About This Program

The objective of the Master of Music in Music Theory is to foster the analytical and research skills necessary for students to move on to further studies in Music Theory and/or careers as teachers of Music Theory at the collegiate level. Through further education, degree students will become more capable and confident music theorists, able to pursue further graduate work or enter the field as pedagogues.

This program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Competencies

1. Upon completion, students will be able to perform and/or teach at the community college level or above in their primary field of specialty.
2. Upon completion, students will be prepared for further academic study in their primary field at the doctoral level.
3. Upon completion, students will be prepared for advanced research and academic writing in the field of music theory.

 
 

Admissions Criteria

Unconditional Admission

1. Bachelor’s degree in music or its demonstrated equivalent (such as a music conservatory degree).
2. Three letters of recommendation are required, speaking to the student’s potential for success from references familiar with the student’s academic background.
3. A minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work as calculated by the Graduate Admissions.
4. Submitted application to the Department of Music (see the departmental website for more information).
5. A portfolio of works, to include at least two (2) but not more than four (4) scores and recordings representing the applicant’s best work. At least two of these should be in the jazz genre. Live recordings are preferred; MIDI recordings are discouraged but will be accepted as a last resort. At least one of the works should be scored for a large jazz ensemble (ten or more performers). Links to both scores and audio files housed online for the included pieces (via SoundCloud, DropBox, etc.) should be sent in an email to the graduate advisor. Please do not attach the files in the email.
6. Samples of writing (minimum 2; at least 1 should have substantial analytical content).
7. Statement of purpose (max. 250 words).
8. Applicants will undergo a transcript review upon admission.  Students needing remedial work will be required to enroll in MUSI 5301 FORM AND STYLE ANALYSIS and/or MUSI 5354 SELECTED TOPICS IN MUSIC LITERATURE, as appropriate.*

* Piano Proficiency exam will be administered before, and as a condition of, graduation from the Masters program. Students are encouraged to enroll in Keyboard lessons as appropriate to prepare for these.  

All admission criteria will be considered equally. Students meeting all the criteria, plus any track-specific requirements, will be granted unconditional admission.

Probationary Status

A student showing a deficiency in any of the above criteria and showing promise for successful graduate study may still be admitted on a probationary basis upon the recommendation of the Graduate Studies Committee. The conditions of the probation will be outlined in the letter of admission. (The Music Department does not have the authority to lower University TOEFL score requirements for any student.)

Provisional Admission

An applicant unable to supply all required documentation prior to the admission deadline but who otherwise appears to meet admission requirements may be granted provisional admission.

Denied Admission

An applicant can be denied admission based on the recommendation of the Graduate Studies Committee. Applicants may reapply for admission if the deficiencies in credentials that led to denial are remedied.

Deferred Admission

A deferred decision may be granted when a file is incomplete or when a denied decision is not appropriate.

Tracks are offered in Music Performance, Jazz Studies, Jazz Composition, Music Theory, and Conducting. The program is designed for the student who has a Bachelor’s degree in music.

TOEFL Requirement

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in English by earning a total score of at least 79 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based examination (TOEFL iBT).

Those who do not meet the English proficiency requirement must satisfactorily complete courses in the ESOL area, as approved by the program and Graduate Admissions.

Advisory examinations in music history and written theory may be administered to all students prior to enrollment or during their first semester as a degree-seeking student.

Curriculum

Foundations
MUSI 5150	PEDAGOGY IN MUSIC THEORY	1
MUSI 5308	MUSIC HISTORY SELECTED TOPICS	3
MUSI 5362	INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH IN MUSIC	3
MUSI 5390	LINEAR ANALYSIS	3
Specialization
Select 6 hours from the following:		6
MUSI 5305	HISTORY OF MUSIC THEORY
MUSI 5308	MUSIC HISTORY SELECTED TOPICS (may be counted once as an elective if core requirement is met and the course is taken with a different emphasis)
MUSI 5347	PRIVATE LESSONS IN COMPOSITION
MUSI 5360	ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY FOR MUSICIANS
MUSI 5365	MEANING & REPRESENTATION IN MUSIC
Select 9 hours from the following:		9
MUSI 5302	THEORY & COMPOSITION SPECIAL TOPICS
MUSI 5303	ADVANCED COUNTERPOINT
MUSI 5349	FORMAL-FUNCTION THEORY
MUSI 5388	20TH CENTURY FORM & TECHNIQUE
MUSI 5389	POST-TONAL ANALYSIS
MUSI 5392	ADVANCED SONATA THEORY
Select 3 hours from the following (may be repeated):		3
MUSI 51XX or 52XX (Applied Lessons)
MUSI 51XX (Major Ensemble)
MUSI 5112	CHAMBER MUSIC
MUSI 5698	THESIS	6
Total Hours		34

Program Completion

Final Project

The final project requirement is the Thesis, which demonstrates advanced competence in theoretical research and writing, is completed over two semesters (MUSI 5398 and 5698) and culminates in the Thesis defense and a public, conference-style presentation to the faculty and students.

A final program examination is required of all Master of Music degree candidates. A final Master’s examination may result in:

1. An unconditional pass with a recommendation to the Graduate Dean that the candidate be certified to receive the degree.
2. A conditional pass with the requirement that additional conditions be met, which may include further work on the thesis or thesis substitute, additional coursework with a minimum specified grade point average or both (in all cases the final master’s examination must be repeated within a specified period).
3. Failure, with permission to be re-examined within a specified period; or
4. Failure, with recommendation to the Dean of Graduate Studies that the candidate be dismissed from the program. The Music Department limits to 2 the number of times the examination can be taken.

Advising Resources

All UTA Music Degrees require an audition for Music Department acceptance.  First time in college students may contact the Music Department advisor for general degree information and will be advised in the department starting their second semester. Transfer students should contact the Music Department Advisor prior to acceptance for general degree information and again following a successful audition for acceptance into the UTA Music Department for academic advising and clearance to enroll.  Students interested in the Music Minor should contact the Music Department advisor for the Minor course sheet, and Minor approval form, and may do so at any time in the semester.

Location:

Fine Arts 101C

Email:

Undergraduate: music@uta.edu

Graduate: musicgradadvisor@uta.edu

Phone:

817-272-3471

Web:

Degree information, Forms, and Advising