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Department of Music


Master of Music Degree

The Master of Music degree program in the Department of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

The Master of Music degree offers the opportunity for qualified students to pursue advanced study in music with an emphasis in Instrumental or Choral Conducting, Vocal or Instrumental Performance, Music Education, or Piano Pedagogy and Performance or Vocal Pedagogy and Performance. The Master of Music degree is designed to develop and foster high achievement in performance and teaching; to prepare the student for a career as a performer, conductor, or educator; or to serve as a basis for pursuing doctoral studies in music.

Program Admission Requirements. In addition to satisfying the University-wide admission requirements, applicants are expected to hold the Bachelor of Music degree or Bachelor of Music Education degree with a major in their intended area of graduate emphasis or the equivalent, submit three recommendations from established professionals commenting on the appropriateness of graduate study in music for the applicant, and successfully complete one of the following:

Instrumental and Choral Conducting: Audition in person or provide a recent digital video (CD or DVD format preferred, VHS videotape accepted) demonstrating the level of mastery in a rehearsal or performance situation.
Vocal and Instrumental Performance: Audition in person (or with acceptable justification approved by the auditioning committee provide a recent digital recording) demonstrating the level of mastery in the proposed performance medium.
Music Education: Submit a digital video of teaching skills (CD or DVD format preferred, VHS videotape accepted), a curriculum vitae or portfolio, document two years of successful elementary or secondary level teaching, and complete written entrance exam.
Piano Pedagogy and Performance or Vocal Pedagogy and Performance: Audition in person or provide a recent digital recording or video (CD or DVD format preferred, VHS videotape accepted) demonstrating the level of mastery in the proposed pedagogy and performance medium.

Students are required to take placement examinations in music theory and music history before taking graduate courses. A vocal pedagogy placement examination is required of all students with an emphasis in vocal performance and vocal pedagogy and performance. Voice principals must take diagnostic examinations in French, German, Italian, and English lyric diction. If the student is found deficient in any one of the languages, the appropriate course(s) will be required. The student’s advisor will counsel the student in correcting deficiencies and selecting courses for the student’s degree program.

Degree Requirements. The minimum number of semester credit hours required for this degree, exclusive of coursework or other study required to remove admission deficiencies, is 31 to 36 hours depending on the emphasis. Courses in which a grade of “C” or lower is earned are not applicable toward coursework for the Master of Music degree.

Degree candidates must complete the following requirements:

  1. 9 semester credit hours in music history, music theory, and research:

    MUS 5133   Topics in Music Theory
    MUS 5233   Introduction to Music Research
    MUS 5263   Topics in Music History

  2. 12 semester credit hours of studies in music selected according to the area of emphasis and approved by the student’s advisor:

    Instrumental and Choral Conducting
    MUS 5523    Rehearsal Techniques
    MUS 5554    Music Performance–Performance Emphasis (two semesters)
    MUS 6941    Recital

    Vocal and Instrumental Performance
    MUS 5533    Pedagogy of Musical Performance
    MUS 5554    Music Performance–Performance Emphasis (two semesters)
    MUS 6941    Recital

    Piano Pedagogy and Performance
    MUS 5533    Pedagogy of Musical Performance
    MUS 5542    Music Performance (three semesters)
    MUS 5572    Pedagogy of Classroom Instruction
    MUS 6941    Recital

    Vocal Pedagogy and Performance
    MUS 5542    Music Performance (two semesters)
    MUS 5554    Music Performance–Performance Emphasis (only in semester of recital)
    MUS 6903    Project in Music Pedagogy
    MUS 6941    Recital

    Music Education
    MUS 5403    Psychological Foundations of Music Education
    MUS 5413    Research in Music Education
    MUS 5423    Foundations of Music Education (required for nonthesis option only)
    MUS 6423    Seminar in Music Education
    MUS 6913    Thesis in Music Education (required for thesis option only)

  3. 4–10 semester credit hours of music electives, approved by the student’s advisor

    Instrumental and Choral Conducting
    MUS 5223    Ensemble Repertoire
    MUS 6961    Comprehensive Examination

    Vocal and Instrumental Performance
    MUS 5433    Performance Repertoire
    MUS 6961    Comprehensive Examination

    Piano Pedagogy and Performance
    MUS 5421    Practicum in Advanced Teaching
    MUS 5433    Performance Repertoire
    MUS 6903    Project in Music Pedagogy

    Vocal Pedagogy and Performance
    MUS 5421    Practicum in Advanced Teaching
    MUS 5433    Performance Repertoire
    MUS 5533    Pedagogy of Musical Performance
    MUS 5572    Pedagogy of Classroom Instruction
    MUS 6961    Comprehensive Examination

    Music Education
    MUS 5523    Rehearsal Techniques
    MUS 5542    Music Performance

  4. 5–10 semester credit hours of additional electives, approved by the student’s advisor, of which no more than 2 hours may be in a music ensemble. Non-music electives may be used with consent and approval of the student’s advisor.

Special Degree Requirements. Candidates for the Master of Music degree with an emphasis in Instrumental Conducting, Choral Conducting, Vocal Performance, or Instrumental Performance must complete a total of 31 semester credit hours. Candidates for the Master of Music degree with an emphasis in Music Education, Piano Pedagogy and Performance, or Vocal Pedagogy and Performance must complete a total of 36 semester credit hours.

Students selecting the Music Performance Emphasis or the Conducting Emphasis are required to participate for two semesters in an ensemble appropriate to their program of study.

Students selecting the Music Performance Emphasis, Conducting Emphasis, and the Vocal Pedagogy and Performance Emphasis must successfully complete a recital document and oral comprehensive examination. Students selecting the Music Education Emphasis must successfully complete written and oral comprehensive examinations. Students selecting the Piano Pedagogy and Performance Emphasis must successfully complete an oral comprehensive examination.

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Graduate Certificate in Keyboard Pedagogy

The Certificate in Keyboard Pedagogy is designed for active pre-college piano teachers who are interested in continuing their education through a program that is focused on practical courses in their field. Admission requirements to the Certificate Program are the same as admission requirements to the Master of Music program (audition, three letters of reference, and a grade point average of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work).

The Certificate in Keyboard Pedagogy requires the following 15 semester credit hours:

MUS 5421 Practicum in Advanced Teaching 1 hour
MUS 5533 Pedagogy of Musical Performance (two semesters) 6 hours
MUS 5542 Music Performance 2 hours
MUS 5572 Pedagogy of Classroom Instruction 2 hours
MUS 6903 Project in Music Pedagogy 3 hours
MUS 6971 Special Problems (Opportunity for specialized study with experts in the field.) 1 hour

Individuals interested in pursuing the Certificate in Keyboard Pedagogy should contact the Department of Music Keyboard Area Coordinator.

Graduate Certificate in Keyboard Performance

The Certificate in Keyboard Performance is a graduate option that allows exclusive focus on the performance aspects of musicianship. Admission requirements to the Certificate Program are the same as admission requirements to the Master of Music program (audition, three letters of reference, and a grade point average of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work).

The Certificate in Keyboard Performance requires the following 15 semester credit hours:

MUS 5554 Music Performance–Performance Emphasis (two semesters) 8 hours
MUS 5583 Advanced Instrumental Techniques 3 hours
MUS 5711 Graduate Ensemble (two semesters) 2 hours
MUS 6941 Recital (two recitals – one solo, one chamber) 2 hours

Individuals interested in pursuing the Certificate in Keyboard Performance should contact the Department of Music Keyboard Area Coordinator.

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Graduate Certificate in Voice Pedagogy

The Certificate in Voice Pedagogy is designed for the active private voice teacher who is interested in continuing their education through a program that is focused on practical courses in their field. Admission requirements to the Certificate Program are the same as admission requirements to the Master of Music program (audition, three letters of reference, and a grade point average of 3.0 on the last 60 hours of undergraduate work).

The Certificate in Voice Pedagogy requires the following 15 semester credit hours:

MUS 5421 Practicum in Advanced Teaching (three semesters) 3 hours
MUS 5533 Pedagogy of Musical Performance 3 hours
MUS 5542 Music Performance 2 hours
MUS 5572 Pedagogy of Classroom Instruction 2 hours
MUS 6903 Project in Music Pedagogy 3 hours
MUS 6972 Special Problems 2 hours

Students are required to take a placement examination in vocal pedagogy. Students who do not pass the placement examination will be required to take MUS 5023, Graduate Music Pedagogy Review.

Individuals interested in pursuing the Certificate in Voice Pedagogy should contact the Department of Music Voice Area Coordinator.

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