Master of Music (MM) in Musicology

The Master of Music in Musicology program is not currently admitting students. If you are interested in the Master of Arts in Musicology, please see the program’s page on the College of Fine Arts website.

General Requirements

The MM in Musicology is granted upon successful completion of a program of study, written and oral qualifying examinations, and terminal projects appropriate to the student’s field of specialization. Students must complete a minimum of 32 semester credits with grades no lower than B– in graduate-level coursework. All degree requirements must be completed within five years of the date of matriculation.

Proficiency Examinations

All entering Master of Music in Musicology students are required to take proficiency examinations in the areas of music theory and musicology. These examinations are administered online before the start of classes. Incoming students are notified of the exam dates and contents in advance and are responsible for taking them by the specified deadline. Exam results are used for purposes of advisement and may establish prerequisite or required coursework. Material covered in these examinations is commonly presented in most undergraduate degree programs in music. No retakes of the exam will be permitted.

Required Courses

Any deficiencies identified by the proficiency exams must be addressed as soon as possible, regardless of whether or not the student plans to take other courses in these areas. Students may not take advanced graduate courses in a particular area OR graduate until all deficiencies have been addressed. Prerequisite and other required courses may include:

  • CFA MH 401 Graduate Music History Review
  • CFA MT 401 Graduate Music Theory Review
  • CFA MT 601 Analytical Techniques 1
  • CFA MT 602 Analytical Techniques 2

Program of Study

The MM program in Historical Musicology and in Ethnomusicology is designed as a two-year, 32-credit (roughly 8 courses) degree. Students in the Historical Musicology route should take CFA MH 820 Proseminar in Historical Musicology and Ethnomusicology in their first semester, and CFA MH 799 Master’s Thesis in their final semester while completing their MM thesis. There are no further specific course requirements for the MM in Musicology, and students should plan their program in consultation with their advisors with the following distribution as a general guide: (1) 16–20 credits from among 700- and 800-level courses in musicology, ethnomusicology, music theory, or consortium offerings; (2) 4–8 credits in approved non-music electives.

Ethnomusicology students are required to take four core seminars, as follows:

  1. CFA MH 799 Master’s Thesis
  2. CFA MH 820 Proseminar in Historical Musicology and Ethnomusicology (to be taken in the first semester)
  3. CFA MH 860 Research Methods in Ethnomusicology
  4. CFA MH 861 Contemplating Ethnomusicology

The remaining 16 credits may combine music and non-music electives from the areas of musicology, ethnomusicology, anthropology, music education, history, or specific area studies courses at the University. The exact distribution of these courses should be planned in consultation with the student’s advisor.

Additional requirements:

  1. At least two semesters of CFA MH 561 World Music Ensemble, either as instructor or participant (worth 0 credit)
  2. Knowledge of the undergraduate survey course CFA MH 336 Musical Cultures of the World, either as a teaching assistant or by auditing the course

Language Requirement

German and one other foreign language are required for historical musicology candidates. One foreign language is required for ethnomusicology candidates.

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination in historical musicology or ethnomusicology consists of a one-hour oral examination administered by the department.

Terminal Project

Historical musicology and ethnomusicology majors must write a thesis. The student will first submit to the chair of the department a proposal of approximately ten 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 Research and Directed Study. The candidate submits two copies of the final draft to the chair of the department.