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Doctor of Musical Arts, Music Education
Boston University College of Fine Arts
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Courses

The Boston University Online Doctor in Music Arts in Music Education (MusAD) consists of twelve required online courses. Upon completion of the twelve courses, students spend approximately two years conducting research and writing a doctoral thesis. In addition, students travel to the Boston University campus for a culminating experience near the end of the program.

Visit the Boston University Online Course Schedule to view all current and upcoming course offerings, or see the Calendar & Fees specific to the MusAD program.

Analytical Techniques (CFA MU 600 OL)

Systemic and empirical investigations into formal and compositional procedures of selected masterworks from the tonal repertoire. Lectures leading to individual analytical projects. (4 credits)Back to top


Critique in Music Education (CFA MU 735 OL)

Survey of literature and action research in music education; formulation of bibliography; intensive and extensive study in one area by each student that culminates in a project employing research techniques. (4 credits)Back to top


Aesthetics & Criticism (CFA MU 736 OL)

A survey of critical though on music from the eighteenth through the twentieth century. Eighteenth-century theories of imitation and affect. Nineteenth-century controversies: absolute vs. program music; music drama vs. Number opera. Composer-critics from E.T.A. Hoffmann, Schumann, Berlioz, and Wagner to Debussy, Schonberg, Ives, and Sessions. Major trends in twentieth-century criticism in the writings of Tovey, Rosen, Kerman, Meyer, Adorno, and Dahlhaus. (4 credits)Back to top


Research and Bibliography (CFA MU 747 OL)

Methods and materials of research in music. Bibliography and bibliographical aids. Styles of informal writing. Leading historians of the past and present. Introduction to musicology. (4 credits)Back to top


American Music (CFA MU 755 OL)

Early music in the colonies. Various attempts to create an individual “American” musical style. Diversity of influences: European, African American, Indian, Spanish-Mexican, religious, jazz, folk song, minstrel, etc. Music of Billings, Lowell, Mason, Gottschalk, MacDowell, Ives, Gershwin, Copland, and others. (4 credits)Back to top


Crossroads: Musical and Cultural Perspectives on the Blues (CFA MU 757 OL)

This online course will provide a wide-angled and narrowly focused examination of the blues in both its musical and cultural dimensions. The idea of “Crossroads” is particularly apt here, as we will define the blues as a place where cultures and styles meet, as well as the birthplace of the musical style that gave rock and jazz its mythical and real past. In this course we will examine the idea of “crossroads” on many levels: white music crossing black; English and African crossing American; rich intersecting with poor; authenticity and modernization; electric mixing with acoustic; and the blues crossing cultural barriers. (4 credits)Back to top


Introduction to Music Education Research (CFA MU 765 OL)

Overview of music education research. Research design and methodology to include development of hypotheses, problems and subproblems, qualitative research, survey, observational, causal comparative, experimental, evaluation, and historical research. Ability to understand, interpret, and use research in teaching and learning. (4 credits)Back to top


Jazz and Popular Arranging (CFA MU 766 OL)

Standard notational methods; chord vocabulary; arrangements of popular melodies in a variety of styles; development of materials from lead sheets; class performance of arrangements. (4 credits)Back to top


African Music & Culture: Creative Exploration (CFA MU 767 OL)

Focuses on developing innovative teaching material and activities based on African music, and planning and implementing developmentally appropriate creative experiences based on the wealth of African cultures and traditions. (4 credits)Back to top


Foundations of Music Education I: Philosophy and History (CFA MU 777 OL)

An overview of schooling processes drawn from the principles of the historical, philosophical, and psychological foundations of music education. (4 credits)Back to top


Foundations of Music Education II: Sociology and Psychology (CFA MU 778 OL)

Emphasis on program building, methods, administration, supervision, and evaluation. Concepts are applied to the theoretical and practical problems of music education. (4 credits)Back to top


Orchestration I (CFA MU 779 OL)

Contemporary orchestral techniques. Advanced study in scoring for modern orchestras, ensembles, choruses, bands and combined media. (4 credits)Back to top


Research and Directed Study in Music Education (CFA MU 780 OL)

Last class (thesis) in doctoral program. All other courses must be completed prior to enrollment in MU 780. Selection of thesis or dissertation topic; research techniques; compilation of preliminary bibliography. (4 credits)Back to top

 

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