Master of Arts
Musicology
The Master of Arts in Musicology is designed for students with interest and/or career aspirations as researchers and post-secondary educators. Goals include the demonstration of advanced knowledge of a variety of cultures, various historical periods, and the ability to produce and defend graduate-level scholarly work; the ability to possess a conceptual understanding of evolving relationships among musical structure, music history, performance practices, and the influence of such evolutions on musical and cultural change; the ability to use effectively the tools of scholarship to engage in original research activities (reading skill in foreign languages is essential); demonstration of writing competency in producing scholarly work; possession of critical and independent thinking and problem solving skills; demonstration of advanced competencies in musicology and music theory; enhancement of skills and knowledge of foreign languages and the liberal arts, and the ability to address culture and history from a variety of viewpoints; demonstration of advanced competence in research and writing in musicology.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the MA in Musicology, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
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1. Hold a Bachelor’s degree in music from an accredited institution.
- Exceptions are rare and require the applicant to seek an Exception to Graduate Admission Policy. Please email admissions@music.utah.edu for more information
- 2. Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in all previous collegiate work.
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3. International applicants must meet university English proficiency requirements. The School of Music requires higher scores on the TOEFL and IELTS exams.
- TOEFL: 85 composite score, with a minimum score of 20 in each category
- IELTS: 6.5 band score, with a minimum of 6.0 in each category.
Applying
Complete the following steps to apply to the MM:
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1. Submit the online Graduate Admissions application. As part of this application MM applicants need to upload:
- Transcripts of course work from all schools attended.
- Three letters of recommendation from professors, employers, and/or other professionals qualified to judge the applicants ability to successfully complete doctoral studies.
- A one- to two-page Statement of Purpose outlining the applicant’s background and goals for graduate study in Musicology.
- Three or four research papers in music history that demonstrate your skill as a researcher, writing ability, and capacity for critical thinking and originality. We are interested in reading what you consider to be your best and most substantial work, and we encourage you to revise papers written for undergraduate courses before submission. These papers should be received by February 15 for Fall admission.
Note: Applicants audition and application will be reviewed by a committee of faculty members within the musicology area.
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Required Courses
Academic Courses
A total of 11 hours is required
Bibliography
| Code | Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 6010 | Music Bibliography | 2 |
Musicology Seminars
Choose three from the following:
| Code | Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 6800 | Seminar in Musicology: Renaissance | 3 |
| MUSC 6801 | Seminar in Musicology: Baroque | 3 |
| MUSC 6802 | Seminar in Musicology: Classical | 3 |
| MUSC 6803 | Seminar in Musicology: Romantic | 3 |
| MUSC 6804 | Seminar in Musicology: 1900 to the Present | 3 |
Music Theory
Choose two from the following.
| Code | Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 6550 | Advanced Formal Procedures of the 18th/19th Centuries I | 3 |
| MUSC 6520 | 20th/21st Century Analysis I | 3 |
|
MUSC 6536 |
History of Western Music Theory | 3 |
Electives
Complete 9 hours
| Code | Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Music Courses | 3 | |
| Humanities or Fine Arts courses (Upper-division or Graduate level) | 6 |
Thesis
| Code | Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 6970 | Thesis Research – Submit an 80-100 page document of original 6 research. Student must submit a formal thesis proposal to their Supervisory Committee. | 6 |
This is an academic degree. Therefore, performance lessons will not count toward graduation, although the student may take performance lessons while working on their MA.
Language Requirement
"Standard proficiency" in French, German, or Italian must be demonstrated. Standard proficiency assumes a reading comprehension level expected of a student who has completed one year of college foreign language instruction or the equivalent. Students may verify standard proficiency in one of the following ways:
- Complete a second semester language course (1020), or the equivalent at another institution, with at least a “B” grade (3.0).
- Pass the MLA (Modern Language Assessment) in the Testing Center with a score indicating standard proficiency.
Students requiring remediation in the foreign language requirement must obtain the expected proficiency during their first year of graduate study. This requirement should be satisfied before students enroll in research seminars or begin work on final projects.
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Graduate Placement Exams
Placement examinations in Music History and Music Theory are taken after the student has been accepted by Graduate Admissions. Preparation materials are available on the School of Music website. Placement examinations must be taken prior to registering for Music History and Music Theory courses.
Results of graduate placement exams determine placement in graduate courses and identify areas in which remedial work may be necessary. Students are encouraged to study diligently for these examinations. Poor performance could result in the student being required to take a considerable number of remedial courses. Students recommended for remedial courses must earn a B- or better in recommended courses before advancing to a higher-level course.
Music History
The graduate Music History diagnostic examination covers the breadth of Western art music from the medieval period to the present through a variety of questions evaluating the students knowledge of important composers, works, terms, and concepts.
Music Theory
The graduate Music Theory placement examination assesses the students competence in harmony, voice leading, counterpoint, form, and instrumentation.
Appointment of Supervisory Committee
Members of the Supervisory Committee consult with the student in planning their degree program, research, and thesis; they also administer the thesis defense. It is the responsibility of the student to approach faculty to request that they serve on the Supervisory Committee. Students should submit the Request for Supervisory Committee form to the Academic Coordinator. The Graduate Studies Committee votes on and approves Supervisory Committees.
The thesis supervisor serves as the Chair of the Supervisory Committee. MA Supervisory Committees consist of three faculty members, the majority of whom must be tenure-line faculty in the School of Music. The Supervisor Committee must be chosen during the first year of study.
Written Comprehensive Examination in Musicology
A written comprehensive examination in musicology, administered by the Musicology Area, will be taken by the student at the completion of the program. The examination will focus on materials covered in the 6800- level courses. An examination, or parts of an examination, may be repeated only once and only at the discretion of the Supervisory Committee.
Prior to taking the comprehensive examination the student must have completed all course work in the subject area of the exam and no incompletes may be outstanding. The student must be enrolled in at least one credit hour during the semester of the examination. Summer administration of the examinations is allowed if approved through an Exception to Policy.
Thesis Defense
Upon completion of the thesis, each student must successfully complete an oral defense before the Supervisory Committee. A copy of the thesis must be distributed to the Supervisory Committee at least three weeks prior to the defense; the thesis advisor must approve the thesis prior to distribution. Thesis defenses must be held in a neutral location and are open to the public.
All defenses must be held before the last day of classes in the Fall and Spring semesters. Defenses are not to be held during Final Exam or Reading Days or during Summer semester.