Music Theory - M.A.

The Master of Arts degree in Music Theory is designed to enhance music theory abilities of advanced students and prepare them for admission to doctoral study. Based on a solid undergraduate music degree, the master's 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.

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Program Information for Music Theory - M.A.

Admissions for Music Theory - 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

Applications to the M.A. in Music Theory are not being accepted at this time.

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Résumé
  • Goal statement
  • Academic paper written in English
  • 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.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Analyze music from a wide range of styles and style periods, and communicate results in written and oral formats.
  2. Demonstrate and apply functional aural, written and keyboard skills.
  3. Recognize, identify and analyze representative literature from different historical periods, countries and composers.
  4. Communicate knowledge of music theory and other aspects of music as would be done in classroom and private teaching.

Coursework

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
MUS 58251PEDAGOGY OF MUSIC THEORY 2
MUS 62411MUSIC BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESEARCH METHODS 2
Advisor-Approved Music (MUS) Elective 3
Advisor-Approved Music Ensemble2
Music Theory Electives, choose from the following: 19
MUS 51141
16TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT
MUS 51151
18TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT
MUS 61121
HISTORY OF MUSIC THEORY
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
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 52291
SEMINAR IN MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE
MUS 62171
MUSIC FROM WORLD CULTURES
Culminating Requirement
MUS 68199THESIS I 26
Minimum Total Credit Hours:30
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

All 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

Applications to the M.A. in Music Theory are not being accepted at this time.

Accreditation for Music Theory - M.A.

Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Music

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

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.

How do I complete a program of study?

Step 1. Download the program of study for your program.

Step 2. Make a general plan based on when core electives are being offered.

Step 3. Plan out the time course of when you will take the courses, add these to the program of study, and sign and date the document. 

Step 4. Send your completed form to your advisor so that they may sign it.

Step 5. When returned to you, send the signed form to the Office of Graduate Student Services (Valorie Adkins, vadkins@kent.edu

Performance - M.M.

Turn your passion for music performance into a fulfilling career as a solo performer, orchestral musician or studio teacher with the Master of Music degree. With a focus on literature, repertoire, performance skills and historical performance practices, our program prepares you for a wide range of professional music activities, as well as further study at the doctoral level.

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Program Information for Performance - M.M.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Master of Music degree in Performance is designed to prepare students for professional careers in music.

The Performance major includes the following optional concentrations:

  • The Composition concentration provides students the opportunity to compose works for various mediums and see them through to performance.
  • The Conducting concentration provides students the opportunity to develop advanced competencies in musicianship and analysis and a broad gestural vocabulary, building on their baccalaureate training.

Voice, instrumental and piano performance students who do not declare a concentration have the opportunity to build their technical and interpretive skills to prepare informed and artistic performances.

Admissions for Performance - M.M.

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 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Résumé
  • Goal statement
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Audition
  • 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. Work independently and make effective artistic, intellectual and professional decisions in their area of specialization.
  2. Prepare and communicate their artistic choices and musical research through oral/written means.
  3. Use knowledge and skills in music theory/history to service their interpretation and performance in the area of specialization.

Coursework

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
MUS 52291SEMINAR IN MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE 3
MUS 62411MUSIC BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESEARCH METHODS 2
Applied Music Electives, choose from the following: 18
MUS 61211
APPLIED MUSIC - GRADUATE COMPOSITION
MUS 66111
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE PIANO
MUS 66311
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE VOICE
MUS 66411
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE VIOLIN
MUS 66412
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE VIOLA
MUS 66413
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE CELLO
MUS 66414
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE DOUBLE BASS
MUS 66511
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE FLUTE
MUS 66512
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE OBOE
MUS 66513
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE CLARINET
MUS 66514
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE BASSOON
MUS 66515
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE SAXOPHONE
MUS 66611
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE TRUMPET
MUS 66612
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE HORN
MUS 66613
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE TROMBONE
MUS 66615
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE TUBA
MUS 66711
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE PERCUSSION
MUS 66811
APPLIED MUSIC - GRADUATE CONDUCTING
Ensemble Electives, choose from the following:4
MUS 55131
KENT STATE OPERA THEATRE WORKSHOP
MUS 55141
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY CHORALE
MUS 55142
CORO CANTARE
MUS 55143
CANTIQUE
MUS 55212
ORCHESTRA
MUS 55221
SYMPHONY BAND
MUS 55223
WIND ENSEMBLE
MUS 55231
JAZZ ENSEMBLE
MUS 55271
NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE
MUS 55301
AFRICAN ENSEMBLE
MUS 55302
CARIBBEAN STEELBAND
MUS 55311
CHAMBER MUSIC
MUS 55315
ASIAN MUSIC ENSEMBLE
MUS 55321
ACCOMPANYING
Additional Requirements or Concentrations
Choose from the following:17
Minimum Total Credit Hours:34
1

Students register for 4 credit hours of applied music throughout two semesters.

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration

Major Requirements
MUS 51291SEMINAR IN POST-TONAL AND RECENT MUSIC 13
or MUS 51391 SEMINAR IN TONAL AND PRE-TONAL MUSIC THEORY
or MUS 61174 ANALYSIS OF WESTERN ART MUSIC
MUS 68687RECITAL (taken twice) 24
Applied Music Electives, choose from the following: 34
MUS 61211
APPLIED MUSIC - GRADUATE COMPOSITION
MUS 66111
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE PIANO
MUS 66311
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE VOICE
MUS 66411
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE VIOLIN
MUS 66412
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE VIOLA
MUS 66413
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE CELLO
MUS 66414
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE DOUBLE BASS
MUS 66511
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE FLUTE
MUS 66512
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE OBOE
MUS 66513
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE CLARINET
MUS 66514
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE BASSOON
MUS 66515
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE SAXOPHONE
MUS 66611
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE TRUMPET
MUS 66612
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE HORN
MUS 66613
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE TROMBONE
MUS 66615
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE TUBA
MUS 66711
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE PERCUSSION
Music Electives, choose from the following: 46
MUS 51291
SEMINAR IN POST-TONAL AND RECENT MUSIC
MUS 51391
SEMINAR IN TONAL AND PRE-TONAL MUSIC THEORY
MUS 52221
SYMPHONIC LITERATURE
MUS 52227
WIND BAND LITERATURE
MUS 52241
PIANO LITERATURE
MUS 52261
VOCAL LITERATURE
MUS 52271
CHORAL LITERATURE
MUS 52291
SEMINAR IN MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE
MUS 58610
SINGER'S DICTION 5
Minimum Total Credit Hours:17
1
MUS 61174 requires a Graduate Theory Placement score of 03. Students who earn a Graduate Theory Placement score of 01 and/or 02 will be required to take independent study on Written Theory Review and/or independent study on Aural Theory Review.
2

MUS 68687 is taken twice for 2 credit hours each time.

3

Students register for 2 credit hours of applied music during the two semesters in which they register for MUS 68687.

4

All elective courses require special approval.

5

Students with voice specialization must take MUS 58610.

Composition Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements
MUS 51291SEMINAR IN POST-TONAL AND RECENT MUSIC 3
MUS 51391SEMINAR IN TONAL AND PRE-TONAL MUSIC THEORY 3
MUS 61174ANALYSIS OF WESTERN ART MUSIC 13
MUS 61211APPLIED MUSIC - GRADUATE COMPOSITION (taken twice) 26
MUS 68687RECITAL 2
Minimum Total Credit Hours:17
1

MUS 61174 requires a Graduate Theory Placement score of 03. Students who earn a Graduate Theory Placement score of 01 and/or 02 will be required to take independent study on Written Theory Review and/or independent study on Aural Theory Review.

2

Students register for 2 credit hours of applied music during the semester in which they register for MUS 68687 and 4 credit hours during one other semester.

Conducting Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements
MUS 52221SYMPHONIC LITERATURE 3
or MUS 52227 WIND BAND LITERATURE
or MUS 58610 SINGER'S DICTION
MUS 66811APPLIED MUSIC - GRADUATE CONDUCTING 14
MUS 68687RECITAL 22
Concentration Electives, choose from the following:6
MUS 51291
SEMINAR IN POST-TONAL AND RECENT MUSIC
MUS 51391
SEMINAR IN TONAL AND PRE-TONAL MUSIC THEORY
MUS 52271
CHORAL LITERATURE
MUS 61174
ANALYSIS OF WESTERN ART MUSIC 3
Applied Music Elective, choose from the following:2
MUS 66111
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE PIANO
MUS 66311
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE VOICE
MUS 66411
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE VIOLIN
MUS 66412
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE VIOLA
MUS 66413
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE CELLO
MUS 66414
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE DOUBLE BASS
MUS 66511
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE FLUTE
MUS 66512
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE OBOE
MUS 66513
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE CLARINET
MUS 66514
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE BASSOON
MUS 66515
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE SAXOPHONE
MUS 66611
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE TRUMPET
MUS 66612
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE HORN
MUS 66613
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE TROMBONE
MUS 66615
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE TUBA
MUS 66711
APPLIED MUSIC-GRADUATE PERCUSSION
Minimum Total Credit Hours:17
1

Students register for 2 credit hours of applied music during the semester in which they register for MUS 68687.

2

In MUS 68687, conductors will do their recital in conducting.

3

MUS 61174 requires a Graduate Theory Placement score of 03. Students who earn a Graduate Theory Placement score of 01 and/or 02 will be required to take independent study on Written Theory Review and/or independent study on Aural Theory Review.

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 Performance - M.M.

Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Music

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Performance - M.M.

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

Musicians and singers

0.9%

little or no change

175,600

number of jobs

$N/A

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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