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Music Composition - M.A.

Take your music composition skills to the next level. Our master's degree is designed to advance your creative skills and prepare you for doctoral study. The composition program emphasizes mastery of large-scale works for media including orchestra, choir, band and/or chamber music ensembles. 

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College of the Arts
School of Music
www.kent.edu/music

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Master of Arts in Music Composition – M.A.

Kent State University's School of Music offers a student-centered approach to academic courses in composition. 

Graduate Assistantship Information

Program Information for Music Composition - M.A.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Master of Arts degree in Music Composition is designed to advance the music composition creative skills of advanced students and prepare them for admission to doctoral study. The program emphasizes mastery of composition of large-scale works for media, including orchestra, choir, band and/or chamber music ensembles.

Based on a solid undergraduate music degree, the M.A. degree further develops abilities in music theory, including analytical, aural, written, keyboard and pedagogical skills. The program further develops breadth and depth in the area of music history and literature.

Admissions for Music Composition - M.A.

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Résumé
  • Goal statement(s)
  • Portfolio of original compositions
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 50 PTE score
    • Minimum 100 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Rolling admissions
  • Spring Semester
    • Rolling admissions
  • Summer Term
    • Rolling admissions

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Compile a body of completed compositions.
  2. Demonstrate and apply compositional techniques for creation of new works, including musical style and structure.
  3. Analyze music from a wide range of styles and style periods and communicate results in written and oral formats.
  4. Recognize, identify and analyze representative literature from different historical periods, countries and composers.
  5. Communicate knowledge of composition, theory and other aspects of music as would be done in classroom and private teaching.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
MUS 58251PEDAGOGY OF MUSIC THEORY 2
MUS 61211COMPOSITION (course is repeatable)8
MUS 62411MUSIC BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESEARCH METHODS 2
Music Ensemble2
Music History Electives, choose from the following:6
MUS 52131
MUSIC OF THE UNITED STATES
MUS 52161
HISTORY OF JAZZ
MUS 52181
POPULAR WORLD MUSIC
MUS 62171
MUSIC FROM WORLD CULTURES
MUS 62281
SEMINAR IN MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE
Music Theory Electives, choose from the following: 16
MUS 51141
16TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT
MUS 51151
18TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT
MUS 61131
SCHENKERIAN ANALYSIS
MUS 61173
WORLD MUSIC ANALYSIS
MUS 61174
ANALYSIS OF WESTERN ART MUSIC
MUS 61181
POST-TONAL THEORY
MUS 61191
SEMINAR IN MUSIC SINCE 1900
Culminating Requirement
MUS 68199THESIS I 26
Minimum Total Credit Hours:32
1

Selection of music theory course is based on students' result from the theory placement exam. In the case of the exam results placing a student into MUS 51011 and/or MUS 51012, these courses will not count towards the M.A. degree and must be taken in addition to the music theory requirements.

2

Students writing a thesis must pass a final oral examination covering the thesis and the student’s major area of study. The final oral examination may be attempted two times.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Accreditation for Music Composition - M.A.

Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Music

WHO NEEDS TO AUDITION?

Students pursuing Master of Arts (M.A.) programs only need to audition if interested in applied lessons. Only those interested in pursuing a Master of Music (M.M.) in Performance or Conducting need to audition for admission to their program of choice. 

More Graduate Audition Information

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Music Composition - M.A.

Those who complete the Master of Arts in Music Composition at Kent State University can benefit from specialized career opportunities in music composition.

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary

5.6%

faster than the average

116,300

number of jobs

$69,690

potential earnings

Music directors and composers

1.7%

slower than the average

58,000

number of jobs

$52,250

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
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