Academic Calendar

Music Research, M.A.

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:

Course Title Hours
GRAD 7000Master's Thesis0
or GRAD 7030 Master's Practicum
GRAD 7300Research Integrity Tutorial0
GRAD 7500Academic Integrity Tutorial0
MUSC 7050Bibliography and Research Methods3
  • 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

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Hours
GRAD 7300 Research Integrity Tutorial 0
GRAD 7500 Academic Integrity Tutorial 0
MUSC 7050 Bibliography and Research Methods 3
7000-level Musicology/Ethnomusicology course 3
MUSC 7100
Proseminar in Musicology
 
MUSC 7120
Seminar in Musicology 1
 
MUSC 7130
Seminar in Ethnomusicology
 
7000-level Music Theory course 3
MUSC 7200
Proseminar in Music Theory
 
MUSC 7210
Seminar in Music Theory/Analysis 1
 
MUSC 7240
Music Theory Pedagogy
 
7000-level Musicology/Ethnomusicology or Music Theory courses 6
 Hours15
Year 2
GRAD 7000
Master's Thesis
or Master's Practicum
0
7000-level Musicology/Ethnomusicology or Music Theory courses 6
 Hours6
 Total Hours21
1

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/Ethnomusicology 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 and Postdoctoral 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 and Postdoctoral 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

MUSC 7002  Graduate Theory Preparation  1 cr  
Survey of harmony and form in common-practice tonal music, intended to prepare students for success in graduate-level music theory courses. This is a pass/fail course.
MUSC 7050  Bibliography and Research Methods  3 cr  
The techniques of bibliography and research methods in music are studied through research projects in selected areas relevant to each student's major field of study. Skill is developed in the use of primary and secondary sources, expository writing and documentation
MUSC 7060  Advanced Diction 1  1 cr  
Advanced training in rules of pronunciation, language use and translations skills in Italian and German. Lab Required.
MUSC 7070  Advanced Diction 2  1 cr  
Advanced training in rules of pronunciation, language use and translations skills in French and English. Lab Required.
MUSC 7100  Proseminar in Musicology  3 cr  
Survey of historiography and methodological approaches in musicology through critical examination of significant texts. Topics will include the history of the discipline, significant intellectual developments in the field, and key concepts in historical musicology and ethnomusicology.
MUSC 7120  Seminar in Musicology  3 cr  
Advanced graduate seminar investigating selected topics in musicology and/or music history. The content of this course varies and may be repeated for credit only when the topic subtitle differs from one previously taken.
MUSC 7130  Seminar in Ethnomusicology  3 cr  
Advanced graduate seminar investigating selected topics in ethnomusicology. The content of this course varies and may be repeated for credit only when the topic subtitle differs from one previously taken.
MUSC 7180  Ensemble  3 cr  
Studio instruction and monitored pre-professional training activities in chamber music leading to the presentation of ensemble performance.
MUSC 7200  Proseminar in Music Theory  3 cr  
A survey of methodological approaches in music theory and analysis, related to tonal and post-tonal music. Critical examination of significant texts and analysis of selected repertoire, highlighting connections between analysis and musical performance.
MUSC 7210  Seminar in Music Theory and Analysis  3 cr  
Advanced graduate seminar investigating selected topics in music theory and music analysis. The content of this course varies and may be repeated for credit only when the topic subtitle differs from one previously taken.
MUSC 7240  Music Theory Pedagogy  3 cr  
A practice-based graduate seminar on philosophies and methodologies used in teaching undergraduate music theory. Critical examination of pedagogical resources, teaching techniques, assessment, and curriculum design.
MUSC 7380  Piano Repertoire Seminar  2 cr  
Advanced study of the repertoire for solo piano up to the early 20th century.
MUSC 7390  Piano Chamber Music Literature Seminar  2 cr  
Advanced survey of piano chamber music.
MUSC 7400  Major Practical Study 1  3 cr  
Private studio instruction and monitored pre-professional training activities in one of the following: composition, conducting, or any one of the standard instruments or voice.
MUSC 7410  Major Practical Study 2  3 cr  
A continuation of Major Practical Study 1.
MUSC 7490  Advanced Piano Pedagogy  2 cr  
Consideration of advanced approaches to the teaching of styles and techniques through an examination of piano repertoire.
MUSC 7520  Coaching Skills  2 cr  
Advanced training in philosophies and techniques of vocal coaching including both song and operatic repertoire.
MUSC 7530  Operatic Piano  2 cr  
Development of skills required of an operatic pianist, including standard Arias, operatic scores, working with conductors and developing orchestral sound. May include participation in community opera events (by audition only).
MUSC 7600  Advanced Orchestration  3 cr  
Advanced practical work in orchestration for various-sized large ensembles up to and including full orchestra. Detailed study of selected scores and work on individual orchestration projects.
MUSC 7630  20th to 21st Century Piano Repertoire  2 cr  
Advanced study of piano repertoire since 1900.
MUSC 7810  Electroacoustic Music  3 cr  
A study of the techniques of electroacoustic music.
MUSC 7860  Topics in Music  3 cr  
Course orientation will vary according to the needs and interests of students. A specific topic will be chosen for each offering of the course.