Music, MA, Music Theory Concentration
Master's Candidacy
To earn a master’s degree at Washington University, a student must complete all courses required by their department; maintain satisfactory academic progress; fulfill all academic and residence requirements; and apply to graduate via Workday Student. For the details of master’s degree general requirements in Arts & Sciences, including an explanation of Satisfactory Academic Progress, students should review the Master’s Degree Academic Information page of the Arts & Sciences Bulletin.
Program Requirements
- Total Units Required: 36
- Degree Length: 2 years
- Note: Students must be enrolled in 9 graduate credits each semester to retain full-time status. As students complete their coursework, if enrolled in fewer than 9 graduate credits, they must enroll in a specific Arts & Sciences graduate course that will show 0 units but does count as full-time status. Students should connect with their department to ensure proper enrollment prior to Add/Drop.
- Grade Requirement: A grade of B- or better is required for courses to count toward the degree. Students are expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in courses that count toward their credit units.
The Master of Arts in Music Theory requires 36 units of graduate study. Students must demonstrate reading knowledge, as determined by examination, of German, French, Italian or Latin. The student may petition for a substitute language, depending on the student’s area of research interest. In addition, students must pass a keyboard skills exam. Students should enroll in repeatable 0-credit course MUSIC 5231 until they have satisfied this requirement.
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MUSIC 5020 | Introduction to Musicological Research I | 3 |
| MUSIC 5022 | Introduction to Musicological Research II | 3 |
| MUSIC 5070 | Introduction to Contemporary Music Theory | 3 |
| MUSIC 5104 | Analysis I | 3 |
Elective Courses
- 9 units of Theory
- 3 units of Music History and Culture
- 12 units of Electives, which may include up to 6 units of Thesis Research, but excluding basic foreign language instruction.
Thesis Requirements/Details
- A Title, Scope, & Procedure form for the master’s thesis must be signed by the thesis committee members and by the program chair. It must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies, Arts & Sciences, at least six months before the degree is expected to be conferred.
- A Master’s Thesis Guide and a Thesis Template that give instructions regarding the format of the thesis are available on the website of the Office of Graduate Studies, Arts & Sciences. Both should be read carefully at every stage of thesis preparation.
- All other requirements for the degree must be completed before the student may undertake the oral defense of thesis.
Contact Info
| Contact: | Jessica Flannigan |
| Phone: | 314-935-5566 |
| Email: | flanniganj@wustl.edu |
| Website: | http://music.wustl.edu/graduate |