M.A. Degree

Master of Arts in Musicology

Degree Requirements

General Admission Requirements

  1. 3.0 minimum grade point average in undergraduate and graduate work to date.
  2. Three letters of recommendation.
  3. A sample of written research, such as a term paper or a senior thesis.
  4. Students are expected to have some proficiency at the keyboard and a high level of ability in a performance area. A reasonable background in other fine arts, history, and literature is also required. Students lacking in these areas may be advised against seeking a degree in Musicology, or advised in ways to remedy the deficiencies.

For further admission information, see Graduate Admission.

Language Requirement

Proficiency in the ability to read musicological literature in either French or German. This requirement must be fulfilled before the M.A. final examination can be taken, preferably during the first year of residency. This requirement can be met in one of the following ways:

  1. Successful completion of one semester of a graduate-level reading course approved by the musicology faculty.
  2. Two years of course work in French or German with passing grades in the last ten years.
  3. Successful completion of a standardized exam administered by a language department or program, as approved by the musicology faculty.
  4. Written examination administered by the musicology faculty. The exam will consist of a short article in the designated language, which the student will summarize and from which he/she will translate a short excerpt.

Final Examination

The final examination will be written, and will cover general knowledge of music history and theory. The examination committee will consist of two faculty members from the musicology area and one from music theory or another area outside of musicology, chosen by the advisor in consultation with the student and approved by the musicology faculty.

Thesis (2 s.h.)

Before the end of the second year of residency the student must present a thesis topic to the musicology faculty, along with the name of the advisor. When the faculty have approved the topic and the advisor, the student and advisor together will choose a committee, which will consist of two faculty members from the musicology area (including the advisor) and one from another area (within or outside the School of Music). The student then will submit to the committee a formal proposal, which will include a review of previous research in the topic, a justification for further work, an outline or table of contents, and a selected bibliography. The thesis must be completed within one year of passing the Final Examination.