Degree Requirements

Master's Degree Requirements

MA Degree, Ethnomusicology/Musicology

Candidates for the MA degree in Ethnomusicology/Musicology must satisfactorily complete the following:

1. Courses

Music 5010 3.0: Problems and Methods of Musical Research plus FIVE additional half courses which differ substantially in subject area and/or methodological approach. These electives may include a course in a cognate discipline related to the student’s principal research interests, or an independent study course.

2. Major Research Paper (MRP)

A research paper (generally 50 to 80 pages) on a topic approved by the program’s graduate executive committee, written under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty in music. The paper will be graded by the faculty member directing the research and by a second reader, appointed by the Graduate Program Director.

MA Degree, Composition

Candidates for the MA Degree in Composition must satisfactorily complete the following:

1. Courses

Music 5005A 3.0: Seminar in Composition I (half course over one term—year 1) and Music 5005B 3.0: Seminar in Composition II (half course over one term—year 2), which combine private lessons and shared symposia; plus FOUR additional half courses offered by the program, including at least one of

• Music 5110 3.0: Early Twentieth-century Music: Form, Structure and Significance
• Music 6250 3.0: Musical Analysis
• Music 6210 3.0: Documentary and Interpretive Studies in Contemporary Music
• Music 6310 3.0: Musical Acoustics, Psychoacoustics and Formal Perception

2. Composition and Major Research Paper

A composition and a major research paper (MRP) on a topic approved by the program’s Graduate Executive Committee. The usual form of the composition is an extended musical score (or acoustic equivalent) in combination with an MRP.  The MRP (generally 50 to 80 pages) places the composition in the context of contemporary music with respect to its technical methods and style orientation. The principle guiding the composition major research paper must be distinct and extensive independent work which from the standpoints of its technical mastery, feasibility for performance, relation of means to aesthetic intention, and its composer’s awareness of sources and influences.

Combined MBA/MA Degree Requirements

Time to Completion and Program Details

The normal full-time course load in 15.0 credit-hours of courses per term. Students who enroll in the combined program should be able to complete it within a 3 year period. In doing so students will meet all of the core requirement in each individual program. Cognate requirement in each program can be filled through course work in a parallel program.

Students may take two semester courses in the MBA program from the optional courses related to their specific interest; these courses might include not-for-profit management courses, legal aspects in the arts, exporting the arts, entrepreneurial studies, or management for artistic resources etc.

Courses may, but need not, be taken from the Arts & Media slate. Depending on the specific program and requirement students may be encourage to take some of these courses during the summer semester.

Typical MBA/MA Timetable

Arts and Media Graduate Diploma
Students may add an Arts and Media Administration  Graduate Diploma to their combined MBA/MA degrees. For more information, please visit the Arts & Media Administration Graduate Diploma page.

Doctor of Philosophy Degree Requirements

Courses

• Music 6010 6.0
• FOUR additional half courses
• Students may apply to take courses outside the program and may fulfill up to two requirements as Directed Reading courses

Comprehensive Exams

• One oral and one written document
• Detailed description here

Language Requirement

• Documentation of minimum competency in two languages other than English. This may be accomplished through taking a course, a language assessment test, or accreditation through private study or proficiency test. Discuss your plan with the Graduate Program Director (GPD).
• Those with native fluency in non-English language(s) relevant to their research areas should speak with the GPD about appropriate forms of documenting their proficiency.

Dissertation and Supervisory Committee

• Proposal and committee approved by the Graduate Executive Committee
• The supervisory committee is comprised of the supervisor and a second and third reader. 2/3 of this group must be Music faculty members appointed to FGS. One member can be from a department outside of Music.
• Dissertations presented and defended in accordance with the dissertation regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies
• Music-specific information here

Maximum Time To Completion

• 18 terms

Typical PhD Timetable