Music, M.A.

Advisory Examinations

Entering Master of Arts students must take two School of Music advisory examinations before registering—one in music history and one in music theory. M.A. students in music therapy are not required to take the advisory examinations. These examinations are given on the Friday and Saturday preceding the opening of classes.

Preliminary Procedures for Music Therapy Graduate Students

Since music therapists work with vulnerable populations, the School of Music is required to run a criminal background check on all students when they begin their clinical experiences. Criminal convictions could negatively impact a student's ability to continue in the music therapy program and/or gain placement at an internship site. For more information, contact the director of the music therapy program.

Ensemble Participation

Graduate students in the performance and pedagogy tracks of all graduate programs are required to complete four semesters of major ensemble participation. Students normally enroll in major ensemble participation during consecutive semesters beginning early in their degree work, to ensure completion of the major ensemble requirements in a timely manner. Ensemble assignments are made at the discretion of the major teacher and ensemble director.

Major ensembles are as follows.

Keyboard majors may substitute piano accompaniment for major ensemble participation, at their major applied teacher's discretion. Jazz studies majors substitute MUS:3730 Jazz Band for major ensemble participation. Theory, composition, music education, and music therapy majors have no major ensemble requirement. 

Any student who wants to request adjustment of this requirement must submit a request in writing to a review committee consisting of the major ensemble director(s) involved, the major teacher, and the School of Music associate director for graduate studies.

The Master of Arts program in music requires a minimum of 30-37 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 3.00 to earn the degree.

The M.A. concentrations in performance, conducting, jazz studies, composition, music theory, musicology, music therapy, and music education require a recital, capstone project, or thesis. Performance majors present a public recital in place of a written thesis. Music therapy majors complete a capstone research project. Jazz studies majors present a public recital and a separate performance project. The Master of Arts in music education is offered with thesis and nonthesis options.

All M.A. programs—except music therapy and music education—require the following coursework.

Introductory Course

Music Theory

Students earn 6 s.h. from the following.

Musicology

Students earn 6 s.h. from the following; at least one 6000-level course must be taken. 

Individuals applying to graduate programs in music must audition and/or submit supporting materials in their area of concentration in order to be considered for admission. Information about Graduate College admission and curriculum requirements for each area in the School of Music is available from the school's academic office or on the School of Music website.

For detailed information about Graduate College admission and policies, see the Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College on the Graduate College website.

Qualified graduate students may be nominated for teaching and research assistantships. Inquiries should be directed to the head faculty member in the applicant's area of interest.

The Pomerantz Career Center offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs.