Graduate programs

Graduate Coordinator: S. Carlson 

The School of Music & Theater offers graduate work in music leading to the degrees of Master of Music (M.M.) in Performance, Master of Music (M.M.) in Conducting, Master of Music (M.M.) in Jazz Studies, as well as a Master of Arts in Music (M.A.) and a Master of Science in Music (M.S.). The M.A./M.S. degrees are general master’s degrees in music. Graduate students in music may also pursue recommendation for standard teaching certification. This curriculum differentiates between specialists in vocal music and instrumental music, but candidates in both areas complete a core of required courses.

Admission requirements

Music M.A./M.S. Program

Theater Arts MA MS Program

Master of Music M.M. Program

Graduate Certificate in Music Performance

Conducting MM

Jazz Studies MM

Performance MM

Master of Music M.M. Program

Master of Music in Performance

Serving students who seek a professional graduate degree in performance, the M.M. in Performance provides advanced studies in performance, music history, music theory, literature, pedagogy, and research methods. Students pursue immersive performance experiences in large ensembles and chamber ensembles and solo performance in their recitals. Students successfully completing the M.M. in Performance will have gained the necessary skills to prepare them for continued study in a doctoral program or to pursue professional work as a performer generally with teaching as a secondary area.

For an M.M. in Vocal Performance consult the School of Music & Theater for Language Requirement.

All of the following:

Mus 056Graduate Music History Entrance Exam

0

Mus 057Graduate Music Theory Entrance Exam

0

Mup 590Applied Music

12

Mus 506Graduate Project or Recital

2

Mus 511Music Research Methods

3

Mus 520Analytical Techniques

3

Two of the following: (4 credits)

Mus 560Music History: The Medieval Period

2

Mus 561Music History: The Renaissance Period

2

Mus 562Music History: The Baroque Period

2

Mus 563Music History: The Classical Period

2

Mus 564Music History: The Romantic Period

2

Mus 565Music History: Early 20th Century

2

Mus 566Music History: Music Since 1950

2

Two of the following: (6 credits)

Mus 530Song Literature

3

Mus 531Chamber Music Literature

3

Mus 532Band Wind Literature

3

Mus 533Orchestral Literature

3

Mus 534Choral Literature I

3

Mus 535Choral Literature II

3

Mus 536Opera Literature

3

Mus 537Keyboard Literature I

3

Mus 538Keyboard Literature II

3

Mus 539Instrumental Literature

3

Mus 540Jazz Literature

3

One of the following (3 credits)

Mus 581Pedagogy

3

Chosen with advice of graduate faculty: (3 credits)

Mus 527Opera Workshop

1

Mus 594Chamber Music

1

Mus 595Band

1

Mus 596Orchestra

1

Mus 597Chorus

1

Mus 598Jazz Lab Band

1

 

Elective Studies Selected with an Advisor

9

Total Credit Hours: 45

Students must pass Mus 056, the Music History Entrance Exam, before taking any graduate music history course with the exception of Mus 529, Grad History Review. A grade of B or better in Mus 529 will constitute a Pass for the Music History Entrance Exam. Similarly, students must pass Mus 057, the Music Theory Entrance Exam, before taking any graduate music theory course with the exception of Mus 512, Graduate Theory Review. A grade of B or better in Mus 512 will constitute a Pass for the Music Theory Entrance Exam.

All M.M. degree candidates must take a final oral examination. All graduate students must receive a grade of B or above in music courses.

Master of Music in Performance (Collaborative Piano)

Serving students who seek a professional graduate degree in performance, the M.M. in Performance (Collaborative Piano) provides advanced studies in accompanying, keyboard techniques, diction, music history, music theory, literature, and research methods. Students pursue immersive performance experiences as collaborative pianists working with soloists, chamber ensembles, choir, opera, and large ensembles. Students successfully completing the M.M. in Performance (Collaborative Piano) will have gained the necessary skills to prepare them for continued study in a doctoral program or to pursue professional work as a collaborative pianist.

All of the following:

Mup 590Applied Music

12

Mus 056Graduate Music History Entrance Exam

0

Mus 057Graduate Music Theory Entrance Exam

0

Mus 506Graduate Project or Recital

1-4

Mus 511Music Research Methods

3

Mus 520Analytical Techniques

3

Mus 550Collaborative Piano Literature Strings

3

Mus 551Collaborative Piano Literature Winds and Brass

3

Mus 552Advanced Keyboard Techniques

3

Mus 585Diction for Singers: Italian

2

Mus 586Diction for Singers: German

2

Mus 587Diction for Singers: French

2

Two of the following: (4 credits)

Mus 562Music History: The Baroque Period

2

Mus 563Music History: The Classical Period

2

Mus 564Music History: The Romantic Period

2

Mus 565Music History: Early 20th Century

2

Mus 566Music History: Music Since 1950

2

One of the following: (3 credits)

Mus 530Song Literature

3

Mus 536Opera Literature

3

Chosen with advice of graduate faculty: (3 credits)

Mus 527Opera Workshop

1

Mus 594Chamber Music

1

Mus 595Band

1

Mus 596Orchestra

1

Mus 597Chorus

1

Students must pass Mus 056, the Music History Entrance Exam, before taking any graduate music history course with the exception of Mus 529, Grad History Review. A grade of B or better in Mus 529 will constitute a Pass for the Music History Entrance Exam. Similarly, students must pass Mus 057, the Music Theory Entrance Exam, before taking any graduate music theory course with the exception of Mus 512, Graduate Theory Review. A grade of B or better in Mus 512 will constitute a Pass for the Music Theory Entrance Exam.

All M.M. degree candidates must take a final oral examination. All graduate students must receive a grade of B or above in music courses.

Master of Music in Conducting

Serving students who seek a professional graduate degree in conducting, the M.M. in Conducting provides advanced studies in conducting, literature, arranging, music history, music theory, score reading, and research methods. Students specialize in choral or instrumental conducting and receive hands-on experience conducting choir, orchestra, or band under the mentorship of our faculty. Students successfully completing the M.M. in Conducting will have gained the necessary skills to prepare them for continued study in doctoral programs or to pursue professional work as a music director working with professional, community, church, or school ensembles.

All of the following:

Mus 056Graduate Music History Entrance Exam

0

Mus 057Graduate Music Theory Entrance Exam

0

Mus 506Graduate Project or Recital

2

Mus 511Music Research Methods

3

Mus 513Score Reading

3

Mus 520Analytical Techniques

3

One of the following: (3 credits)

Mus 522Advanced Orchestral Arranging

3

Mus 523Advanced Choral Arranging

3

One of the following: (3 credits)

Mus 532Band Wind Literature

3

Mus 533Orchestral Literature

3

Mus 534Choral Literature I

3

Mus 535Choral Literature II

3

Three of the following (9 credits)

Mus 541Advanced Conducting Methods

3

Mus 542Advanced Choral Conducting

3

Mus 543Advanced Instrumental Conducting

3

Mus 541, Mus 542, and Mus 543: May be taken multiple times.

Two of the following: (4 credits)

Mus 560Music History: The Medieval Period

2

Mus 561Music History: The Renaissance Period

2

Mus 562Music History: The Baroque Period

2

Mus 563Music History: The Classical Period

2

Mus 564Music History: The Romantic Period

2

Mus 565Music History: Early 20th Century

2

Mus 566Music History: Music Since 1950

2

Chosen with advice of graduate faculty (6 credits)

Mus 595Band

1

Mus 596Orchestra

1

Mus 597Chorus

1

 

Elective Studies Selected with an Advisor

9

Total Credit Hours: 45

Students must pass Mus 056, the Music History Entrance Exam, before taking any graduate music history course with the exception of Mus 529, Grad History Review. A grade of B or better in Mus 529 will constitute a Pass for the Music History Entrance Exam. Similarly, students must pass Mus 057, the Music Theory Entrance Exam, before taking any graduate music theory course with the exception of Mus 512, Graduate Theory Review. A grade of B or better in Mus 512 will constitute a Pass for the Music Theory Entrance Exam.

All M.M. degree candidates must take a final oral examination. All graduate students must receive a grade of B or above in music courses.

Master of Music in Jazz Studies

Serving students who seek a professional graduate degree in jazz studies, the M.M. in Jazz Studies provides advanced studies in jazz performance, improvisation, jazz history, literature, arranging, pedagogy, and research methods. Students gain valuable jazz performance experience in large ensembles and develop leadership skills working with jazz combos. Students successfully completing the M.M. in Jazz Studies will have gained the necessary skills to prepare them for continued study in a doctoral program or to pursue professional work as a jazz musician generally with teaching as a secondary area.

All of the following:

Mus 056Graduate Music History Entrance Exam

0

Mus 057Graduate Music Theory Entrance Exam

0

Mup 590Applied Music

12

Mus 506Graduate Project or Recital

2

Mus 511Music Research Methods

3

Mus 520Analytical Techniques

3

Mus 526Instrumental Jazz Arranging III

2

Mus 540Jazz Literature

3

Mus 567Jazz History

2

Mus 581Pedagogy

3

Mus 520: jazz section

One of the following (2 credits)

Mus 560Music History: The Medieval Period

2

Mus 561Music History: The Renaissance Period

2

Mus 562Music History: The Baroque Period

2

Mus 563Music History: The Classical Period

2

Mus 564Music History: The Romantic Period

2

Mus 565Music History: Early 20th Century

2

Mus 566Music History: Music Since 1950

2

Complete 3 credits from the following: (3 credits)

Mus 594Chamber Music

1

Mus 598Jazz Lab Band

1

Elective Studies Selected with Advisor

10

Total Credit Hours: 45

Students must pass Mus 056, the Music History Entrance Exam, before taking any graduate music history course with the exception of Mus 529, Grad History Review. A grade of B or better in Mus 529 will constitute a Pass for the Music History Entrance Exam. Similarly, students must pass Mus 057, the Music Theory Entrance Exam, before taking any graduate music theory course with the exception of Mus 512, Graduate Theory Review. A grade of B or better in Mus 512 will constitute a Pass for the Music Theory Entrance Exam.

All M.M. degree candidates must take a final oral examination. All graduate students must receive a grade of B or above in music courses.