Degree Programs > Master's Degree

| Degree Programs | Master's Degree | Combined Master of Business Administration & Master of Arts | Doctor of Philosophy |

 To be considered for admission, an applicant must be a graduate of a recognized university, normally with at least a B (second class) standing, assessed over the last two years of academic study. Strength in musicianship, as well as knowledge of European music history, is expected of students entering the program.

In addition, applicants should have an undergraduate degree in music or a relevant major in the humanities or social sciences. If the undergraduate degree is in a subject other than music, applicants should have at least a minor concentration in music or the equivalent in training and experience (to be determined by the program’s graduate admissions committee). Applicants without the expected academic qualifications may be asked to make up deficiencies.

All applicants should submit:

1. a statement of intent (no less than 500 words);
2. two examples of scholarly writing; and,
3. an updated résumé (curriculum vitae).

In addition to the above documents, applicants for the composition field must submit a composition portfolio. All complete files are assessed by the Music graduate program admissions committee.

The program accepts only those qualified applicants who are able to benefit from the faculty and facilities available.

Candidates for the MA degree by thesis must satisfactorily complete the following:

1. Courses
   Music 5010 6.0: Problems and Methods of Musical Research plus FOUR additional half courses which differ substantially in subject area and/or methodological approach. These electives may include a course in a cognate discipline related to the student’s principal research interests, or a directed reading course.
   
   
2. Language
   An examination testing the student’s reading knowledge of French, German, or other relevant second language.
   
   
3. Thesis
   A thesis (generally 100 to 150 pages) on a topic approved by the program’s Graduate Executive Committee. The thesis project may require field work, or it may depend upon the use of archival or published materials. After formal submission of the thesis, an oral examination is held in accordance with the thesis regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Candidates for the MA degree by thesis must satisfactorily complete the following:

1. Courses
   Music 5005A 3.0: Seminar in Composition I (half course over two terms—year 1) and Music 5005B 3.0: Seminar in Composition II (half course over two terms—year 2), which combine private lessons and shared symposia; plus FOUR additional half courses offered by the program, including at least one of Music 5110 3.0: Early Twentieth-century Music: Form, Structure and Significance, Music 6210 3.0: Documentary and Interpretive Studies in Contemporary Music, Music 6250 3.0: Musical Analysis, or Music 6310 3.0: Musical Acoustics, Psychoacoustics and Formal Perception.
   
   
2. Language
   No language examination is required.
   
   
3. Thesis: Composition and Paper
   A composition and research paper on a topic approved by the program’s Graduate Executive Committee. The usual form of the composition thesis will be an extended musical score (or acoustic equivalent) in combination with a research paper. The research paper (generally 50 to 80 pages) will place the composition in the context of contemporary music with respect to its technical methods and style orientation. The principle guiding the composition thesis and its examination is that there must be distinct and extensive independent work which is defensible from the standpoints of its technical mastery, feasibility for performance, relation of means to aesthetic intention, and its composer’s awareness of sources and influences. After formal submission of the thesis, an oral examination is held in accordance with the thesis regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Candidates for the MA degree by coursework must satisfactorily complete the following:

1. Courses
   Music 5010 6.0 plus SIX additional half courses which differ substantially in subject area and/or methodological approach. One of these half courses may be a directed reading course.
   
   
2. Language
   An examination testing the student’s reading knowledge of French, German or other relevant second language.
   
   
3. Research Paper
   A research paper (generally 50 to 80 pages) on a topic approved by the program’s graduate executive committee, written under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty in music. The paper will be graded by the faculty member directing the research and by a second reader, appointed by the Graduate Program Director