Music MA

Total Credits - 32+

• MUCT 535 - Analytical Techniques I Credits: 2
• MUCT 536 - Analytical Techniques II Credits: 2
• 2 credits of 500-level MUED course in Music Education Credits:2-3
• 1 credit of  MUED 648 - Workshop Credits: 1–3
• MUED 655 - Practical Training Credits: 0
• MUHL 519 - Studies in 20th Century Music Credits: 2
• 4 credits of  MUHL 524 - Music Literature Seminar Credits: 2 (two times with different content)
• MUHL 670 - Comprehensive Exam Credits: 0
• MUHL 695 - Bibliography and Research in Music Credits: 2
• 2 credits of  MUPF 500 - Applied Music Study in Private Lessons (for music non-performance majors) Credits: 1,2

Additional Requirements

• Practical Training:
  • All students pursuing master’s programs (MA: Music, MMus: Conducting; MMus: Music Education; MMus: Music Ministry; MMus: Performance) are required to take the course MUED 655 Practical Training to develop professional experience in music. To fulfill this requirement, students are required to meet a minimum of 50 hours of work/service while enrolled in the master’s program. This could be done over the summer. Some recommended areas of work/service that may count toward this practical training experience are as follows:
    • Music ministers in church settings
    • Music teachers or instructors for a public or private school
    • Instrumentalists performing in professional or community ensembles
    • Research assistants in approved music research projects
    • Other alternative activities must be approved by the student’s major professor
  • After completing this requirement students will fill out and submit the form Completion of Practical Training Requirements to their major professor for evaluation and signature. Students who have developed experiences equivalent to this practical training before entering the master’s program may fulfill this requirement by submitting appropriate evidence showing sufficient work/ service experience.
• Ensemble:
  • 4 semesters of ensemble for 0 credits each
  • Registration is required for four semesters in one of the following: any Andrews University Department of Music band, choir or orchestra.
  • Students who require more than four semesters to complete their degree must participate in an ensemble during each semester of residence.
  • Keyboard students in the MA and MMus (Music Education) programs are required to enroll for one semester of MUPF 505 Keyboard Accompaniment or one semester of MUPF 510 Collaborative Piano. This may apply as one of the minimum four semesters of ensemble.
  • Performance majors in piano and organ are required to enroll for one semester of MUPF 510 Collaborative Piano and one semester of MUPF 515 Recital Accompaniment and may apply these towards the minimum four semesters of ensemble.
• Piano Proficiency:
  • Music majors must pass a piano proficiency examination. Graduate students who have not passed this examination on the undergraduate level must take the examination prior to the first registration. Students who do not pass this examination must enroll in applied piano until the examination is passed.
• Comprehensive Examinations:
  • All graduate students in music take the course MUHL 670 Comprehensive Exam toward the end of their studies. Students should consult with their advisor concerning the appropriate time to apply for these examinations and for guidance in preparing for them. 

Maintaining Active Status

After completing all course requirements, all graduate music students must maintain an active status continuous enrollment for both Fall and Spring semesters until the degree is granted. This is accomplished by enrolling in MUHL 665 Comprehensive Exam Preparation (non-repeatable with fee attached), MUHL 670 Comprehensive Exam (non-repeatable), or MUHL 655 Program Continuation (repeatable with fee attached) until the degree is earned. A student who fails to maintain continuous enrollment as defined here, will not be allowed to finish their degree requirements until he/she applies to the Department of Music for degree reactivation and pays the established fees for each semester of absence in the program. The reactivation fee used will be the latest AU Bulletin fee listed for MUHL 655 Program Continuation.

Admission Requirements

• General requirements for admission to graduate study as stated in the Admissions section of this bulletin.
• Musicians with various backgrounds often qualify to study music at the graduate level. Normally, a baccalaureate degree with a major in music is required; however, the following categories may also qualify.

1. Students with an earned baccalaureate degree within any major, assuming adequate undergraduate preparation in music. Adequate preparation includes mastery of music theory equivalent to content of MUCT242 Music Theory IV and MUCT153 Ear Training Laboratory III; mastery of music history equivalent to content of MUHL446-448 Music Literature and Style (Antiquity to 20th Century); and mastery of level of performance appropriate to the specific chosen master’s program.
2. Students who have completed programs comparable to the baccalaureate degree from non-United States institutions.

• The Department of Music requires placement examinations in music history and literature, music theory, piano proficiency, and an audition in the major area of performance for all entering students prior to registration. Admission status is provisional until these examinations are completed and any deficiencies removed. Courses used to make up for a deficiency may be taken for graduate credit but may not count for graduate requirements; a minimum grade of B must be earned.
• A Graduate Scholarship Tuition Reduction is available to students with a minimum GRE Exam score of 297 (quantitative + verbal) or Music Placement Exam average score of 70.

Language Proficiency. For admission to the Master of Music: Performance (voice performance specialization), language proficiency is required in French, German, and Italian. Proficiency in these languages can be validated by evidence of coursework in each of these languages equivalent to two semesters of college level study, or by passing a language proficiency exam. Lack of proficiency in these three languages can be addressed by taking additional remedial coursework. Remedial coursework does not count toward completion of the graduate degree.

Non-degree (Guest) Students. A student who plans to study music under this classification may be admitted to courses as approved by the department chair.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will:

• Exhibit advanced technical and artistic skills in their area of expertise.
• Learn and apply pedagogical methods, techniques, and tools related to their area of expertise, as appropriate to their degree track.
• Demonstrate their understanding of music history – including the development of musical styles and the contextual forces that have influenced and shaped their development, primarily in the Western art music tradition.
• Demonstrate advanced proficiency in the theoretical foundations of Western music through aural skills, analysis, and understanding of historical context.
• Demonstrate astute skills in music research and writing.
• Hone critical thinking skills by:
  • Responding to scholarly research both orally and in written form.
  • Preparing informed musical performances (or compositions) based on their theoretical and historical understanding of the repertoire.
  • Preparing and bringing to completion their capstone.