The Master’s program in Music History & Literature offers advanced study in the history & literature of music, music research, and musicological and ethnomusicological methods. Graduates of the program are prepared to teach at the collegiate level or enter a doctoral-level program in musicology and related fields.
Admission Requirements & Deadlines
Please visit the Graduate Music Admissions page for the latest information on requirements and deadlines.
Additional Application Requirements
In addition to your application, please submit the following:
- A documented research paper comprising a minimum of 5,000 words. The paper may be on any subject.
- A 300- to 500-word response to the following question: What interests you most about studying music history at the graduate level?
Curriculum
Course Requirements
Music History/Literature – Thesis Option
Area of Emphasis in Master of Arts in Music
(32 credits)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MUS 622 | Styles and Analysis | 3 |
| MUS 612 | Projects & Problems Music | 2 |
| MUS 621 | Music Research Methods | 3 |
| MUS 640A | Music Theory | 3 |
| Music History Period Courses | ||
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
MUS 510 | Intro to World Music | |
MUS 650 | Music of the Middle Ages | |
MUS 651 | Music of the Renaissance | |
MUS 652 | Music of the Baroque Era | |
MUS 653 | Music in Classical Era | |
MUS 654 | Music in the Romantic Era | |
MUS 655 | Music ca 1900 to the Present | |
| MUS 681 | Thesis | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
Graduate Music Course | ||
1-4 credits in Applied Music | ||
1-2 credits in Ensembles | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 32 | |
Music History/Literature – Non-Thesis Option
Area of Emphasis in Master of Arts in Music
(36 credits)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| MUS 622 | Styles and Analysis | 3 |
| MUS 612 | Projects & Problems Music | 2 |
| MUS 621 | Music Research Methods | 3 |
| MUS 640A | Music Theory | 3 |
| Music History Period Courses | ||
| Select 12 credits from the following: | 12 | |
MUS 510 | Intro to World Music | |
MUS 650 | Music of the Middle Ages | |
MUS 651 | Music of the Renaissance | |
MUS 652 | Music of the Baroque Era | |
MUS 653 | Music in Classical Era | |
MUS 654 | Music in the Romantic Era | |
MUS 655 | Music ca 1900 to the Present | |
| Music Electives | ||
| Select 7 credits from the following: | 7 | |
Graduate Music Courses | ||
1-4 credits in Applied Music | ||
1-2 credits in Ensembles | ||
| Non-Music Electives | ||
| Select 6 credits in consultation with advisor from the following areas: Art, Classics, English, Humanities, Languages, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Sociology, Theatre | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | |
Program Requirements
Diagnostic Exam
All entering graduate music students must take diagnostic exams in music theory and music history prior to the start of their first semester of enrollment. These exams are administered in the week prior to the beginning of classes in the Fall and Spring.
Foreign Language
Music History & Literature master’s students are required to demonstrate reading knowledge of a foreign language.
Comprehensive Exam
The graduate comprehensive examinations in music (written and oral) are required of all candidates for the Master of Arts in Music degrees. The comprehensive exam in Music History & Literature has been designed so that a student can may demonstrate musicological methodology as well as topical and canonic knowledge from their course of study.
Thesis Option
Candidates taking the thesis option for the Music History & Literature emphasis area are required to submit a thesis as their culminating project and give a public presentation on their topic.
Non-Thesis Option
Candidates taking the non-thesis option for the Music History & Literature emphasis area are required to submit a portfolio of their research projects from their course work as their culminating project.