Music M.A.

Music Major

Students wishing to take a course for graduate credit in the School of Music, or wishing to pursue a degree program in this department, must consult with the Graduate Coordinator prior to registration for any course. Detailed information concerning requirements and procedures will be provided, and specified evidence of previous accomplishments will be reviewed.

The Graduate Record Examination (General Test) is not required for admission to the program.

The M.A. Major in Music involves a course of study comprising a minimum of specialization in an applied area and a maximum of curricular flexibility. (Master of Music majors are listed immediately following the M.A. in Music.)

An applicant for a graduate degree program in the School of Music should possess the baccalaureate degree in music or a demonstrated equivalent. The student should have attained a high degree of proficiency in one or more of the following areas: performance, theory-composition, music education, or music history. Applicants must audition or interview in their specialization (a video recording would be accepted if the in-person audition would pose undue hardship).

Students who plan to receive the degree Master of Arts (M.A.) must meet the graduate regulations and requirements for the master’s program and the specific major requirements.

Students interested in this program must submit a completed Application for Admission to Graduate Study and should refer to their MyUNIverse Student Center To-Do list or contact the School of Music for other application requirements.  Graduate Information can be found at grad.uni.edu and application for graduate admission can be found at admissions.uni.edu/application.

Program Requirements

Only graduate courses (course numbers 5000 or above) will apply to a graduate degree, even if the undergraduate course number (4999 or less) is listed. No exceptions will be made.

This major is available on the thesis and non-thesis options, and requires a minimum of 30 semester hours. Students selecting the non-thesis option will write a research paper. A minimum of 15 hours of 6000-level course work is required for the thesis option, including 6 hours of ____ 6299 Research. A minimum of 12 hours of 6000-level course work is required for the non-thesis option, including 3 hours of  ____:6299 Research and 3 hours of 6000-level electives [course prefix for 6299 Research: MUSIC, MUS ED, MUS HIST, MUS LIT, MUS TECH, MUS THEO].

The grade B- or above is required for all courses in the Graduate Music Core. Under extenuating circumstances, exceptions to this policy must be approved by the instructor of record, the Graduate Coordinator and the Director of the School of Music. For discussion of credit for applied music under the M.A. degree, see course descriptions Music, Applied. For more information visit www.uni.edu/music.

*

 ____:6299 Research [course prefix MUSIC, MUS ED, MUS HIST, MUS LIT, MUS TECH, MUS THEO.]

Learning Outcomes

Music, M.A.

• Music History. Students shall demonstrate a functional knowledge of the history of Western music from the 16th to 21st century by defining important terminology, identifying major repertoire works by listening, and writing convincingly about broad topics related to instrumental and vocal music genres.
• Music Theory: Students shall demonstrate a functional knowledge of the theoretical basis of Western music, extending knowledge gained in undergraduate music theory studies, in preparation for entrance into any doctoral music program.
• Critical Thinking. Students will demonstrate critical thinking through evaluation, analysis, and integration of information in music history and theory (graduate music core) with their area of specialization (applied music, composition, conducting, music history, pedagogy, or music education) as appropriate to their discipline.
• Specialization. Students will demonstrate mastery of the foundational principles of music in their area of specialization.

Related Programs

• Music B.A.
• Composition B.M.