Portland-State-University 2023-2024 Bulletin

Music M.A./M.S. Program

Serving students who seek a broad graduate degree in music, the M.A./M.S. in Music provides advanced studies in research methods, music theory, music history, literature, pedagogy, conducting, and arranging. Students take applied music in their performance area or in composition and in a secondary performance area. Students pursue a culminating project in performance, composition, pedagogy, musicology, ethnomusicology, or music theory. Students successfully completing the M.A./M.S. in Music will have gained the necessary skills to prepare them for continued study in a doctoral program or to pursue professional work as a teacher, performer, composer, church musician, or related career.

Core curriculum

All of the following:

Mus 056Graduate Music History Entrance Exam

0
Mus 057Graduate Music Theory Entrance Exam

0
Mup 590Applied Music

2
Mup 591Applied Music in Secondary Area

2
Mus 506Graduate Project or Recital

2
Mus 511Music Research Methods

3
Mus 520Analytical Techniques

3
Ensemble: Chosen with advice of graduate faculty

3
Education/Pedagogy (chosen with adviser's assistance)

6

Mup 591: (may substitute Mup 590 credits with adviser approval)

One of the following: (2-3 credits)

Mus 522Advanced Orchestral Arranging

3
Mus 523Advanced Choral Arranging

3
Mus 524Instrumental Jazz Arranging I

2

One of the following (3 credits)

Mus 530Song Literature

3
Mus 531Chamber Music Literature

3
Mus 532Band Wind Literature

3
Mus 533Orchestral Literature

3
Mus 534Choral Literature I

3
Mus 536Opera Literature

3
Mus 537Keyboard Literature I

3
Mus 538Keyboard Literature II

3
Mus 539Instrumental Literature

3
Mus 540Jazz Literature

3

Three of the following: (6 credits)

Mus 560Music History: The Medieval Period

2
Mus 561Music History: The Renaissance Period

2
Mus 562Music History: The Baroque Period

2
Mus 563Music History: The Classical Period

2
Mus 564Music History: The Romantic Period

2
Mus 565Music History: Early 20th Century

2
Mus 566Music History: Music Since 1950

2

One of the following (determined in conjunction with advisor) (3 credits)

Mus 541Advanced Conducting Methods

3
Mus 542Advanced Choral Conducting

3
Mus 543Advanced Instrumental Conducting

3
 
Elective Studies Selected with an Advisor

9-10

Total Credit Hours: 45

Students must pass Mus 056, the Music History Entrance Exam, before taking any graduate music history course with the exception of Mus 529, Grad History Review. A grade of B or better in Mus 529 will constitute a Pass for the Music History Entrance Exam. Similarly, students must pass Mus 057, the Music Theory Entrance Exam, before taking any graduate music theory course with the exception of Mus 512, Graduate Theory Review. A grade of B or better in Mus 512 will constitute a Pass for the Music Theory Entrance Exam.

All M.A./M.S. candidates must take a final written examination. All graduate students must receive a grade of B or above in music courses.