Graduate Program Requirements
Music Theory
Master of Arts
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet the scholastic standards and general requirements of the Graduate School and the
School of Music. It is expected that students applying to this program will have completed basic
professional preparation, defined as the equivalent of three years of theory and analysis (tonal and posttonal) and one semester of counterpoint. In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School
applications, applicants to the Master’s program in Theory should submit two analytic papers; one
dealing with tonal music and one with post-tonal music.
Students admitted into the Theory M.A. should show proficiency equivalent to, or beyond that required
to pass the Equivalency Examinations in tonal and post-tonal theory and analysis, ear training,
counterpoint and music history for the University of Minnesota B.A. in music. Coursework in theory
required to make up for deficiencies will not count toward the degree. Upon entrance, the student must
take the placement examinations in tonal and post-tonal music theory, ear-training, counterpoint, and
music history. Any identified deficiencies must be remedied during the first year of study.
Program Requirements
Minimum of 30 credits.
1. Emphasis: 24 credits
 Mus 8xxx, Courses in Music Theory and/or Analysis: 18 credits
 Mus 8xxx, Course(s) in Musicology/Ethnomusicology: 3 credits
 Mus 5xxx/8xxx, Course(s) in Music Composition, Musicology, Ethnomusicology, or
Performance: 3 credits
2. Supporting Non-Music Program: 6 credits
 5xxx/8xxx, Courses outside of music; May include Music Education/Therapy: 6 credits
3. Language
 Reading knowledge in French, German, or Italian (certification form required)
4. Plan B Project(s)
 For two Plan B papers (more common): two article-length (ca. 7,000–9,000 words of text not
including footnotes, musical examples, etc. would be considered typical) from two different
areas of music theory and/or analytic study. The Plan B papers may be—and normally are—
revisions of papers initially prepared for 8xxx-level theory courses. The papers should exhibit
professional (publishable) quality and format.
 For one Plan B paper (less common): one longer paper (ca. 15,000–17,000 words) representing
an extended foray into a single topic. This would go far beyond a simple revision of a seminar
paper.
 In either case, papers should be submitted to each member of the Examining Committee after the
paper adviser (may be different from the degree adviser) is satisfied that the papers are in a nearfinished state. The paper or papers must be approved by all three members of the Examining
Committee in advance of the oral exam.
5. Final Oral Examination
For more information, visit the School of Music website at music.umn.edu
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Graduate Program Requirements
Music Theory
Ph.D.
Admission Requirements
Because of our small theory faculty, we can accept very few students into the Ph.D. program in Theory.
Applicants must meet the scholastic standards and general requirements of the Graduate School and the
School of Music. In addition, applicants should submit two analytic papers: one dealing with tonal
music and one with post-tonal music. Upon entrance, the student must take the placement examinations
in tonal and 20th century music theory and in music history. Any identified deficiencies must be
remedied during the first year of study.
Program Requirements
Doctoral students are required to take 15 credits in music beyond the requirement for the M.A.: a total
minimum of 39 credits within the field, exclusive of thesis credits. The courses in theory and analysis,
may include courses in musicology that have a strong analytical or theoretical component. The Graduate
School requires a total of 12 credits of course work outside of music, beyond the M.A. requirements
(courses in Music Education may be included in fulfilling this requirement). All course work should be
chosen in consultation with an advisor, and all course work toward the degree must be taken on an A-F
grading basis.
Expected M.A. Coursework
Mus 8xxx, Courses in theory and analysis: 18 credits
Mus 8xxx, Course(s) in Musicology or Ethnomusicology: 3 credits
Mus 5xxx/8xxx, Course(s) in Music Composition, Musicology, Ethnomusicology, or
Performance: 3 credits
5xxx/8xxx, Courses outside of music; May include Music Education/Therapy: 6 credit
Additional Ph.D. Coursework
Minimum 24 credits
1. Major Program: 12 credits
 Mus 8xxx, Courses in theory and analysis: 12 credits
2. Concentration: 3 credits
 Mus 8xxx, Course(s) in Musicology or Ethnomusicology, taken at the University of Minnesota:
3 credits
3. Supporting Program: 6 credits
 5xxx/8xxx, Courses outside music; may include Music Education courses: 6 credits
4. Language Requirement
 Ph.D. students are required to pass reading comprehension examinations in two foreign
languages: German and either French or Italian (certificiation form required). One of these latter
languages may be replaced by a special research technique or collateral field of knowledge.
5. Thesis: 24 credits
 Mus 8888, Doctoral Thesis Credits: 24 credits
 See below for more information
For more information, visit the School of Music website at music.umn.edu
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Examination and Thesis
The completion of course work will be followed by comprehensive Preliminary Written and Oral
Examinations. After passing these Preliminary Exams, the doctoral candidate in consultation with his or
her advisor chooses a dissertation topic. Before the dissertation topic is formally accepted by the
Graduate School, the candidate is required to fill out and submit the “Ph.D. Thesis Title Form.” This
form requires the constitution of a Final Oral Examination Committee, chosen in consultation with the
dissertation advisor and comprising a minimum of three major field examiners (including the advisor)
and one examiner from a supporting field. The advisor and two other examiners will be designated as
dissertation reviewers; one of the latter must be from the major field and the other from within the
supporting field. In addition, a chair must be assigned: one who holds full membership in the Graduate
School Faculty and who is not the advisor. Before submitting the form to the School of Music Graduate
Studies Committee, the candidate should consult with all of the prospective reviewers, who at that time
will advise the candidate and the dissertation advisor if they anticipate problems with the topic or with
the student’s preparation for the successful completion of the dissertation. During the course of thesis
research, the Graduate School requires doctoral candidates to complete 24 Thesis Credits. Upon written
completion of the thesis and before the final defense the student must submit his or her thesis title page
to the Graduate School to receive the Thesis Reviewers Report form which when signed by the
reviewers, indicates that the thesis is ready for defense. The student in conjunction with his or her
advisor will convene a formal defense of the dissertation, the “Final Oral Examination.” Upon
successful defense of the completed dissertation, and submission to the Graduate School the candidate
would be awarded the Ph.D.
For more information, visit the School of Music website at music.umn.edu
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