Graduate
General Requirements for Master's Degrees
Structure of Master's Curricula
A. Major Field (18-31 credits)
B. Music History and Literature Requirement
6 credit hours selected from:
- M525 Survey of Operatic Literature (3 cr.)
- M527 Symphonic Literature (3 cr.)
- M528 Chamber Music Literature (3 cr.)
- M650 Music in the United States (3 cr.)
- M651 Medieval Music (3 cr.)
- M652 Renaissance Music (3 cr.)
- M653 Baroque Music (3 cr.)
- M654 Classic Music (3 cr.)
- M655 Romantic Music (3 cr.)
- M656 Modern Music (3 cr.)
- M657 Music Since 1960 (3 cr.)
- M502 Composers: Variable Topics (3 cr.). Course topics cannot be repeated.
- M510 Topics in Music Literature (3 cr.). Course topics cannot be repeated.
C. Other Required Credits
6 credit hours, inside or outside the Jacobs School of Music.
- Courses must be at the 500 level or higher, except that courses outside the Jacobs School of Music may be at the 300 or 400 levels, with the approval of the director of graduate studies. For students whose degree requires a language as a tool subject, 200-level courses in that language may be used with the approval of the student’s degree department and the director of graduate studies.
- Performance lessons must be at the 800 level and may not include lessons on the student’s major instrument (or on any instrument in the case of degrees in multiple woodwinds).
- Credits may not be used for major ensemble, capstone courses (e.g., thesis, document), recitals, proficiency courses, or tool subjects.
Some majors may restrict how some or all of these credits are allocated. See the individual degree listings.
6 credits taken within a single department outside the student’s major department may become an outside area, subject to the approval of the appropriate department and the director of graduate studies. An outside area may become a minor if 12 credit hours are taken in that field.
D. Major Ensemble
As determined by each department. See list of Major Ensembles under "Courses" in this bulletin.
E. Language Proficiencies and Tool Subjects (if required)
F. Comprehensive Review
Before graduation, all master’s degree students must pass an oral or written examination. It is the responsibility of the student to consult with the major field department to ascertain the procedures established within that department. This consultation should occur within the first year of residency.