Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 University Catalog 
    
2019-2020 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music, M.M.


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Master of Music and Master of Arts in Music


Two graduate degrees in music are offered in the Department of Music: the Master of Music and the Master of Arts in Music.

Admission to Graduate Standing - Conditionally Classified


Students must meet the CSU requirements for admission to a master’s degree program. Please consult the Graduate Admissions section in this catalog for complete information. All applicants admitted into the music program enter in conditionally classified graduate standing. University requirements include:

  1. a baccalaureate from an accredited institution;
  2. a grade-point average of at least 2.5 in the last 60 semester units attempted;
  3. good standing at the last college attended; and
  4. a minimum TOEFL score of 560 (for international students).

Each applicant must also present satisfactory entrance materials according to the area of specialization (performance, composition, music history/literature, education, piano pedagogy), and pass entrance exams in music theory and music history. A student whose audition is unsatisfactory or who fails to meet satisfactorily the entrance exam requirements shall be removed from “conditionally classified” status.

Application Deadlines


Information regarding deadlines for online applications to the M.A. and M.M. degrees is available at the department website.

Graduate Standing - Classified


A graduate student may apply for classified graduate standing upon attainment of the following prerequisites: (a) complete all requirements for conditionally classified standing as described above; (b) an undergraduate major in music (or the equivalent of a major; i.e., 29 undergraduate upper-division units in music appropriate to the student’s desired graduate emphasis) according to the student’s desired graduate emphasis with a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 in the major; and (c) satisfactorily complete MUS 500 . One objective of MUS 500  is the preparation of a study plan listing all courses required for completion of the degree. This study plan must receive the approval of the Area Coordinator of the student’s area of specialization, the Music Department graduate program adviser, and the Associate Vice President for Academic Programs. Opportunity is given to the student to remove any deficiencies in undergraduate-level preparation. Courses taken to satisfy deficiencies usually will not be included on the student’s study plan and thus will not count toward the master’s degree. Students who do not pass one or more of the entrance examinations shall take and complete specified coursework with a “B” (3.0) or higher or may retake the complete exam at its next administration.

Writing skills will be assessed at entrance using the student’s entrance essay and the essay portion of the music history examination. Those who do not initially possess the expected proficiency will be required to achieve it before taking MUS 500 . This may include taking appropriate coursework stipulated by the Music Department. Writing proficiency will be assessed further in MUS 500 . Completion of MUS 500  with a “B” (3.0) or better satisfies the writing proficiency requirement.

Prospective students must also pass entrance requirements in music theory and music history. The music theory requirement must be met by passing the entrance examination. The music history requirement must be met by passing the entrance examination. The music theory entrance requirement must be satisfied before a student may take coursework for the study plan. The music history entrance requirement must be satisfied before a student may take any 500-level music history seminar.

Master of Music


(30 UNITS)

Applicants to the Master of Music program must have completed either a Bachelor of Music degree in performance or composition, or show evidence of equivalent rigorous training. For the entrance audition, applicants in performance must demonstrate proficiency equivalent to the 400 level, the level expected of a performance major in the Bachelor of Music program at the time of the senior recital; composition applicants must submit a portfolio of scores for examination by the theory-composition faculty. For admission to the programs in choral or instrumental conducting, applicants must show evidence of substantial conducting coursework at the undergraduate level plus practical experience. Further, to audition for entrance into the program, each choral applicant must demonstrate conducting proficiency with a mixed chorus and each instrumental applicant must demonstrate conducting proficiency with a band or orchestra. Choral applicants must also demonstrate basic vocal and keyboard proficiencies and vocal sight reading ability. Under exceptional circumstances, a videotape may be substituted for the live audition.

Study Plan


The Master of Music degree program requires that at least half of the graduate units be 500-level courses. MUS 500  must be taken within the first nine units. Students may choose to perform one or two recitals; those choosing one recital will also write a corollary essay. Under certain circumstances, and with departmental approval, a thesis may be substituted for the recital and written project. Graduate students in string performance are required to participate in orchestra every semester of residency.

Total (30 units)


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