Degree Requirements

Theory

MM • Theory

Overview

In the two-year Master of Music (M.M.) degree in Theory, students study the principles of music, develop skills in music analysis and scholarly research, and prepare themselves to become college teachers in music theory.

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Contacts

Administrative Contacts

Graduate Admissions Coordinator

Daniel Seriff

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, Theory & Composition

Marianne Wheeldon

Area Counselor, Theory

Eric Drott

Faculty

James Buhler

Professor of Theory
Director of Graduate Studies
Chelsea Burns

Assistant Professor of Music Theory
Hon Ki Cheung

Assistant Professor of Music Theory
Eric Drott

Associate Professor of Theory
John Turci-Escobar

Assistant Professor of Instruction in Theory
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies
Marianne Wheeldon

Professor of Music Theory
Division Head, Theory & Composition

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Degree Requirements

The M.M. in Music Theory requires 33 hours of registered coursework, a comprehensive examination, and a master’s report.

Major Coursework

Major Coursework for the M.M. in Music Theory
Hours	Course Number	Course Title/Description
3	MUS 388M	Topic 1: Foundations of Music Theory
3	MUS 398T	Pedagogy of Music Theory
3	MUS 388M	Topic 4: Current Trends in Music Theory
3	MUS 388M	Topic 5: Schenker’s Theory of Tonal Music
3	MUS 385	Topic 2: History of Music Theory since 1750
3	MUS 398M	Master’s Report

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 Theory
Hours	Course Number	Course Title/Description
6		Two graduate seminars in theory
9		Additional graduate credits, at least seven credits of which must be in areas other than music theory

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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.

View a List of Upcoming Courses offered by Musicology & Ethnomusicology

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.