Music Graduate Office

Master's Programs

Structure of the Master's Curricula:

The minimum requirement for a master's degree is 30 credits (some degrees may require more), excluding required credit hours in prerequisite or review courses and major ensemble. All master's degrees include studies in a major field, a music history and literature curriculum common to all majors, and a secondary concentration called a outside area.

Students in a master's degree program must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to graduate.

Below is a general list of common requirements for most master's degrees. Click the section heading to view specific information on that portion of the curriculum.

Degree sheets for each major

Click on the program name below to have a list of requirements for that degree open in a new window.  These requirements are for the 2009-2011 bulletin.  If you entered under the 2001-2003, 2003-2005, 2005-2007, or 2007-2009 bulletin, click here for a list of program requirements.

Course Load

Residency Requirement and Transfer Credit

Time Limits

Students admitted to a master's degree program must complete all degree requirements within 7 years after beginning graduate study. Students who do not complete their work within the prescribed time limits must be readmitted to the major field (through interview, submission of documents, or audition as appropriate to the major), meet current degree requirements and make any other curricular changes indicated by the departmental chair and the Director of Graduate Studies.

Petitions for extensions of the limit must be sent to the Director of Graduate Studies, who considers them on a case-by-case basis, giving preference to continued professional involvement in music. If granted, extensions last no more than one year. In addition, any course taken more than seven years earlier must be revalidated according to the procedures of the department offering the course.

These time limits are suspended for student in active military service for the duration of that active service.

Students who entered from 1993 to 1998 have a time limit of 5 years, 7 for summer-only students.

Music History & Literature Requirement

                                    *Course topics can not be repeated.

Outside Area

An Outside Area, which is like a small minor, consists of six credit hours in a field outside the major. It can be satisfied in any of three ways:

1. Six credit hours in one department of the Jacobs School of Music other than your major, with approval of the appropriate department chairperson and the Director of Graduate Studies.
2. Six credit hours in one field outside of the Jacobs School of Music, with approval of the graduate advisor in that department and the Director of Graduate Studies in the Jacobs School of Music.
3. Six credit hours within or outside the Jacobs School of Music, with approval of the Director of Graduate Studies in accordance with departmental guidelines. For this option, called an "individualized outside area," the courses must fit a specific theme or emphasis; a written proposal is required.

To declare an Outside Area, students must complete an Outside Area Approval Form, acquire the appropriate signature, and submit the form to the Graduate Office.

The Outside Area was called a "Cognate" until 2005.

Guidelines for Master's Outside Area

1. The Outside Area may become a minor if at least 12 hours are taken in that field, and any other requirements for the specific minor are met. The form for requesting a minor--not a regular outside area--is available here.
2. A grade of "C" or better is needed in each course to fulfill the degree requirement. In addition, courses counting toward an outside area or minor must have at least an average of "B." Departments offering the outside area or minor may require a higher grade average.
3. For an outside area in a performance area, an audition report completed by the applied instrument faculty must accompany the Outside Area Approval Form. The performance level required for an outside area is the same as for a minor.
4. Performance majors may not use another performance area for an outside area except that modern-instrument performers may elect an early-music minor and vice versa. A minor in performance, when allowed, requires study at the 800 level.
5. Courses that could count toward a student's major field are generally not eligible (for example, a student may not count "excess" performance study credits in the major toward an outside area): up to six credit hours may be taken in courses closely related to the major field only if they are not specifically required as part of the major. Courses that have traditionally been accepted include string pedagogy for string majors, string technology for string majors, harp pedagogy for harp majors, and opera workshop for voice majors. Any combination of courses other than these must be approved before the student enrolls.
6. The courses to be counted under the "individualized outside area" are approved by the Director of Graduate Studies in accordance with departmental guidelines before the student enrolls. Courses are not normally approved "after the fact."
7. Under the "individualized outside area," performance majors may include applied study in a related instrument, up to a maximum of two credits. Graduate credit is awarded if the student is accepted at the minor (800) level and is taught by a faculty member.
8. Courses that are normally used to satisfy proficiencies or tool subjects are not eligible (such as M539, M541, M542, T508, T509, T511, and piano classes and P700 lessons). Ensemble and chamber music coaching are not eligible. Graduate reading courses in foreign languages (under _491/492 numbers) are also not eligible.

9. Courses must ordinarily be at the graduate level. Undergraduate courses at the 100 or 200 level are not eligible.
   Advanced undergraduate courses at the 300 or 400 level may be eligible if they satisfy a requirement for the undergraduate major
   in that subject.
10. Courses may be transferred from other institutions to qualify for the outside area. Such courses must meet the other requirements above and be officially accepted for transfer.
11. Courses within the Jacobs School of Music used to satisfy outside area requirements must be taught by regularly appointed faculty members. Courses taught by associate instructors will not count.
12. The student must meet the qualifications of the parallel minor, and only courses that would fulfill the requirements for a minor are acceptable.

For information about the process to declare an Outside Area in Composition, click here.

There are some departments that have pre-approved the courses that can be taken for an outside area in that subject. This is a list of those fields' outside area options only (there are many other outside area options that are not listed). For students choosing one of these pre-approved outside areas, the Outside Area approval form must still be filled out an submitted, but it is not necessary to get signature from the department chair or advisor prior to submitting the form to the Music Graduate Office.

Outside Area in Orchestral Conducting

2 semesters of MUS-G 570 Graduate Orchestral Conducting (3 credits each semester).

Outside Area in Opera

Any combination of 6 credits selected from the following list (each course is 3 credits): MUS-M 561 History and Literature of Opera I, MUS-M 562 History and Literature of Opera II, MUS-M 563 History and Literature of Opera III, MUS-M 564 History and Literature of Opera IV, MUS-M 525 Survey of Operatic Literature, MUS-R 571 Opera Workshop, MUS-R 572 Opera Workshop.

Outside Area in Jazz Studies

Any combination of 6 (or more) credits selected from the following list: MUS-M 591 Jazz Literature 1: Pre-Jazz to Bebop (3 cr), MUS-M 592 Jazz Literature 2: The Bebop Era (3 cr), MUS-M 593 Jazz Literature 3: Jazz since Bebop (3 cr), MUS-O 521 Jazz Improvisation 1 (3 cr), MUS-O 522 Jazz Improvisation 2 (3 cr), MUS-O 523 Jazz Improvisation 3 (3 cr), MUS-O 524 Jazz Improvisation 4 (3 cr), MUS-O 512 Jazz Composition (3 cr), MUS-M 583 Duke Ellington (3 cr), MUS-M 584 Research in the History and Analysis of Jazz (3 cr), MUS-M 594 Big Band Jazz (3 cr), MUS-O 516 Jazz Arranging 1 (2 cr), MUS-O 517 Jazz Arranging 2 (2 cr), MUS-E 570 Pedagogy of Jazz (2 cr).

Outside Area in Music History

Any combination of 6 credits selected from the following list (each course is 3 credits): MUS-M 525 Survey of Operatic Literature, MUS-M 527 Symphonic Literature, MUS-M 528 Chamber Music Literature, MUS-M 650 Music in the United States, MUS-M 651 Medieval Music, MUS-M 652 Renaissance Music, MUS-M 653 Baroque Music, MUS-M 654 Classic Music, MUS-M 655 Romantic Music, MUS-M 656 Music Since 1900, MUS-M 502: Composer: Variable Topic, MUS-M 510 Topics in Music Literature. Course topics may not be repeated.

Outside Area in Music Theory

Any combination of 6 credits selected from the following list (each course is 3 credits): MUS-T 550 Readings in Music Theory, MUS-T 551 Analytical Techniques for Tonal Music, MUS-T 555 Schenkerian Analysis, MUS-T 556 Analysis of Music Since 1900, MUS-T 565 Stylistic Counterpoint: Variable Topics, MUS-T 591 Teaching of Music Theory, MUS-T 658 Seminar in Music Theory: Variable Topics (MUS-T 658 is ordinarily for PhD students with a major in Music Theory, so students should consult with the Music Theory department prior to enrolling in MUS-T 658). Course topics may not be repeated.

Recitals

Each master's performance major must perform a varying number of recitals, depending on the degree program. M.M. Choral Conducting, Orchestral Conducting, Wind Conducting and Composition majors are also required to do a public performance. General recital requirements are provided below. For specific information on recital requirements, students should review the information for their degree and check with their department chair.

For information regarding recital guidelines and scheduling, review the Recital Scheduling homepage, or contact the Recital Scheduling Office ((recsched AT indiana.edu or 812-855-6000).

Recital Requirements

Location
Recitals must take place in public spaces in Bloomington, announced to and open to the public.

Date
Recitals ordinarily take place during the fall or spring semesters according to deadlines specified in the scheduling policies. Recitals may take place during the second summer session if a hearing can be arranged and if faculty members are available to attend the recital.

Hearing
A pre-recital hearing is required for all master's recitals, except for composition recitals. At the discretion of the faculty, other recitals may also be given a hearing. A hearing must be scheduled so that it can be completed and the recital performed within the published deadlines; it is the student's responsibility to arrange a hearing and to meet the deadlines. Students may perform a hearing in the summer with the approval of the department chair if faculty members are available. A hearing is valid for 60 days.

Repertory
Recital repertory is subject to approval by a student’s teacher or committee following any guidelines published by the department. Appropriate repertory for chamber music recitals is specified by departments. Recital repertory may not be repeated for degree.

Grading
The grade for a master’s recital is assigned by the teacher, who hears the recital in person. An organ recital grade is based on a recital hearing, and a composition recital grade is based on an average of the grades of the faculty members who attend the recital. A jazz recital grade is based on an average of the grades of Jazz Studies Department faculty members who attend the recital and the teacher with whom the student is enrolled in performance study.

All recital grades are reported in writing to the director of graduate studies. A grade of at least a "B" must be achieved on the recital(s).

Assisting performers
Recitals may include the participation of no more than 13 assisting performers and a conductor. All must be available for a hearing, if required. Participation by assisting performers must not interfere with their lessons, ensemble assignments or academic responsibilities. Chamber music credit is available to the assisting performers only if they have registered and arranged specifically for that credit. Special rules apply to conducting, composition, and jazz studies recitals that use Jacobs School of Music ensembles or specially-assembled groups; consult the appropriate department for information.

Length
Recitals have minimum and maximum lengths, which are displayed in the Jacobs School of Music Bulletin, and in the Recital Scheduling Office.

Master's Comprehensive Examination

Before graduation, all master's degree students must pass an oral or written examination. It is the responsibility of the student to consult with the major-field department to ascertain the procedures in that department.

MME and MM Composition thesis submission

For procedures and rules for the submission of the final Master of Music in Composition thesis, see http://www.music.indiana.edu/department/composition/compdocs.shtml.

For procedures and rules for the submission of the final Master of Music Education thesis or practicum, see http://www.music.indiana.edu/som/grad/MMEThesis.shtml.

Double major/double degrees

With permission, MM students may choose to complete a degree with two majors (one diploma, with two majors listed on the transcript) or to complete double degrees (two diplomas) with a small overlap of requirements. The student must be admitted by audition to each major. The two degrees in a double degree must be awarded simultaneously; it is not possible to complete one degree and then to add a second.

MM with a double major (one diploma, two majors listed on transcript). A student must

• complete all requirements for each major;
• satisfy all proficiencies and tool subjects for each major;
• complete the music history & literature requirement (2 music history courses);
• enroll in ensemble each semester;
• perform all required recitals for each major;
• pass comprehensive exams for each major.

(No outside area is required; its place is taken by the second major.)

MM double degrees (two diplomas; must be awarded simultaneously). A student must  

• complete all requirements for each major;
• satisfy all proficiencies and tool subjects for each major;
• complete two music history & literature requirements (4 music history courses);
• enroll in ensemble each semester;
• perform all required recitals for each major;
• pass comprehensive exams for each major.

(No outside area is required; its place is taken by the second major.)

Performer's Certificate

Performer's Certificate

Undergraduate students, master's students, and Performer Diploma students are eligible for the Performer's Certificate, which is awarded as a special recognition of musical understanding and technical proficiency demonstrated in recital.  Award of the Performer's Certificate is a three-step process involving the hearing, the recital, and a special hearing by the All-Faculty Performer's Certificate Committee.  Each of the three steps must take place during a fall or spring semester. Details are available in the undergraduate office.  The following procedures are to be observed.

1.  The student is initially nominated for the Performer's Certificate at the recital hearing which must be attended by at least three faculty members.  Based on the number present, the necessary number of positive votes to be nominated for a Performer's Certificate is shown in parentheses:  3(2), 4(3), 5(4), 6(4), 7(5), 8(6), 9(6), 10(7), 11(8), 12(8), 13(9), 14(10), 15(10), 16(11), 17(12), 18(12), 19(13), 20(14), 21(14).

2.  The required quorum for attendance at the recital is five faculty members.  The student, performance instructor, and department chair should consult to be sure that the recital is scheduled at a time when the required quorum can be met.  The chair of the student's department has the responsibility to assemble the faculty committee in consultation with the performance instructor.  Based on the number present, the necessary number of positive votes to be nominated for a special hearing by the All-Faculty Performer's Certificate Hearing is shown in parentheses:  5(4), 6(4), 7(5), 8(6), 9(6), 10(7), 11(8), 12(8), 13(9), 14(10), 15(10), 16(11), 17(12), 18(12), 19(13), 20(14), 21(14).

3.  If the recital quorum is met and the vote is positive, the student's department chair should notify the undergraduate office as soon as possible of the number of faculty present and the results of their vote.  The chair should also instruct the student to go to the undergraduate office immediately to schedule the special hearing.

4.  The regular size of the All-Faculty Performer's Certificate Committee is seven members; the required quorum at the special hearing is five members.  Based on the number present, the number of positive votes required to award the Performer's Certificate is shown in parentheses:  5(4), 6(4), 7(5).  The special hearing is scheduled for half an hour.  The student selects the music for the first ten minutes, and the chairperson of the committee, in consultation with other committee members, chooses the repertoire for the remaining time.

5.  At the special hearing, the student must be prepared to perform the entire recital program (the same program as the recital); if other performers were involved in the recital, the same performers must be present at the special hearing. The student is most strongly advised not to schedule the recital within the last two weeks of the semester.  If the student is nominated at a recital taking place after the Sunday which precedes the second-to-last week of classes, the special hearing cannot take place during that semester.  If the special hearing is thus delayed to the following (spring or fall) semester, the requirement that the student be prepared to perform the same recital with the same performers still stands.

Sample Schedule

NOTE: The schedule below is only a sample. Master's students come to degree programs with varied backgrounds and experience, and it is impossible to construct a "one-size-fits-all" curriculum. For general comments on the Master's curricula and the principles on which this sample is based, see the Structure of Master's Curricula section above.

The schedule below is for an violin major with an outside area in music theory who has passed all theory and history entrance proficiency exams except sight singing and music history before 1750.