Music Master's Degree Requirements

Faculty | Master's | Doctoral | Courses

The Master of Music Degree Program

The Department of Music and Dance offers a Master of Music degree with concentrations in: Accompanying, Music History/Musicology; Performance; Theory; Composition; Jazz Composition/Arranging; Music Education/Research; Music Education/Conducting; Music Education/Classroom; or Music Education/Applied. A minimum of 33 hours and a comprehensive oral examination are required in all areas. In addition, majors in vocal performance are required to demonstrate correct diction skills in English, French, German and Italian; one foreign language and a thesis are required in the Music History/Musicology area; a thesis in the Music Theory area; composition projects in Composition areas; and a full recital in the Performance area.

A basic core of courses in music theory and history and ensemble participation is required of all degree candidates. Further hours are required according to the area of concentration; electives are usually possible.

Accompanying applicants are expected to demonstrate a high degree of sight-reading skills at the admissions audition in addition to prepared solos. The 33-hour degree program includes accompanying four recitals, at least two of which must be full recitals.

Admission requirements vary according to the area of concentration. These requirements include: a 30-minute audition for the Performance area; evidence of scholarly research and/or analysis in the Music History/Musicology and Music Theory areas; scores of recent works in the Composition area; and teacher certification, experience, and an interview in the Music Education area. Placement tests in music history and theory, given at the time of audition (or by mail), are also required for admission to any area of concentration. Applicants should write immediately to the Department of Music and Dance for materials which describe admission requirements in detail.

Summer Master's Program

The Music and Dance Department's "4 Summers Master of Music" program in Music Education is designed to serve the needs of K-12 teachers. Students complete a total of 33 credits toward the master's degree over four summers, and candidates may enroll at any time. A fully approved University of Massachusetts master's degree, the summers-only program offers two tracks: M.M./Music Education/Classroom and M.M./Music Education/Research. Two other tracks, M.M./Music Education/Applied Music and M.M./Music Education/Conducting, are available for completion through four summers and some once-per-week study in fall and spring semester. The courses are taught by nationally recognized faculty from the University of Massachusetts Amherst Department of Music and Dance, and from the Five College community, and visiting faculty. For further information, contact Dr. Miriam Whaples, Graduate Program Director, Fine Arts Center, tel. (413) 545-1247, e-mail: whaples@music.umass.edu.