Music

College of Liberal Arts
Department of Music
(907) 474-7555
www.uaf.edu/music/department/

B.A., B.M., M.A. Degree

Minimum Requirements for Degree: 30 credits

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The M.A. degree offers advanced training in four areas of specialization: performance, music education, music theory/composition and music history. The graduate program is determined by the student and the graduate committee. Each graduate student's program is individually tailored and is designed to meet the student's professional interests and aspirations, consistent with program requirements.

Recitals and concerts provide students with a variety of musical experiences which expand the regular curriculum.

The music department of UAF is a full member of the National Association of Schools of Music, the national accrediting organization.

Graduate Program--M.A. Degree

Concentrations: Conducting, Music Education, Music History, Performance, Theory/Composition

  1. Complete the following admission requirements:
    1. Take an evaluative preliminary examination.*
    2. Music education majors must complete a section pertaining to organizations, literature, knowledge of instruments and voice, and rehearsal techniques appropriate for public school music instruction.
    3. Composition majors must submit examples of previous work.
    4. Performance majors must demonstrate acquaintance with solo literature of the various historical periods through audition or submission of performance tapes.
  2. Complete the general university requirements.
  3. Complete the master's degree requirements. **
  4. Complete and pass an oral examination on the major project, thesis or recital.
  5. Complete 13 credits from the following:
    1. MUS 601--Introduction to Graduate Study--3 credits
    2. Applied Music***--4 credits
    3. Music theory, music history, ethnomusicology, music literature and psychology of music--6 credits
  6. Complete at least 16 credits in a primary area of specialization, with the balance in a secondary area.
  7. Students majoring in vocal performance or music history must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language appropriate to the area of concentration. Proficiency will be determined by the student's graduate committee in conjunction with the linguistics and foreign languages department.
  8. Graduate students studying applied music and/or presenting recitals are governed by the same regulations concerning recital preparation, recital jury pre-hearings, and jury examinations as apply to undergraduate students. These regulations are described in the Music Handbook.
  9. Minimum credits required--30

* This preliminary exam, to help determine the areas of strength and deficiency, will cover the following areas: a) music theory, b) music history and literature, c) demonstration of keyboard proficiency, and d) performance in major area. Applicants will be accepted from any accredited institution; before admission to a degree program, however, all students (including UAF graduates) must take the preliminary examination.

** After completing about one-half of the program, students will meet with their committees in an oral advisory comprehensive examination. This will be concerned primarily with the progress the student has demonstrated, particularly with regard to determining the major area of specialization. Such specialization is not to be conceived narrowly as a thesis topic, but rather as a broad area in which students plan to spend an appreciable amount of their scholarly career. Advisory examinations may be repeated until such time as the student has satisfactorily defined the area of specialization. Each student, with the approval of the advisory committee, shall develop an appropriate final project or thesis. A thesis is required for students majoring in music theory and music history. Performance majors must present a graduate recital and prepare a supporting paper on selected aspects of the recital.

*** Private lessons at either the senior or graduate level. Committee may suggest further study if remedial work is deemed necessary.

Note: All 600-level courses are restricted to graduate students; however graduate students may elect some of their courses from upper-division undergraduate courses (300- or 400-level).