Graduate Division
Curricula for Graduate Degrees
Music Theory
Music theory at Indiana University emphasizes musicianship and scholarly study with particular emphasis on the history of musical thought, analysis of musical structure, and pedagogy.
Master of Music in Music Theory
Admission Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in music or its demonstrated equivalent. For additional information, see "Admission Requirements" in the Graduate Division section of this bulletin.
Major
21 credit hours
- T550 Readings in Music Theory (3 cr.)
- T551 Analytical Techniques for Tonal Music (3 cr.)
- T555 Schenkerian Analysis (3 cr.)
- T556 Analysis of Music Since 1900 (3 cr.)
- T565 Stylistic Counterpoint: Variable Topics (3 cr.)
- T591 Teaching of Music Theory (3 cr.)
- T658 Seminar in Music Theory: Variable Topics (3 cr.)
- T599 Master’s Degree Comprehensive Review (0 cr.)
A student may demonstrate proficiency in any one of these areas without substituting another graduate-level music theory course.
Music History and Literature Requirement
6 credit hours. See “Structure of Master’s Curricula” under General Requirements for Master’s Degrees in this bulletin.
Other Required Credits
6 credit hours. See “Structure of Master’s Curricula” under General Requirements for Master’s Degrees in this bulletin.
Major Ensemble
2 credit hours each semester until four fall-spring enrollments are reached or the student graduates.
Tool Subject
M539 Introduction to Music Bibliography (2 cr.) with a grade of B or higher or evidence of proficiency demonstrated by examination.
Doctor of Philosophy in Music Theory (through University Graduate School)
Admission Requirements
A master’s degree in music theory or musicology or the demonstrated equivalent. Students with outstanding credentials may apply directly from a bachelor’s degree. For additional information, see "Admission Requirements" in the Graduate Division section of this bulletin.
Major
36-66 credit hours. Students with a completed master’s degree must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours in the major field, including dissertation. Students admitted directly from the bachelor’s degree must complete at least 66 credit hours in the major field.
Foundation Courses
Demonstrated proficiency in the content of the following courses:
- T551 Analytical Techniques for Tonal Music (3 cr.)
- T555 Schenkerian Analysis (3 cr.)
- T556 Analysis of Music Since 1900 (3 cr.)
- T565 Stylistic Counterpoint: Variable Topics (3 cr.)
- T591 Teaching of Music Theory (3 cr.)
Students may demonstrate proficiency through methods determined by the department such as examination or submission of a portfolio based on previous coursework, or by completion of the above courses. Proficiency demonstrated through means other than taking the courses listed requires approval of the department chairperson and the director of graduate studies.
Advanced Courses
- T623-T624 History of Music Theory I-II (3-3 cr.)
- T658 Seminar in Music Theory: Variable Topics (3-3-3-3 cr.)
- T550 Readings in Music Theory* (3 cr.)
- 3 credits chosen from T658 Seminar in Music Theory: Variable Topics (3 cr.), T561 Music Theory: Variable Topics (3 cr.), or T619 Projects and Problems in Music Theory (3 cr.), or another graduate course approved by the department chairperson and director of graduate studies.
- T700 Dissertation in Music Theory (3-27 cr.)
* Students who have already fulfilled the T550 requirement must take 3 credits of T658, T561, or T619, or another graduate course approved by the department chairperson and director of graduate studies.
Public Lecture
T659 Public Lecture (0 cr.). The public lecture must be completed before taking the oral qualifying examination.
Minor and Other Required Credits
24 credit hours. 12 credits must be a minor in either music history and literature or musicology. For the other 12 credits, see “Structure of Doctoral Curricula” under General Requirements for Doctoral Degrees in this bulletin.
Tool Subjects
- M539 Introduction to Music Bibliography (2 cr.) with a grade of B or higher
- Reading knowledge of two non-English languages as demonstrated by examination, by grades of B or higher in two semesters of reading courses at the graduate level in each, or by receiving, in the cases of Catalan, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, or Spanish, a grade of B (3.0) or better in a literature or civilization course at Indiana University numbered 300 or higher (exclusive of individual readings and correspondence courses) in which the reading is done in the foreign language; or reading knowledge of one language and demonstration of proficiency in one research skill, approved by the department and the director of graduate studies of the Jacobs School of Music