Mar 29, 2025  
University Catalog 2023-2024 
    
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University Catalog 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music, M.M.

Location(s): Main Campus

The Master of Music Degree Program Learning Outcomes:

  1. Mastery of musicianship skills, artistry, and technique appropriate to the specific degree program.
  2. The ability to make effective artistic and intellectual musical judgments at a professional level in the area of specialization.
  3. Thorough knowledge of repertoire and historical performance practices appropriate to the specific field of study.
  4. Critical thinking and effective written and verbal communication skills in the context of musical discourse.
  5. The ability to independently research musical issues and formulate artistic and/or scholarly conclusions.

Program Requirement:

  1. A minimum of 20 semester-units is required in the Master of Music degree program core, with 14-16 additional units required for each individual option.
  2. At least 15 units must be 5000-level music courses.
  3. A project (MUS 5990  or MUS 5995 ) in the form of a composition, conducting recital, solo recital, lecture recital, or chamber music recital (candidate must play a primary role) is required at the end of each program.
  4. Graduate students who receive individual studio lessons as part of their degree program are required to concurrently enroll in an area-approved ensemble for each term of studio lesson enrollment.
  5. Students enrolled in the Master of Music degree program must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better in their music courses.
  6. Students are required to select one of the following options:

Learning Outcomes  Roadmap  

Degree Requirement (34-37 units)

Core Courses (20-21 units)

A. History and Literature (3-4 units)

Select from the following. Courses that have been selected to satisfy the core requirement cannot be double-counted to satisfy the option requirement.

B. Seminar (3 units)

Select one from the following:

C. Applied Music (6 units)

Select one from each group. Repeat group I for 4 units. Courses selected to satisfy the core requirement cannot be double-counted to satisfy the option requirement.

D. Research/Analysis Courses (6 units)

E. Culminating Experience (2 units)

Select one course. Students are encouraged to request a project director from their area early in their program of study to ensure that progress toward the final project is accomplished in a timely manner. Students should consult the Department for information on procedures and required deadlines. 

Options (14-16 units)

  • Select one of the six options.
  • Courses that have been counted for the core requirement cannot be double-counted to satisfy the option requirement.

Option I: Composition (15 or 16 units)

Note: The culmination experience project for this option is a composition of at least 15 minutes in duration and a 30-minute recital.

a. Composition Option Required Courses (9 units)
b. History and Literature (3 units)
c. Composition Electives (3 or 4 units)

Select from the following with adviser approval:

Option II: Commercial Music (15 units)

a. Commercial Music Option Required Courses (9 units)
b. Electives (6 units)

With advisor approval, select 6 units from the following :

Option III: Conducting (14 units)

Notes: Students in this option select one track with advisor approval. The culmination experience project for this option is a conducting recital.

Conducting Required Courses (5 units)
Track I: Choral Conducting (9 units)
a. Applied Music (3 units)

Choose one course and repeat for three units total.

b. Diction (2 units)
c. Electives (4 units)

Select from the following:

Track II: Instrumental Conducting (9 units)
a. Applied Music (3 units)
b. History and Literature Elective (3 units)

Select one course:

c. Electives (3 units)

Select from the following:

Option IV: Performance (14 units)

a. Performance Option Required Course (3 units)
b. Applied Music (4 units)

Select one course. Ensemble participation is required each term of enrollment.

c. History and Literature Elective (3 units)

Select from the following:

d. Performing Organizations (4 units)

Select from the following with advisor approval:

Option V: Afro Latin Music (15 units)

Note: The culmination experience project for this option is a recital or composition or arrangement or recording project.

a. Afro Latin Option Required Courses (10 units)
b. Performance (5 units)

Option VI: Music Education (14 units)

a. Music Education Option Required Courses (5 units)
b. History and Literature Elective (3 units)

Select from the following with advisor approval:

c. Electives (6 units)

Select from the following with advisor approval: