MA in Music/PhD in Musicology

The MA in Music/PhD in Musicology is offered by the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) in close collaboration with the College of Fine Arts (CFA) School of Music.

Credits

A minimum of 64 credits must be completed for the post-bachelor’s Master of Arts in Music and PhD in Musicology.

This program does not lead to the double specialization in Historical Musicology and Ethnomusicology. Students who wish to pursue a PhD with a double specialization in Historical Musicology and Ethnomusicology must apply for this program separately upon completion of their MA requirements.

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 in music.

Placement Exams

All incoming students must take proficiency exams in music history and music theory. These exams are administered just before the start of the fall semester and the results are used to inform course selections. Students who are found to be deficient in either area may be assigned remedial coursework as determined by their advisor. This remedial coursework will not count towards the requirements of the degree.

Fields of Specialization

Candidates choose one of the following fields of specialization:

  • Historical musicology
  • Ethnomusicology

Course Requirements

Historical Musicology specialization students should take the Pro-Seminar in Musicology and Ethnomusicology (CFA MU 828) in their first semester and Research and Bibliography (Music) (CFA MU 749) in their first year. There are no further 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:

  • 41 further credits from among 700- and 800-level courses in musicology, ethnomusicology, and music theory
  • 8 credits of approved non-music electives
  • 4 credits in Master’s Thesis (CFA MU 795)
  • 4 credits of Research and Directed Study in Music (CFA MU 921)

Ethnomusicology specialization students should take the Pro-Seminar in Musicology and Ethnomusicology (CFA MU 828) in their first semester. Other requirements are as follows:

  • 8 credits in Research Methods in Ethnomusicology (CFA MU 829) and Contemplating Ethnomusicology (CFA MU 830)
  • 36 credits in approved areas such as anthropology, musicology, music education, ethnomusicology, history, or specific area studies courses from Boston University or the Boston Consortium
  • 8 credits of approved non-music electives
  • At least 2 semesters of World Music Ensemble (CFA MU 567), either as instructor or participant (worth 0 or 1 credit)
  • Knowledge of the undergraduate survey course Musical Cultures of the World (CFA MU 340/350), either as a teaching assistant, or by auditing the course
  • 4 credits in Master’s Thesis (CFA MU 795)
  • 4 credits of Research and Directed Study in Music (CFA MU 921)

Master’s-Level Comprehensive Exams

MA/PhD candidates specializing in Historical Musicology must pass a Comprehensive Exam. This exam must be taken at the beginning of the fourth semester of course work. The exam will be oral and will consist of a one-half hour round of questions from members of the faculty on fundamental repertory of Western music. Candidates must display a general knowledge of and familiarity with this repertory and its history.

MA/PhD candidates specializing in Ethnomusicology must pass a Comprehensive Exam. This exam must be taken at the beginning of the fourth semester of course work. The exam will be oral and will consist of a one-half hour round of questions from members of the faculty on the theory, history, and practice of ethnomusicology. Candidates must display a general knowledge of the field and its history.

Language Requirement

  • MA/PhD candidates specializing in Historical Musicology must demonstrate a reading knowledge of German and one other foreign language.
  • MA/PhD candidates specializing in Ethnomusicology must demonstrate a reading and speaking knowledge of two foreign languages relevant to their studies.

Students who choose to fulfill a language requirement through a GRS Reading Seminar (e.g., GRS LF 621, LG 621, LI 621, etc.) should obtain a copy of the Report of Examinations form from the department’s administrative coordinator to be signed by the Chair and then submitted to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GRS) Records Office, 705 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 112. Students who fulfill a language requirement by examination will have this form submitted on their behalf.

Master’s Thesis

All candidates must write a thesis. Students should discuss and formulate a topic with their advisor by the end of their second semester. The student will first submit to the Chair of the Department a proposal of approximately 10 pages in length, consisting of:

  • A description of the subject to be addressed and the methods of research involved
  • A chapter outline
  • A bibliography

Spring graduates must submit their proposals to the chair no later than November 15 of their third semester. After the proposal has been approved, the candidate may enroll in Master’s Thesis (CFA MU 795). Please note that a separate thesis title approval form must be submitted to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Records Office, 705 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 112. Please note that a separate thesis title approval form must be submitted to the Graduate School Office. For further information about this form, see the GRS Graduation Information page.

The candidate must submit the final draft of the completed thesis to the Chair after this copy has been approved and signed by the readers. Failure to submit the final, approved, and signed thesis will mean that the university requirement will not be met. After approval by the Chair, one hard copy of the final document must be submitted to the Chair.

Doctoral Qualifying Examinations

Students should take the qualifying examinations for the doctorate when they have only four credits remaining to be fulfilled toward the degree (CFA MU 921). Students 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 examinations may not be taken more than three times. A written application to take the qualifying examinations must be submitted to the Chair of the Department at least six weeks in advance of the scheduled examination date. Students may enroll in Research and Directed Study (CFA MU 921) only after the successful fulfillment of the examinations.

Historical Musicology

Preparation for the Qualifying Exams should begin during the sixth semester of course work. Guided by their advisor, students will select three topics on which to compile substantial annotated bibliographies. Students should submit their final bibliographies to their advisor for final approval no later than the beginning of the semester or summer in which they plan to take their exams. The Historical Musicology qualifying exam is in four parts: a take-home essay of 5,000-7,000 words for each of the three topics, to be completed in one week each, and a theory examination, to be completed in one weekend.

Ethnomusicology

Preparation for the Qualifying Exams should begin two or three semesters prior to the examination. Guided by their advisor, students will select three topics relevant to their dissertation on which to compile substantial annotated bibliographies. Students should submit their final bibliographies to their advisor for final approval no later than the beginning of the semester or summer in which they plan to take their exams. The examination committee will schedule a one-week period for the Qualifying Exams to take place before the student’s fifth semester. The Exam Committee will devise three questions, one on each topic selected, for each of which the student will write an essay of 5,000-7,000 words to be submitted along with the annotated bibliography for each essay. In addition, students will be asked to analyze a recording from their research area. If the essays are considered acceptable, the student and the examination committee will meet for an oral exam of three hours to discuss the exam topics in depth as well any other questions about the discipline.

Residency Requirement

Every MA/PhD candidate must be enrolled as a full-time student for at least one academic year. See the Degree Requirements for the PhD under Residency.

Dissertation Prospectus

Before embarking upon the dissertation, the candidate must submit a dissertation prospectus to the department and the Graduate School. The first draft of the dissertation prospectus must be submitted to the department within ninety days of the completion of the qualifying exams. See the Degree Requirements for the PhD under Dissertation Prospectus.

Oral Exam

The oral examination takes place approximately one month after the completion of all written exams and receipt of the dissertation prospectus. It deals primarily with the dissertation prospectus (proposal).

Dissertation

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

Abstract and Dissertation Defense

The candidate must submit an approved abstract of the dissertation and pass an oral defense on the subject matter and the background of the dissertation. See the General Requirements for the PhD under
Abstract and Final Oral Examination.

The final draft of the dissertation must be submitted to all the readers at least two weeks prior to the defense date.

The candidate must submit the final draft of the completed dissertation to the Chair two weeks before the university deadline for submission. This copy must already have been approved and signed by the readers. Failure to meet this requirement will mean that the University deadline will not be met. After approval by the Chair, one hard copy of the final document must be submitted to the Chair. The dissertation defense must be scheduled at least two weeks prior to the filing deadline.

Failure to adhere to these dates will mean that the date of graduation will be delayed.

Research with Human Subjects

Students doing research with living human subjects, or with data from living human subjects, are required to comply with IRB regulations. For further information and to begin the process of obtaining IRB compliance, see the Institutional Review Board website.