Program Overview
College of Performing and Visual Arts
General Master's Degree Admission Requirements
View delivery options, start terms and admission requirements.
Interim Director: Melissa Malde, D.M.A.
Interim Associate Director: Carissa Reddick, Ph.D.
Location: Frasier Hall 108
Telephone: 970-351-2993
Website: arts.unco.edu/music/
Graduate Coordinator: Carissa Reddick, Ph.D.
Each new student entering a graduate program in music at the University of Northern Colorado is required to take graduate advisory examinations in Music History and writing skills, and placement examinations in Music Theory and Aural Skills, and the student’s major area. For students entering the Music Education degree, the major area will be Music Education. Graduate students who do not pass the theory placement exam must enroll in MUS 401. Graduate students who do not pass the aural skills placement exam must enroll in MUS 402. All students must either pass the theory and aural skills exam OR pass MUS 401 and/or MUS 402 with a grade of C or better before they can enroll in graduate-level theory classes or graduate from their programs.
The degree program seeks to assist graduate candidates in developing advanced professional competencies in performance, scholarly abilities, research, and pedagogical techniques for use in the profession or for instruction in higher education.
Residency, when stated in the music section of this Catalog, is interpreted to mean 9 credit hours or more per semester.
Students must maintain a GPA of 3.2 in courses that are part of their degree plan.
Language Requirement. Students will be expected to demonstrate translational competency in German or French, or a different language if relevant to their course of study, before taking their comprehensive exams.
Keyboard Proficiency. Students must demonstrate competency in the following keyboard skills before taking their comprehensive exams:
- realize a figured bass and Roman numeral progression with acceptable voice-leading in keyboard style
- sight-read a Bach chorale harmonization
- perform a short, prepared, intermediate-level piece, such as a two-part Bach Invention, Beethoven Bagatelle, Schubert German Dance, etc.
Degree Requirements — 30 Credits
Required Concentration Credits — 27 credits
| MUS 504 | Music Theory Pedagogy | 3 |
| MUS 595 | Music Theory Seminar | 3 |
| MUS 600 | Introduction to Musical Scholarship | 2 |
| MUS 603 | Analytical Studies in Music | 3 |
| MUS 604 | Linear Analysis | 3 |
| MUS 699 | Thesis | 1- 6 |
| Music History Course | 3 |
| Music Performing Organization and/or Individual Performance | 4 |
MUS 595: Seminar in Music Theory may be repeated for credit as long as the content differs.
MUS 699: Take 6 credits
Elective Credits — 3 credits
Electives will be selected by advisement, based upon candidate's needs identified through examination. Additional courses in music theory, history, or language are recommended.
NOTES: Students who are able to demonstrate competency in any required course may substitute an elective chosen in consultation with the advisor.