theory Survey: Aural Skills), and MUS 3710 (Overview of Western Music History) in lieu of passing the corresponding diagnostic exam. Successful completion of each of these courses is equivalent to passing the corresponding diagnostic exam.