Music
Dean: (Acting) Dr. Greg Smith (ends April 30, 2025), Dr. Stephen Runge (starts May 1, 2025)
Associate Dean(s): Dr. Colette Simonot-Maiello, Graduate Programs and Research; Dr. Laura Loewen, Undergraduate Programs
Campus Address/General Office: T319 Taché Hall, 150 Dafoe Road
Telephone: 204-474-9310
Fax: 204-474-7546
Email Address: music@umanitoba.ca
Website: umanitoba.ca/music/
Academic Staff: Please refer to the Music website for academic staff information.

Music Research Program Information

The Marcel A. Desautels Faculty of Music offers a Master of Arts in Music Research that focuses on graduate-level research in music, broadly in the areas of Musicology and Music Theory.

M.A. Admission Requirements

Persons who have completed a Bachelor of Music, a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Music, or a related degree may apply for admission to the M.A. program.

Diagnostic Examination

Students admitted to the M.A. program will write diagnostic examinations administered and evaluated by the faculty members of the DFOM, prior to the first day of fall-semester classes. These examinations assess the incoming student’s background in music theory and musicology, and are used to determine if the student would benefit from supplementary preparation or assistance in order to be successful in courses from these areas. Appropriate review materials will be made available to students in advance of the diagnostic examinations.

Application Information

Students should complete and submit their online application with supporting documentation by the date indicated on the Music Research M.A. program of study page.

Degree Requirements

The M.A. in Music Research requires 21 credit hours plus a Thesis or Practicum.

All students must take the following core courses:

• Students will also complete one 7000-level Musicology/Ethnomusicology course (3 CH), and one 7000-level Music Theory course (3 CH). The remaining program requirements include four courses (12 CH) from a list of offerings that include:
  • MUSC 7100 Proseminar in Musicology (3 CH)
  • MUSC 7120 Seminar in Musicology (3 CH)
  • MUSC 7130 Seminar in Ethnomusicology (3 CH)
  • MUSC 7200 Proseminar in Music Theory (3 CH)
  • MUSC 7210 Seminar in Music Theory/Analysis ((3 CH)
  • MUSC 7240 Music Theory Pedagogy (3 CH)
• At least 9 credit hours must consist of 7000-level Musicology/Ethnomusicology and/or Music Theory courses. Additional elective(s) would be assigned by advisement.
• Students must maintain a minimum degree grade point average of 3.0 with no grade below C+.

Second Language Reading Requirement

Students must demonstrate a reading proficiency in one language other than English.  The language required will normally be French, German or Italian. Other languages will be accepted if more appropriate to the student's program. The specific requirement will be determined in consultation with the student's committee. This requirement may be met through one of the following:

• Evidence of the completion of an undergraduate language course at the 1000 level or above in the five years preceding acceptance into the program.
• The translation, using a dictionary, of a passage in the major area of study.
• Completion of a course at the 1000 or higher level after registration in the Master's degree program.
• Determination by the student's committee that the requirement has been met through previous education and/or experience.

Expected Time to Graduate: 2 years

Progression Chart

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The content for MUSC 7120, 7130 and MUSC 7210 will change each time these courses are offered, allowing students to repeat these courses for credit when the subtitle differs.

Notes:

• 12 credit hours of coursework chosen by advisement. At least 9 credit hours must be musicology and/or music theory courses at the 7000-level unless approved by the Advisory Committee and the Faculty of Music’s Associate Dean responsible for graduate programs.
• A formal written proposal for the thesis topic must be submitted to and approved by the Advisory Committee by the end of the first year in the program.

Registration Information

Students should familiarize themselves with the Faculty of Graduate Studies ‘GRAD’ courses applicable to their program. If you have questions about which GRAD course(s) to register in, please consult your home department/unit.

Not all courses are offered each year: please check with the Faculty's Registrar for current and upcoming offerings.

Regulations

Students must meet the requirements as outlined in both Supplementary Regulation and BFAR documents as approved by Senate.

Supplementary Regulations

Individual units may require specific requirements above and beyond those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and students should consult unit supplementary regulations for these specific regulations. 

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR)

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR) represent the core academic requirements a graduate student must acquire in order to gain, and demonstrate acquisition of, essential knowledge and skills.

All students must successfully complete:

• GRAD 7300 prior to applying to any ethics boards which are appropriate to the student’s research or within the student’s first year, whichever comes first; and
• GRAD 7500 within the first term of registration;

unless these courses have been completed previously, as per Mandatory Academic Integrity Course and Mandatory Research Integrity Online Course.

Students must also meet additional BFAR requirements that may be specified for their program.

General Regulations

All students must:

• maintain a minimum degree grade point average of 3.0 with no grade below C+,
• meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum course requirements, and
• meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum time requirements (in terms of time in program and lapse or expiration of credit of courses).

Courses