Courses
The Boston University Online Masters of Music in Music Education (MusM) consists of eight required online courses.
Visit the Boston University Online Course Schedule to view all current and upcoming course offerings.
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CFA MU 400 Graduate Theory Review
This course is dependent on a student’s theory proficiency exam results. Review of fundamental music theory and analysis through the study of chord grammar, voiceleading principles, figured bass, four-part chorale harmonizations and form. Materials are approached through listening, writing and analytical work. Pre-requisite for MU600, unless placed out via theory proficiency exam. 2 cr. [ 2 cr.]
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CFA MU 600 Analytical Techniques
Systematic and empirical investigations into formal and compositional procedures of selected masterworks from the tonal repetoire. Lectures leading to individual analytical projects. Online Course. [ 4 cr.]
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CFA MU 747 Research and Bibliography
Methods and materials of research in music. Bibliography and bibliographical aids. Style informal writing, leading historians of the past and present, introduction to musicology. [ 4 cr.]
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CFA MU 755 American Music
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) [ 4 cr.]
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CFA MU 757 Crossroads: Musical and Cultural Perspectives on the Blues
Examination of the blues in its musical and cultural dimensions. Focuses on defining the blues as a place where cultures and styles meet. Chord structure, cultural background, characteristics, major themes, different regional styles and dialects, and its place in history will be examined along with the cultural idea of "crossroads.” 4 cr. [ 4 cr.]
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CFA MU 765 Introduction to Music Education Research
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) [ 4 cr.]
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CFA MU 766 Jazz and Popular Arranging
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) [ 4 cr.]
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CFA MU 767 African Music and Culture: Creative Exploration
Focus 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 cr. [ 4 cr.]
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CFA MU 768 Curriculum Project
Last class in the master’s program. All other courses must be completed prior to enrollment in MU 768. This course focuses on the development of a major curriculum project. Students will be given an additional seven weeks to complete the project at the end of the course. 4 cr. [ 4 cr.]
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CFA MU 777 Foundations of Music Education I: Philosophy and History
An overview of the function of schooling processes involved in education and the relationship of the principles of music education. Historical, philosophical, and psychological foundations of music education are examined. Aims, goals, principles, and objectives are derived from these foundations. Online Course. [ 4 cr.]
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CFA MU 778 Foundations of Music Education II: Sociology and Psychology
Emphasis on program building, methods, administration, supervision, and evaluation. These concepts are applied to the theoretical and practical problems of music education. Leonhard and House continue as a text supplemented by Klotman's Supervision and Administration, publications like Toward Civilization and Can We Rescue the Arts for America's Children, and Colwell's Evaluation of Music Teaching and Learning. Online Course. [ 4 cr.]
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CFA MU 779 Orchestration 1
Orchestration I Contemporary orchestral techniques, focusing on scoring for modern winds, brass, strings and mixed ensembles, including full orchestra. Concepts include chord spacing, melodic projection, layering and delineation of material, and extended instrumental techniques. Materials are approached through readings, listening, writing and analytical work. 4 cr. [ 4 cr.]
