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. The vocal pedagogy placement examination is required of all students with an emphasis in voice performance or choral conducting. 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:
- 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
- 16–22 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 5223 Ensemble Repertoire
MUS 5523 Rehearsal Techniques
MUS 5554 Music Performance–Performance Emphasis (two semesters)
MUS 6941 Recital
MUS 6961 Comprehensive Examination
Vocal and Instrumental Performance
MUS 5433 Performance Repertoire
MUS 5533 Pedagogy of Musical Performance
MUS 5554 Music Performance–Performance Emphasis (two semesters)
MUS 6941 Recital
MUS 6961 Comprehensive Examination
Piano Pedagogy and Performance
MUS 5421 Practicum in Advanced Teaching
MUS 5433 Performance Repertoire
MUS 5533 Pedagogy of Musical Performance
MUS 5542 Music Performance (three semesters)
MUS 5572 Pedagogy of Classroom Instruction
MUS 6903 Project in Music Pedagogy
MUS 6941 Recital
Vocal Pedagogy and Performance
MUS 5421 Practicum in Advanced Teaching
MUS 5433 Performance Repertoire
MUS 5533 Pedagogy of Musical Performance
MUS 5542 Music Performance (two semesters)
MUS 5554 Music Performance–Performance Emphasis (only in semester of recital)
MUS 5572 Pedagogy of Classroom Instruction
MUS 6903 Project in Music Pedagogy
MUS 6941 Recital
MUS 6961 Comprehensive Examination
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)
MUS 5523 Rehearsal Techniques
MUS 5542 Music Performance
MUS 6423 Seminar in Music Education
MUS 6913 Thesis in Music Education (required for thesis option)
*Students selecting the Music Education Emphasis must select at least one of MUS 5423 Foundations of Music Education or MUS 6913 Thesis in Music Education.
- 6–9 semester credit hours of electives, approved by the student’s advisor, of which no more than 2 hours may be in a music ensemble. Nonmusic electives may be used with consent and approval of the student’s advisor.
Special Degree Requirements. 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 voice principals in the 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 Pedagogy and Performance Emphasis must successfully complete an oral comprehensive examination.
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.
