Graduate Bulletin

Music Theory, M.M.

Center for the Arts / BOYER COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DANCE

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: January 7

Spring: December 1

Decisions regarding admission are rendered after all required credentials have been submitted and the admissions application is complete.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Letters of Reference:

Number Required: 2

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from evaluators who can provide insight into the applicant's abilities, talents, and aptitude for graduate study.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:

All applicants must present credentials that are the equivalent of the appropriate Bachelor of Music degree at Temple University, which is based on a curriculum of 124 to 135 hours.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

A degree in Music is expected.

Statement of Goals:

The Statement of Goals should include your special interests within the discipline and expectations for the program.

Standardized Test Scores:

Minimum TOEFL score needed to be accepted: 79 iBT or 550 PBT.

Resume:

A resume is required.

Writing Sample:

An applicant must submit with the application for admission an undergraduate-level paper demonstrating her/his ability to do musical analysis and/or report research. The applicant must submit an assignment of:

1. A compositional nature, such as counterpoint, a figured bass, a harmonized melody, an original composition, or the like.
2. An analytical nature, such as a formal analysis, a harmonic analysis, a pitch-class set analysis, or the like.

Transfer Credit:

A student who wishes to transfer credit should speak with her/his academic advisor and obtain a Request for Transfer of Graduate Credit form, available at: www.temple.edu/grad/forms. Transfer credits must be approved by the advisor, the department chair, and the Associate Dean. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 6.

Other:

Due to the large number of applications for admission and the competitive nature of its music programs, the College admits only a portion of its applicants. In addition to the general admissions credentials required of all Temple University graduate applicants, specialized admission criteria (i.e., auditions, portfolios, interviews, recommendations, departmental term papers, and standardized examinations) are very heavily weighted in admission decisions of the Boyer College of Music and Dance. Graduate applicants may be rejected for admission for failing to obtain the required level of proficiency in any one area of the specialized admission criteria regardless of the level of success in meeting the Temple University general admission criteria. In addition to the level of success demonstrated in the above-mentioned criteria, a final admission factor is the College's Optimum Enrollment Policy. This Policy may preclude the admission of any student who meets the minimum requirements.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 31

Required Courses (19 s.h.):

MUST 8701:  Research in Music (3)

MUST 8713:  Canon and Fugue (3)

MUST 8742:  Seminar in Theoretical Analysis: Post-Tonal Music (3)

MUST 8742:  Seminar in Theoretical Analysis: Schenkerian Analysis (3)

MUST 8749:  Current Topics in Musicology and Theory (3)

MUST 9996:  Final Written Project: Music Theory (1)

1 course involving Music and Technology (3 s.h.)

Electives (12 s.h.) selected from Music, Music Education, Music Studies, and other graduate departments, depending on the research interests of the student. One graduate course in Music History is strongly recommended. Advisor approval required.

All degree credits are to be earned at Temple University.

Internship: No internship is required.

Language Examination: A language examination is required. Students must pass an exam in a foreign language. French and German are strongly recommended, but a different language is possible with approval of the division coordinator. The exam is waived for students who had 2 years of a foreign language as an undergraduate, or for students who reached the final semester of a foreign language as an undergraduate.

Additional Requirements:

Diagnostic Examinations:

All entering Master of Music students are required to take Diagnostic Examinations in Harmony, Counterpoint, Aural Skills, and Music History prior to the first semester of graduate study. The purpose of these examinations is to determine weaknesses in undergraduate preparation. Depending on the examination results, students may be required to take one or more remedial courses. In these instances, the remedial courses will be graded on a "Credit / No Credit" basis and the official university transcript will indicate "CR" (for "Credit," meaning that the deficiency has been satisfied) or "NC" (for "No Credit," meaning that the deficiency has not been satisfied). Students must have a "B-" or better average in any remedial course or section thereof to earn the grade of "Credit" and to satisfy the requirement. Students who earn a grade of "NC" (that is, having a class average below "B-") must retake that course or section until an average of "B-" or higher is achieved and a grade of "CR" is recorded on the official university transcript. Remedial courses are offered for undergraduate credit only, and may not count toward graduate degree requirements.

1. All entering M.M. students must take the Diagnostic Examination in Harmony, Counterpoint, and Aural Skills prior to the first semester of graduate study unless conditions for exemption have been met (see below). Students may take the test only once, and if they do not pass the test or any portion thereof, they must enroll in the remedial course(s) during their first semester of study. Depending on which section(s) of the examination are failed, the examiners will stipulate which sections of remedial coursework the student must take. The courses are MUST 5001: Diatonic Harmony Review, MUST 5002: Chromatic Harmony Review, MUST 5003: Counterpoint Review, and MUST 5004: Graduate Aural Theory Review.

2. All entering M.M. students are required to take the Diagnostic Examination in Music History prior to registering for their first semester of graduate study unless conditions for exemption have been met (see below). If the student is unsuccessful in passing any portion of the Music History examination, the student may select one of two options:

Option A entails registering to take MUST 5005: Music History Review for 1 to 5 undergraduate credits, with 1 credit assigned to each of the following five periods: Renaissance, Baroque, Classic, Romantic, and Twentieth Century. Students may register for a maximum of 3 credits of MUST 5005 in any semester; thus, it is possible to extend the remediation over two semesters.

Option B entails the student's studying independently and retaking the failed sections of the examination at the end of the first semester of study. Students may retake the examination only once, and if any section is failed a second time, they must take the assigned remedial sections in their second semester of study.

3. Conditions for Exemption: The requirement to take the Diagnostic Examination in any area is waived only for graduates of the Boyer College of Music and Dance who (a) matriculate and enroll in the semester immediately following completion of all undergraduate degree requirements; and (b) received grades of "B-" or better in every undergraduate course taken in each individual examination area to be waived.

Keyboard Examination:

This exam is scheduled by the student with a member of the Music Theory faculty. Although it can be scheduled at any time, the student is strongly encouraged to complete the exam in the first year of study. Students prepare the following:

1. Score reading of the exposition of the first movement of an 18th-century
symphony.

2. A simple lied accompaniment.

3. A Bach chorale.

4. A figured bass.

Professional Development Policy:

In addition to taking the required subjects for their degrees, all students in the Boyer College of Music and Dance are obligated to serve in a number of capacities in order to enrich their academic and musical expertise. Boyer College of Music and Dance believes that such experiences give impetus to successful professional careers. Among the duties that may be required are conducting laboratory classes; tutoring; teaching private lessons; coaching; participating in the distribution and inventory control of Temple University-owned musical instruments and instructional materials; participating in ensembles; accompanying; performing at admissions and open house events; supervising performance classes; and engaging in other academic activities.

Independent Study Courses:

Independent study courses provide a special opportunity for graduate students to work in a highly individualized setting with one or more faculty members. All such study must receive the approval of the faculty member providing the instruction, the students' major advisor, and the Associate Dean. Approval will be granted only after the student has presented a detailed description of the intended independent study project. Approval of independent study projects will be granted only for students whose academic and musical record provides substantial support for the benefits of this type of study. In no case may more than 20% of a graduate student's curriculum be taken as independent study. Private lessons beyond those required in the curriculum are not an appropriate form of independent study.

Acceptable English:

All students, including those for whom English is not the native language, are expected to present all written work in acceptable English. No double standard exists to differentiate students on the basis of proficiency in the use of the English language. Students are also responsible for becoming familiar with the College's statement on plagiarism and academic honesty.

Applied Music Study:

1. Graduate students in non-performing curricula may take up to 6 credits of applied study toward the degree with the permission of the major advisor. Such non-required lessons may be taken only if the student can pass the normal graduate-level performing audition expected of performance majors. In this event, a fee of $200, not covered by tuition remission, is charged.

2. Regardless of major, graduate students with a demonstrable performing proficiency that may not meet the more rigorous requirements of a graduate-level audition may, by audition, qualify to take 2 credits of applied study per semester for graduate credit. These courses carry a fee of $400 plus tuition and may be applied to the non-performing curriculum for degree credit. Up to 6 credits may be taken with the approval of the major advisor.

3. Graduate assistantships and other forms of University-sponsored financial aid do not cover private lesson or Recital Extension fees.

Incompletes:

All incomplete grades and keyboard proficiencies must be fulfilled by the first day of the month in which the student expects to graduate.

Culminating Events:

Comprehensive Examination:

This four-hour written examination includes two lists: one of terms to identify, and the second of music theorists to describe and explain. The examination also requires short essay answers about current theory and an analysis of a work provided. Students should contact the Associate Dean of the Boyer College of Music and Dance in writing at least one month before the scheduled date of the examination. This exam is generally given in the first week of April. Scheduled by Assistant Dean David Brown, the exam is graded by two members of the department’s graduate faculty.

Final Written Project:

Music Theory majors write a final written project (MUST 9996:  Final Written Project: Music Theory) -- not a thesis -- that is 30-40 pages in length. Students choose an advisor, who approves the topic of the project in Music Theory. Students are strongly encouraged to begin their final project no later than the beginning of the second year of study and complete the project in their final semester of study. The completed final project must be approved by the advisor and a second reader, generally a faculty member in Music Studies.

Contacts

Program Contact Information:

www.temple.edu/boyer/

Department Information:

Dept. of Music Theory
Boyer College of Music and Dance
2001 North 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
michael.klein@temple.edu
215-204-8322

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

James Short
jshort@temple.edu
215-204-8598

Program Coordinator:

Professor Michael Klein
michael.klein@temple.edu
215-204-8322

Graduate Chairperson:

Professor Michael Klein
michael.klein@temple.edu
215-204-8322

Chairperson:

Professor Michael Klein
michael.klein@temple.edu
215-204-8322

About the Program

The Master of Music in Music Theory provides a comprehensive collection of courses designed to develop skills in the areas of music theory research, music analysis, and musical composition.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 6 years

Campus Location:

Main

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered before and after 4:30 p.m. Students are also able to complete the degree program on a part-time basis (8 credit hours or less per semester).

Department Information:

Dept. of Music Theory
Boyer College of Music and Dance
2001 North 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
michael.klein@temple.edu
215-204-8322

Interdisciplinary Study:

Not applicable.

Affiliation(s):

Not applicable.

Study Abroad:

No.

Ranking:

Boyer College of Music and Dance has been ranked among the top 30 music schools in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

Accreditation:

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

Areas of Specialization:

The master's program in Music Theory is organized into a series of small seminars, with an emphasis on developing strong analytical skills and the application of music theory in the academic environment. The program's primary purpose is to prepare majors for further academic studies at the doctoral level.

Job Placement:

The program prepares students for various careers related to music, and for further academic and musical training at the doctoral level.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy:

With permission from the Dean's Office, individuals may be granted permission to enter the College as a non-matriculated student, taking up to 9 graduate credits (excluding private lessons) before applying for admission to a program.

Financing Opportunities

Boyer College of Music and Dance offers a number of assistantships and academic internships to matriculated graduate students. Full awards carry a cash stipend plus full tuition remission for the Fall and Spring semesters. Partial awards also are available in values of 1/4 or 1/2 of a full award. Duties for assistantships and internships vary, but typically include teaching, tutoring, classroom assistance, research, artistic performance, and/or direct service related to academic programs. Applicants must submit an assistantship/internship application by March 1 to obtain priority consideration for an award. Applications are available online at the Graduate Financial Aid page of Boyer's website. Typically these awards are made only in the Fall semester for up to two semesters: Fall and Spring. Awards may be renewed on an annual basis (typically up to one additional year for master's students and up to three years for doctoral students) based on departmental needs as well as satisfactory academic and musical progress by the recipient.

Updated 6.13.13