Degree Requirements

Music & Human Learning

MM • Music & Human Learning, Thesis-Track

Overview

In the two-year Master of Music (M.M.) in Music & Human Learning, students study the fundamental principles of human learning and behavior as applied to all aspects of musical activity. Individual courses of study are uniquely designed to broaden and refine the knowledge and skills of experienced music educators, preparing them for advanced careers as teachers and scholars in the various dimensions of research and professional music education.

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Contacts
Degree Requirements
Advising & Registration
Graduation Timeline
Important Links

Contacts

Administrative Contacts

Graduate Advisor | Director of Graduate Studies

James Buhler

Scholarships & Assistantships

Anne Hall

Graduate Admissions Coordinator

Daniel Seriff

HR Coordinator

Theresa Orendain

Graduate Coordinator

Marina Martinez

Operations & Scheduling

Page Stephens

Division Contacts

Division Head, MHL

Robert A. Duke

Area Counselor, MHL

Robert A. Duke

Faculty

Robert A. Duke

Director, Center for Human Learning
Suzanne Pence

Associate Professor of Music and Human Learning, Choral Conducting
Laurie Scott

Associate Professor of Music and Human Learning
Director, The University of Texas String Project
Director, Musical Lives
Amy Simmons

Senior Lecturer in Music and Human Learning
Justin J. West

Assistant Professor of Music and Human Learning
Marjorie Yankeelov

Lecturer in Music and Human Learning

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Degree Requirements

The M.M. in Music & Human Learning (thesis) requires 30 hours of registered coursework, a comprehensive examination, a recital, and a master’s report.

Major Coursework

Major Coursework for the M.M. in Music & Human Learning (Thesis Track)
Hours	Course Number	Course Title/Description
3	MUS 391	Foundations of Music Education
3	MUS 384J	Experimental Research in Music & Human Learning I
6	MUS 698A and MUS 698B	Master’s Thesis (2 semesters)
6-10		Semester hours chosen from the following MUS 383L, Seminar in Music & Human Learning MUS 384J, Advanced Studies in Music & Human Learning (other than Experimental Research) MUS 392, Psychology of Music MUS 393, Topics in Music & Human Learning

A comprehensive examination is required of all master’s degree candidates, usually in the final semester.

Supporting Work

Supporting Coursework for the M.M. in Music & Human Learning (Thesis Track)
Hours	Course Number	Course Title/Description
3	MUS 398T or MUS 388T	Pedagogy of Music Theory or Analytical Techniques
3	MUS 379K MUS 380 MUS 387L	Conference Course in Music Literature Advanced Studies in the History of Music & Culture Advanced Studies in Music Literature
4		Semester hours from other topics in music (not including Music & Human Learning), such as music history, music theory, performance, or ensemble.
0-3		Up to 3 semester hours of upper-division or graduate level courses in performance or related fields outside of music.

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Advising & Registration

For information about course registration, deadlines, adding and dropping courses and other policies, visit the Graduate School Academic & Registration Policies webpage.

Students who wish to take an independent study course need to fill out a Consent Form. Once the faculty member and Graduate Coordinator have approved your request, the bar to register for the course will be lifted.

To be eligible for fellowships, scholarships and assistantships, graduate students are required to be enrolled full-time (at least 9 hours).

All international students are also required to be enrolled full-time during each long semester, regardless of whether they receive funding from the Butler School of Music.

Transferring Coursework

A new master’s student may petition to transfer up to six credits of graduate level coursework completed at another institution, subject to approval by both the Butler School of Music Graduate Studies Committee chair and the Dean of Graduate Studies.

Detailed transfer regulations and forms for master’s students are maintained by the Graduate School.

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Graduation Timeline

Semester-by-Semester Overview

Prior to 1st semester

All students must take the diagnostic examinations in music history and music theory. Additional diagnostic exams are administered for students in composition, voice, jazz and music theory.

Semester 3

Registration for the following if required – MUS 698RA, 698A.
M.M. Piano Performance students take their group comprehensive exam.
With the approval of their studio teacher, some performance area students may perform their thesis recital.

Semester 4

Students must submit a completed M.M. degree check form to verify their completion of coursework.
Students must apply to graduate – check graduate school website for deadline.
Registration for the following if required – MUS 698RB, 698B, 398M.
M.M. String students take their group comprehensive exam.
All other students take individual comprehensive exams as arranged by their studio teacher (for performance area students) or their supervising professor (for academic area students).
Most performance area students perform their thesis recital.
M.M. Music & Human Learning – Non-Thesis Track complete their master’s project.
M.M. Music Theory, M.M. Music & Human Learning – Thesis Track and M.M. Composition students complete their master’s thesis or master’s report and submit it to the Graduate School.
M.M. Ethnomusicology and M.M. Musicology students complete their master’s report and submit it to the Graduate School.