Nov 23, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Music, Musicology Concentration, M.M.


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Jamila McWhirter, Program Director
(615) 898-5922
gradmusic@mtsu.edu

The School of Music  offers a Master of Music degree in Music with concentrations in Collaborative Piano, Conducting, Jazz Studies, Music Composition, Music Education, Musicology, and Performance.

Please see undergraduate catalog for information regarding undergraduate programs.

Admission Requirements


Admission to the Master of Music degree program requires

  1. an earned bachelor’s degree in music from an accredited university or college;
  2. an acceptable grade point average in all college work taken (at least 3.00).

Application Procedures


All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Applicant must

  1. submit application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php). Once this initial application has been accepted, the applicant will receive directions on how to enter the graduate portal to be able to submit other materials.
  2. submit official transcripts of all previous college work.
  3. submit three letters of recommendation.

Additionally, those seeking a concentration in Musicology must submit two (2) research papers of at least five (5) pages in length, one of which is on a music topic.

Degree Requirements


The Master of Music degree in Music with a concentration in Musicology requires completion of 30 semester hours.

Candidates must

  1. complete the curriculum with 70 percent of the total degree hours at the 6000 level (see Curriculum section below for specifics);
  2. successfully complete both written and oral comprehensive examinations no earlier than the student’s last semester of study. Comprehensive examinations may be repeated once;
  3. Additionally, those with a concentration in Musicology must establish proficiencies in music history, music theory*, and foreign language. Musicologists must establish proficiency in one of the following languages: French, German, or Italian.

*NOTE: Diagnostic examinations in music theory and music history will be scheduled during the first week of the semester of study. Students who do not pass the diagnostic examinations should consult with the graduate coordinator to plan how to meet the requirements. Additional courses may be required to satisfy these proficiency requirements.

Curriculum: Music, Musicology


The following illustrates the coursework requirements.

Core Courses (9 hours)


Concentration Courses (12 hours)


  • Two additional semesters of MUS 6630  Music Seminar (6 credit hours)
  • Course at the 6000 level in a related field (must be approved by the graduate coordinator) (3 credit hours)
  • 1 to 6 credit hours (3 credit hours)

Elective Courses (9 hours)


Proficiency Courses Determined by Placement Examination (0-12 hours)


Either or both of these courses may be required based on the results of the student’s diagnostic examinations in music history and music theory:

Additional Study


Students in the musicology specialization must demonstrate reading knowledge or the equivalent of one year of collegiate study of a foreign language (French, Italian, German, or another language approved by the musicology faculty). To satisfy this proficiency, up to two of the following courses may be required:

  • ITAL 1010 - Elementary Italian I 3 credit hours
  • ITAL 1020 - Elementary Italian II 3 credit hours
  • GERM 1010 - Elementary German I 3 credit hours
  • GERM 1020 -  Elementary German II 3 credit hours
  • GERM 5990 - German for Reading Knowledge 3 credit hours
  • FREN 1010 - Elementary French I 3 credit hours
  • FREN 1020 - Elementary French II 3 credit hours
  • FREN 5990 - French for Reading Knowledge 3 credit hours

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