Music, M.A.

The Master of Arts degree in Music is offered for students desiring a graduate degree with a breadth of music study. The degree program can be tailored to meet specific interests and abilities in consultation with graduate advisers.

Admission to the Program

In addition to University requirements for admission to graduate study, applicants must have a baccalaureate in music from an accredited college or university. All applicants must take a graduate placement examination in music. In addition, students must seek advisement and have a program filed in the Music Department before being admitted to classified standing.

Students intending to pursue a graduate degree in music who do not have an undergraduate degree in music are required to pass or show proficiency in the core undergraduate music curriculum before being classified. The core curriculum includes music theory, musicianship, music history, technology and piano proficiency (please refer to the description of the core curriculum in the section describing the undergraduate degree programs in the Department of Music for a list of these expected courses).

Requirements for the Degree (45 units)

A total. of 45 quarter units is required (a required core of 6 units and 39 additional units) including at least 23 units in 500-level music courses placement in Applied Music is by audition. Students must take a comprehensive examination the program concludes with a thesis or project.

Graduate students who receive individual studio lessons as part of their degree program are required to concurrently enroll in an approved ensemble for each unit of studio lesson enrollment in order to receive individual studio lessons, a graduate student is expected to maintain full-time enrollment. Students enrolled in the Master of Arts degree program must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better in their music courses.

Required Core (6 units)

MUS 500 - Research Techniques in Music (2)
MUS 596 - Comprehensive Examination (0)
MUS 599 - Thesis or Project (1–4) (4)

Required units for the Degree (39 units)

Required courses (12 units)

To be taken in sequence

Seminar

Select 4 units from the following:

Applied Music or Performance (3 units)

Select 3 units from the following:

Applied

MUS 415A - Strings (1)
MUS 416A - Woodwinds (1)
MUS 417A - Brass (1)
MUS 418A - Percussion (1)
MUS 435A - Voice (1)
MUS 445A - Piano (1)
MUS 446A - Organ (1)
MUS 447 - Accompanying (2)
MUS 519A - Applied Music: Orchestral Instruments (1)
MUS 535A - Applied Music: Voice (1)
MUS 549A - Applied Music, Keyboard Instruments (1)

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