The degree in Master of Arts in Music is for (1) students who are working toward entrance to a program for the PhD; (2) performers with academic interests and needs; (3) students preparing for various positions in the music industry, e.g., music publishing, music criticism, concert management, music broadcasting, and music recording; (4) students working in cognate areas of the humanities that require deeper insight into music; and (5) musicians who need a wider knowledge of music literature and historical principles to satisfy their personal interests and growth.

A minimum of 32 credits is required for the degree of Master of Arts.

Prerequisites

Candidates in all fields of specialization normally possess an undergraduate degree in music or its equivalent. Students accepted for the program may be required by the faculty to take prerequisite courses if their undergraduate degree was not taken with a concentration in the field of specialization chosen at the graduate level.

Fields of Specialization and Coursework

Candidates choose one of the following fields of specialization: musicology, ethnomusicology, music theory, composition, or music education.

Musicology There are no specific course requirements for the MA in Musicology, but students should customize their program in consultation with their advisor according to the following distribution: (1) 24 credits from among 700- and 800-level courses in musicology, ethnomusicology, and music theory; (2) 4 credits in approved non-music electives; (3) 4 credits in CFA MU 921 Research and Directed Study.

Ethnomusicology (1) 16 credits in ethnomusicology and musicology seminars, comprising CFA MU 828, MU 829, MU 830, and MU 739; (2) 12 credits of music and non-music electives (these courses can come from areas such as Anthropology, Musicology, Music Education, Special Topics in Ethnomusicology, History, or specific Area Studies courses from the College of Arts & Sciences at Boston University, or BU Consortium courses); (3) 4 credits in CFA MU 921 Research and Directed Study. Additional requirements: a) at least 2 semesters of World Music Ensemble (MU 567), either as instructor or participant (worth 0 to 1 credit); b) knowledge of the undergraduate survey course Musical Cultures of the World (MU 340/350), either as a teaching assistant or by auditing the course.

Music Theory 3 credits in CFA MU 749 Research and Bibliography; 6 credits in CFA MU 701 and CFA MU 702 Advanced Tonal Analysis and Advanced Analysis in Contemporary Music; 3 credits in either CFA MU 801 or CFA MU 802 Seminar in Theory; 3 credits in CFA MU 620 Schenkerian Analysis I; 3 credits in CFA MU 852 History of Music Theory II; 3 credits in either CFA MU 851 History of Music Theory I or CFA MU 720 Schenkerian Analysis II; 3 credits in an advanced musicology course; 2 credits in a composition course chosen from CFA MU 605 Fugue, CFA MU 606 Modal Counterpoint, CFA MU 705 Advanced Topics in Counterpoint, and CFA MU 706 Advanced Tonal Composition; 2 credits in CFA MU 912 Research and Directed Study in Theory/Composition; and 4 credits in approved electives.

Composition 18 credits to be chosen from CFA MU 575 Graduate Composition, CFA MU 705 Advanced Topics in Counterpoint, and CFA MU 703, 704 Orchestration I, II; 6 credits in advanced music history; 2 credits in CFA MU 649 Music Research Techniques; 6 credits from approved electives.

Music Education 12 credits in music education; 6 credits in music history and music theory; 11 credits in approved electives; and CFA MU 795.

Language Requirement

German and one other foreign language are required for musicology majors. One foreign language required for ethnomusicology and theory majors.

Terminal Project

Musicology and ethnomusicology majors must write a thesis. The student will first submit to the chair of the department a proposal of approximately 10 pages in length, consisting of: (1) a description of the subject to be addressed and the methods of research involved, (2) a chapter outline, and (3) a bibliography. After the proposal has been approved, the candidate enrolls in CFA MU 921 Research and Directed Study. The candidate submits two copies of the final draft to the chair of the department.

Composition majors must write an orchestral composition requiring a minimum of 15 minutes in performance or an instrumental, vocal, or chamber ensemble composition requiring a minimum of 20 minutes in performance time.

Music education majors must write a thesis as outlined in the Music Education Department handbook.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Musicology or Ethnomusicology is designed for those who are preparing themselves (1) for research and writing; (2) for college or university teaching in musicology; or (3) to be executives of music firms requiring concentrated knowledge and experience of music and music research, including editing and publishing music of all periods and styles. The curriculum for this degree is structured in breadth as well as in depth and is therefore of equal value to conductors, music school administrators, and performers and pedagogues at the very highest levels of scholarship and performance.

A minimum of 32 credits is required for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in musicology, 42 credits for the PhD with double concentration in musicology and theory.

Prerequisites

Candidates in musicology or ethnomusicology must possess a master’s degree usually with a concentration in musicology or its equivalent. Deficiencies must be made up without credit. Candidates in the double concentration must possess a master’s degree with a major in musicology, music theory, or composition. Additional prerequisites may be required if deemed necessary by the faculty.

Fields of Specialization and Course Requirements

Candidates choose one of the following fields of specialization: musicology, ethnomusicology, or the double concentration in music history and music theory.

Musicology As with the MA in Musicology, there are no specific course requirements for the PhD in Musicology, but students should customize their program in consultation with their advisor using the following distribution as a general guide: (1) 24 credits from among 700- and 800-level courses in musicology, ethnomusicology, and music theory; (2) 4 credits in approved non-music electives; (3) 4 credits in CFA MU 921 Research and Directed Study.

Ethnomusicology (1) 16 credits in ethnomusicology and musicology seminars, comprising MU 828, MU 829, MU 830, and MU 921; (2) 16 credits in related areas such as Anthropology, Musicology, Music Education, Special Topics in Ethnomusicology, History, or specific Area Studies courses from the College of Arts & Sciences at Boston University, or BU Consortium courses (3) at least 2 semesters of World Music Ensemble (MU 567), either as instructor or participant (worth 0 credit); b) knowledge of the undergraduate survey course Musical Cultures of the World (MU 340/350), either as a teaching assistant, or by auditing the course.

Double Concentration Candidates in Musicology and Music Theory elect 6 credits in period music history courses; 6 credits in period seminars (CFA MU 821–825); 6 credits in CFA MU 851, 852 History of Music Theory; 9 credits from: CFA MU 617 Pedagogy of Music Theory; CFA MU 701 Advanced Tonal Analysis; CFA MU 702 Advanced Analysis in Contemporary Music; CFA MU 705 Advanced Topics in Counterpoint; CFA MU 706 Advanced Tonal Composition; CFA MU 801, 802 Seminars in Theory; 6 credits in either CFA MU 921 Research and Directed Study in Musicology, or CFA MU 912 Research and Directed Study in Music Theory; 3 credits in approved music theory electives; 6 credits in approved music history or theory electives, determined on the basis of previous coursework.

Language Requirement

The candidate must demonstrate a reading knowledge of German and one other foreign language.

Qualifying Examination

The student may take the qualifying examinations for the doctorate on the completion of a minimum of 30 credits applicable toward the degree. The student must have the written approval of the advisor for each attempt at these examinations. As part of the evaluation of the written and oral examinations, the examiners may specify areas for further study above the minimum credit requirement for the degree, whether or not the examinations were passed. In the case of an unsuccessful attempt, the examiners may specify such further requirements before allowing the student to repeat the examinations. The six-hour minimal requirement of research and directed study may be undertaken only after the successful completion of the examinations.

The qualifying examination, written and oral, consists of four sections: (1) topics in the applicant’s primary area of research; (2) topics in a secondary area; (3) ethnomusicology (if not chosen already), aesthetics, performance practice, critical theory, etc.; (4) theory/analysis. The examination may not be taken more than three times. A written application to take the qualifying examination must be submitted to the Chair of the Department at least six weeks in advance of the scheduled examination date.

Residency Requirement

Every doctoral candidate must be enrolled as a full-time student for at least one academic year. See General Requirements for the PhD on this site.

Dissertation Prospectus

See the General Requirements for the PhD on this site.

Dissertation

The candidate must write a dissertation that constitutes an original contribution to the field of musical knowledge.

Dissertation Defense

On completion of the dissertation, the candidate must pass an oral defense on the subject matter and the background of the dissertation.

Courses

The schedule of courses to be offered by the School of Music during a given semester may be found in the College of Fine Arts section of the Class Schedule.