Nov 07, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Master of Music


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The M.M. degree is a 32-semester hour program consisting of 13 semester hours of core requirements plus 19 semester hours taken within one of three specializations: music education, music performance, or individualized study.

Check departmental information for any additional requirements.

The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.

Admission


Normally, a baccalaureate degree in music or a diploma from an accredited conservatory or music school is required for admission to the M.M. program. In special circumstances, applicants whose undergraduate degree is in a field other than music may be admitted to a specific specialization within the M.M. program. Other admission requirements will vary, depending upon the specialization that is selected.

Music Education: Applicants are admitted to this specialization only upon the recommendation of a committee of the music education faculty after an interview and transcript evaluation. Students accepted in music education must take the School of Music diagnostic examinations in music theory and history administered immediately prior to the term for which they are admitted.

Performance: Applicants are admitted to this specialization only upon the recommendation of a committee of the performance faculty after an audition and transcript evaluation. Students accepted in performance must take the School of Music diagnostic examinations in music theory and history administered immediately prior to the term for which they are admitted.

Individualized Study: Applicants are admitted to this specialization only upon the recommendation of a committee of the music faculty after an in-depth examination for competence in music and/or other applicable fields. Depending upon the nature of the proposed course for study, the evaluation committee may require an applicant to take all or part of the School of Music diagnostic examinations in music theory and history, and/or other specialized diagnostic examinations, administered immediately prior to the term for which he or she is admitted.

Applicants for admission to the M.M. program are not required to take the General Test of the GRE. Applicants whose current preparation for advanced study is found to be deficient may be granted admission to the M.M. program with stipulations, and they will be required to make up all such deficiencies. Applicants who are admitted to the M.M. program in a specific specialization and who then wish to change to another specialization must meet all admission requirements for the new specialization before the change is approved. Applicants for admission to the M.M. program are normally notified of an admission decision as soon as administratively feasible following completion of all Graduate School and School of Music entrance requirements.

Requirements


In partial fulfillment of graduate requirements, a student pursuing the M.M. degree in the performance specialization must prepare and perform a full-length public recital. Students pursuing the M.M. degree within the music education or individualized specializations may present a formal public recital, write a thesis, or complete a final project.

Students in the specializations of music education and performance are permitted to take 6 semester hours of selected studies in music (MUTC 798, MUHL 798, MUSP 798, MUED 798) as part of their program of courses. Students in the individualized specialization may take 12 semester hours of selected studies in music (MUTC 798, MUHL 798, MUSP 798, MUED 798) as part of their program of courses.

All students pursuing the M.M. degree must fulfill the following core requirements.

Core Requirements (13)


Each student must also fulfill the requirements of one of the following specializations.

  • A course in music history approved by the music history area coordinator in consultation with the music history faculty (3)
  • A course in music theory approved by the music theory area coordinator in consultation with the music theory faculty (3)

Specialization in Music Education (19)


See also “Educator Licensure” in this section and “Educator Licensure Information” in the Educator Licensure page.

  • Music education course work (6-9)
  • Music performance course work chosen from private keyboard, voice, or instrumental study (primary or secondary); music performance (including conducting); and/or ensembles (3)
  • Electives (4-7)

Specialization in Performance (19)


One of the following tracks

1. Band and Orchestral Instruments


  • Private instrumental study (8)

2. Piano


One of the Following (11)


Solo Performance

  • Private keyboard study (2)
  • Electives (4)
Keyboard collaborative arts

  • Electives (6)

3. Voice


  • Private voice study (8)
  • Electives (6)

Individualized Specialization (19)


A student may design an individualized specialization with course work selected from existing courses, seminars, independent study, internships, or special projects, offered both on and off campus. While this individual specialization may share some features of other specializations, its thrust should be distinctive. Individualized specialization may consist in part of interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary courses which combine music study with such areas as anthropology, art, business, computer science, dance, theater, electronics, ethnic studies, mental health, or special education; or they may concentrate entirely on music. Examples of individualized specializations pursued by M.M. students include music history, music theory, composition, world music, jazz, recording techniques, and computer music and new media technology.

After acceptance, each student will be assigned an advisor with whom he or she will prepare an individualized proposal. This proposal must be approved by a committee representing the School of Music, which may in turn seek the advice of another department whose courses are included in the proposal. Normally, at least one half of the individualized specialization will be in the School of Music. At the conclusion of study, the student must substantiate to the committee that the specified goals have been met.

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