The Natalie L. Haslam College of Music offers a range of Master of Music and Graduate Certificate programs designed to support your artistic, academic, and professional goals. Each program features a structured curriculum that balances core requirements with specialized coursework tailored to your area of study. Use this page to explore the curriculum for your intended degree and understand the academic expectations for each track.
MASTER OF MUSIC
Brass (Performance)
Course Outline
| Description | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Studies in Research Methods and Music Scholarship | MUSC 510 | 3 |
| Music Academic Electives chosen from: | MUCO, MUTH, or MUTC 500-level (excluding MUCO 593) | 6 |
| Applied Music | MUPF 500-level | 8 |
| Special Topics in Performance | MUSC 521 | 3 |
| Instrumental Conducting | MUIN 490 | 3 |
| Ensemble | MUEN 500-level | 4 |
| *Music Elective | 4 | |
| Graduate Recital | MUSC 501 | 2 |
| Total | 33 |
*A maximum of 2 Ensemble hours may be counted as Music Electives.
Students are required to enroll in lessons concurrently with Mus Gen 501 Graduate Recital.
Final Requirements
- Graduate Recital.
- Comprehensive written and oral examinations.
Collaborative Piano
| Description | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Studies in Research Methods and Music Scholarship | MUSC 510 | 3 |
| Coaching and Accompanying | MUPF 551 | 8 |
| Recital Projects | MUKB 531-541 | 4 |
| Song Literature I-II | MUVC 410-420 | 4 |
| Opera Theater | MUEN 540 | 1 |
| Chamber Music Ensemble | MUEN 500-level | 2 |
| *Music Electives | 5 | |
| Academic Electives (excluding MUCO 593) | MUCO/MUTH/MUTC 500-level | 6 |
| Total | 33 |
*A maximum of 2 hours in ensemble may be counted as Music Electives.
All students are required to enroll in Music Ensemble 540 each semester of enrollment in the graduate program in voice. A maximum of 2 hours will be applied toward completion of the degree.
Final Requirements
- Two recital projects.
- Comprehensive written and oral examinations.
Choral Conducting
Course Outline
| Description | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Studies in Research Methods and Music Scholarship | MUSC 510 | 3 |
| Music Academic Electives chosen from: | MUCO, MUTH, or MUTC 500-level (excluding MUCO 593) | 6 |
| Advanced Choral Conducting | MUVC 590 | 8 |
| Choral Literature | MUVC 580-585 | 4 |
| Project in Choral Conducting | MUVC 594 | 2 |
| Ensemble | MUEN 500-level | 4 |
| *Music Electives | 6 | |
| Total | 33 |
*Ensemble hours may not be counted as Music Electives.
Final Requirements
- Project in Choral Conducting Performance (MUVC 594) which serves as the comprehensive exam for graduate choral conducting students.
Composition
Course Outline
Diagnostic examinations in music theory and musicology must be taken by all entering students before registering for courses. If deficiencies are determined, specific courses may be recommended or required.
| Description | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Studies in Research Methods and Music Scholarship | MUSC 510 | 3 |
| Music Academic Electives chosen from: | MUCO, MUTH, or MUTC 500-level (excluding MUCO 593) | 6 |
| Composition | MUPF 594 and 595 | 6 |
| *Thesis | MUSC 500 | 6 |
| **Special Topics in Performance | MUSC 521 | 3 |
| **Graduate Recital | MUSC 501 | 2 |
| ***Music Electives | 4 (project track) / 3 (thesis track) | |
| Choose One | ||
| Analytical Techniques | MUTH 520 | 3 |
| Analytical Techniques of Recent Music | MUTH 521 | 3 |
| Choose One | ||
| Music Theory Pedagogy: Written | MUTH 530 | 3 |
| Music Theory Pedagogy: Aural | MUTH 531 | 3 |
| Theory or Technology Electives – 3 hours chosen from: | ||
| Analytical Techniques | MUTH 520 | 3 |
| Analytical Techniques of Recent Music | MUTH 521 | 3 |
| Music Theory Pedagogy: Written | MUTH 530 | 3 |
| Music Theory Pedagogy: Aural | MUTH 531 | 3 |
| Special Topics in Music Theory | MUTH 551 | 3 |
| Scoring for Film and Media | MUTC 520 | 3 |
| Virtual Audio Modeling | MUTC 530 | 3 |
| ****Computer Music Transcription | MUTC 540 | 3 |
| Computer Projects | MUTC 550 | 3 |
| Independent Study in Music Technology | MUTC 593 | 3 |
| Total | 33 (for both project and thesis tracks) |
*Thesis track only
**Project track only
***A maximum of 2 ensemble hours may be counted as music electives.
****Can be taken for graduate credit only if not already taken at the bachelors level and if the student does not already have a proficiency in a notation program.
Final Requirements
- Comprehensive written and oral examinations.
- Capstone Project chosen from the following options:
- Thesis option and Thesis defense.
- Project option with a lecture-recital or multimedia presentation of the capstone.
Instrumental Conducting – Orchestral
Course Outline
| Description | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Studies in Research Methods and Music Scholarship | MUSC 510 | 3 |
| Music Theory Elective | MUTH 500-level | 3 |
| Analytical Techniques | MUTH 520 | 3 |
| Musicology and Literature 6 chosen from: Band History and Literature I II History of Symphonic Literature Musicology Electives | MUIN 580, MUIN 581 MUCO 430 MUCO 500-level | 6 |
| Advanced Instrumental Conducting | MUIN 590 | 8 |
| Recitative for Instrumental Conductors** | MUIN 583 | 1 |
| Practicum in Instrumental Conducting*** | MUIN 584 | 2 |
| Instrumental Conducting Performance | MUIN 595 | 1 |
| Ensemble | MUEN 500-level | 4 |
| *Music Electives | 3 | |
| Total | 33 |
*Ensemble hours may not be counted as Music Electives.
**Orchestral Track students only
***Wind Conducting Track students are required to take 2 semesters of Mus Inst 584
Final Requirements
- Orchestral Conducting Performance.
- Comprehensive written and oral examinations.
Instrumental Conducting – Wind/Band
Course Outline
| Description | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Studies in Research Methods and Music Scholarship | MUSC 510 | 3 |
| Music Academic Electives chosen from: | MUCO, MUTH, or MUTC 500-level (excluding MUCO 593) | 6 |
| Music Academic Electives chosen from: | MUED, MUCO, MUTH, or MUTC 500-level (excluding MUCO 593) | 3 |
| Band History and Literature | MUIN 580 | 3 |
| Wind Conducting Seminar | MUIN 582 | 8 |
| Advanced Instrumental (orchestral focus) Conducting | MUVC 590 or MUIN 590 | 2 |
| Instrumental Conducting Performance | MUIN 595 | 1 |
| Ensemble | MUEN 500-level | 4 |
| *Music Electives | 3 | |
| Total | 33 |
*Ensemble hours may not be counted as Music Electives.
Final Requirements
Comprehensive written and oral examinations.
Instrumental Conducting Performance.
Jazz Studies
Course Outline
| Description | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Music Bibliography | MUSC 510 | 3 |
| Music Theory Elective | MUTH 500-level | 3 |
| Musicology Elective | MUCO 500-level | 3 |
| Improvisation | MUPF 599 | 6-8 |
| Applied Music | MUPF 500-level | 2-0 |
| Seminar in Jazz | MUJZ 520 | 3 |
| Ensemble (Jazz) | MUEN 500-level | 4 |
| Technology – 3 hours chosen from: | ||
| Computer Music Transcription Scoring for Film and Media Virtual Audio Modeling | MUTC 540 MUTC 520 MUTC 530 | 3 3 3 |
| *Music Electives | 4 | |
| Graduate Recital | MUSC 501 | 2 |
| Total | 33 |
*Ensemble hours may not be counted as Music Electives.
Students are required to enroll in lessons concurrently with Mus Gen 501 Graduate Recital.
Final Requirements
- Graduate Recital.
- Comprehensive written and oral examinations.
Music Education (Fifth-Year Track)
Course Outline
| Description | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Studies in Research Methods and Music Scholarship | MUSC 510 | 3 |
| Academic Electives (excluding MUCO 593) | MUCO/MUTH/MUTC 500-level | 6 |
| Music Education Electives (chosen from list below) | MUED Electives | 4 |
| Foundations of Music Education | MUED 510 | 3 |
| Analysis of Teaching for Professional Development | MUED 574 | 2 |
| Clinical Studies | MUED 591 | 4 |
| Internship | MUED 575 | 12 (8,4) |
| Total | 34 |
Music Education Electives (options)
- MUED 520 Research in Music Education (3)
- MUVC 590 – Advanced Choral Conducting (with instructor permission) (3-4)
- MUED 550 Curriculum Development and Evaluation (3)
- MUED 580 Seminar in Music Education (3)
- MUED 590 Special Topics in Music Education
- MUED 593 Special Problems in Music Education (3)
- MUTC 540 Computer Music Transcription (3)
- MUIN 580 Band History and Literature (3)
The internship year will consist of the following:
- MUED 575 Internship (12)
- MUED 574 Analysis of Teaching (2)
- MUED 591 Clinical Studies (3)
- Music Education course work (6)
Final Requirements
- Comprehensive written and oral examinations.
- Thesis (thesis students only).
- Thesis defense (thesis students only).
Music Education (Instrumental Track)
Course Outline
| Description | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Studies in Research Methods and Music Scholarship | MUSC 510 | 3 |
| Academic Electives (excluding MUCO 593) | MUCO/MUTH/MUTC 500-level | 6 |
| Foundations of Music Education | MUED 510 | 3 |
| Research in Music Education | MUED 520 | 3 |
| Instrumental Conducting | MUIN 490 | 3 |
| Music Electives (chosen from list below) | 6 | |
| Applied Music | MUPF 400 or 500-level | 2 |
| Ensemble | MUEN 500-level | 2 |
| Thesis* | MUSC 500 | 6 |
| Total | 34 |
*One of the following may be taken in lieu of the thesis:
- Conducting recital (2 hours) and four additional hours in Music Education, OR
- A research problem in Music Education (3 hours), and three additional hours in Music Education.
Music Education Electives (options)
- MUED 550 Curriculum Development and Evaluation (3)
- MUED 580 Seminar in Music Education (3)
- MUED 590 Special Topics in Music Education (3)
- MUED 593 Special Problems in Music Education (3)
- MUIN 580 Band History and Literature (3)
- MUTC 540 Computer Music Transcription (3)
Final Requirements
- Comprehensive written and oral examinations.
- Thesis (thesis students only).
- Thesis defense (thesis students only).
Music Education (Vocal Track)
Course Outline
| Description | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Studies in Research Methods and Music Scholarship | MUSC 510 | 3 |
| Academic Electives (excluding MUCO 593) | MUCO/MUTH/MUTC 500-level | 6 |
| Foundations of Music Education | MUED 510 | 3 |
| Research in Music Education | MUED 520 | 3 |
| Music Electives (chosen from list below) | 12 | |
| Thesis* | MUSC 500 | 6 |
| Total | 33 |
*One of the following may be taken in lieu of the thesis:
- Conducting recital (2 hours) and four additional hours in Music Education, OR
- A research problem in Music Education (3 hours), and three additional hours in Music Education.
Music Education Electives (options)
- MUED 560 – Advanced Studies in General Music (3)
- MUED 570 – Studies in Multicultural Music (3)
- MUED 580 – Seminar in Music Education (3)
- MUED 590 – Special Topics in Music Education (3)
- MUTC 540 – Computer Music Transcription (3)
- MUVC 580 – Choral Literature I (3)
- MUVC 585 – Choral Literature II (3)
- MUVC 590 – Advanced Choral Conducting (with instructor permission) (3-4)
- 500-level ensemble (1-2)
Final Requirements
- Comprehensive written and oral examinations.
- Thesis.
- Thesis defense.
Musicology
Course Outline
| Description | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Studies in Research Methods and Music Scholarship | MUSC 510 | 3 |
| Music Theory Elective | MUTH 500-level | 3 |
| Intro to Ethnomusicology | MUCO 590 | 3 |
| Thesis | MUSC 500 | 6 |
| Musicology Electives | MUCO 400-500 levels | 9 |
| Music Electives* | 7 | |
| Ensemble | MUEN 500-level | 2 |
| Total | 33 |
* At least one credit of music electives must be in non-musicology courses
Candidates must pass a foreign language reading proficiency examination before being admitted to candidacy. Any language other than English is acceptable. A maximum of 2 ensemble hours may be counted as Music Electives.
Graduate students in the Musicology concentration are limited to a total of two failed attempts at graduate-level musicology courses, including those attempts that end in withdrawal from a course.
Final Requirements
- Comprehensive written and oral examinations.
- Thesis.
- Thesis defense.
Organ (Performance)
Course Outline
| Description | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Studies in Research Methods and Music Scholarship | MUSC 510 | 3 |
| Music Academic Electives chosen from: | MUCO, MUTH, or MUTC 500-level (excluding MUCO 593) | 6 |
| Organ | MUPF 590 | 8 |
| Organ Literature Seminar | MUKB 560 | 3 |
| Ensemble | MUEN 500-level | 2 |
| *Music Elective | 9 | |
| Graduate Recital | MUSC 501 | 2 |
| Total | 33 |
*A maximum of 2 Ensemble hours may be counted as Music Electives.
Students are required to enroll in lessons concurrently with Mus Gen 501 Graduate Recital.
Final Requirements
- Graduate Recital.
- Comprehensive written and oral examinations.
Percussion (Performance)
Course Outline
| Description | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Studies in Research Methods and Music Scholarship | MUSC 510 | 3 |
| Music Academic Electives chosen from: | MUCO, MUTH, or MUTC 500-level (excluding MUCO 593) | 6 |
| Applied Percussion | MUPF 550 | 8 |
| Percussion History & Literature Seminar | MUPR 520, 521 | 4 |
| Percussion Pedagogy Seminar | MUPR 530, 531 | 4 |
| Ensemble | MUEN 500 level | 2 |
| Percussion Ensemble | MUEN 510 | 4 |
| Graduate Recital | MUSC 501 | 2 |
| Total | 33 |
Students are required to enroll in lessons concurrently with Mus Gen 501 Graduate Recital.
Final Requirements
- Graduate Recital.
- Comprehensive written and oral examinations.
Piano (Performance)
Course Outline
| Description | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Studies in Research Methods and Music Scholarship | MUSC 510 | 3 |
| Music Academic Electives chosen from: | MUCO, MUTH, or MUTC 500-level (excluding MUCO 593) | 6 |
| Piano | MUPF 580 | 8 |
| Piano Literature Seminar | MUKB 520 | 6 |
| Advanced Piano Pedagogy | MUKB 540 or 550 | 2 |
| Ensemble | MUEN 500 level | 2 |
| *Music Elective | 4 | |
| Graduate Recital | MUSC 501 | 2 |
| Total | 33 |
*A maximum of 2 Ensemble hours may be counted as Music Electives.
Students are required to enroll in lessons concurrently with Mus Gen 501 Graduate Recital.
Final Requirements
- Graduate Recital.
- Comprehensive written and oral examinations.
Strings (Performance)
Course Outline
| Description | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Studies in Research Methods and Music Scholarship | MUSC 510 | 3 |
| Music Academic Electives chosen from: | MUCO, MUTH, or MUTC 500-level (excluding MUCO 593) | 6 |
| Applied Music | MUPF 500-level | 8 |
| Special Topics in Performance | MUSC 521 | 3 |
| Instrumental Conducting | MUIN 490 | 3 |
| Ensemble | MUEN 500-level | 4 |
| *Music Elective | 4 | |
| Graduate Recital | MUSC 501 | 2 |
| Total | 33 |
*A maximum of 2 Ensemble hours may be counted as Music Electives.
Students are required to enroll in lessons concurrently with Mus Gen 501 Graduate Recital.
Final Requirements
- Graduate Recital.
- Comprehensive written and oral examinations.
Theory
Course Outline
| Description | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Studies in Research Methods and Music Scholarship | MUSC 510 | 3 |
| Music Academic Electives chosen from: | MUCO, MUTH, or MUTC 500-level (excluding MUCO 593) | 6 |
| Theory Courses: 15 hours | ||
| Analysis: 6 hours: | ||
| Analytical Techniques | MUTH 520 | 3 |
| Analytical Techniques of Recent Music | MUTH 521 | 3 |
| Pedagogy: 3 hours chosen from: | ||
| Music Theory Pedagogy: Written skills | MUTH 530 | 3 |
| Music Theory Pedagogy: Aural Skills | MUTH 531 | 3 |
| Technology: 3 hours chosen from: | ||
| Scoring for Film and Media | MUTC 520 | 3 |
| Virtual Audio Modeling | MUTC 530 | 3 |
| Computer Music Transcription* | MUTC 540 | 3 |
| Computer Projects | MUTC 550 | 3 |
| Independent Study in Music Technology | MUTC 593 | 3 |
| Theory Electives: 3 hours chosen from: | ||
| Analytical Techniques | MUTH 520 | 3 |
| Analytical Techniques of Recent Music | MUTH 521 | 3 |
| Music Theory Pedagogy: Written skills | MUTH 530 | 3 |
| Music Theory Pedagogy: Aural Skills | MUTH 531 | 3 |
| Music Theory Practicum | MUTH 590 | 1 |
| Special Topics in Music Theory | MUTH 551 | 3 |
| Thesis* | MUSC 500 | 6 |
| Non-Theory Music Electives** | 3 | |
| Total | 33 |
*Can be taken for graduate credit only if not already taken at the bachelors level and if the student does not already has a proficiency in a notation program.
**A maximum of 2 ensemble hours may be counted as music electives.
Counterpoint will be recommended to those students who have not taken a counterpoint class at the undergraduate level.
Note: A course cannot be taken for a requirement and for an elective. Requirements and electives must be two different courses.
Final Requirements
- Comprehensive written and oral examinations.
- The completion of two scholarly papers (suggested: 5-8k words) on research topics related to music theory. Each paper must be completed as part of credits achieved through the two, 3-credit thesis (MUSC 500) courses. The two papers need not be entirely new research topics; they may stem from course papers or independent study projects.
- The successful presentation of one of these scholarly papers.
Voice (Performance)
Course Outline
| Description | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Studies in Research Methods and Music Scholarship | MUSC 510 | 3 |
| Music Academic Electives chosen from: | MUCO, MUTH, or MUTC 500-level (excluding MUCO 593) | 6 |
| Voice | MUPF 555 | 8 |
| Vocal Literature Seminar | MUVC 510 | 4 |
| Advanced Vocal Pedagogy I-II | MUVC 550-560 | 4 |
| Ensemble | MUEN 540 | 2 |
| Performance Techniques for Singers | MUVC 520 | 4 |
| Graduate Recital | MUSC 501 | 2 |
| Total | 33 |
*A maximum of 2 hours in Ensemble may be counted as a Music Elective. Music Elective must include a chamber recital or a major operatic role.
Students are required to enroll in lessons concurrently with Mus Gen 501 Graduate Recital.
All students are required to enroll in Music Ensemble 540 each semester of enrollment in the graduate program in voice. A maximum of 2 hours will be applied toward completion of the degree.
Final Requirements
- Graduate Recital.
- Comprehensive written and oral examinations.
Winds (Performance)
Course Outline
| Description | Course Name | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Studies in Research Methods and Music Scholarship | MUSC 510 | 3 |
| Music Academic Electives chosen from: | MUCO, MUTH, or MUTC 500-level (excluding MUCO 593) | 6 |
| Applied Music | MUPF 500-level | 8 |
| Special Topics in Performance | MUSC 521 | 3 |
| Instrumental Conducting | MUIN 490 | 3 |
| Ensemble | MUEN 500-level | 2 |
| *Music Elective | 6 | |
| Graduate Recital | MUSC 501 | 2 |
| Total | 33 |
* A maximum of 3 ensemble hours may be counted as Music Electives.
Students are required to enroll in lessons concurrently with Mus Gen 501 Graduate Recital.
Final Requirements
- Graduate Recital.
- Comprehensive written and oral examinations.
Graduate Certificate Programs
- Artist Certificate in Brass Performance
- Artist Certificate in Keyboard Performance
- Artist Certificate in Percussion Performance
- Artist Certificate in String Performance
- Artist Certificate in Voice Performance
- Artist Certificate in Woodwind Performance
- Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy
- Music Theory Pedagogy Graduate Certificate