uky.eduCourses of Study for Graduate Degrees in Musicology
(for detailed requirements, please see the Graduate Bulletin)
Master of Arts in Musicology
Applicants for the M.A. in Musicology must meet entrance requirements of the Graduate School and the School of Music and must demonstrate strengths in music history and theory as well as skills in clear and persuasive writing. Students are required to submit a sample of their research and writing in the form of a research paper. Some background in musical performance is also expected.
Coursework
The M.A. usually requires three semesters of full-time coursework.
All students in this program must take MUS 618 – Research Methods in the first fall semester they are enrolled.
Students in this program usually take four musicology courses, selected from among graduate offerings at the 600 and 700 level (which may include doctoral seminars). In addition, they take two or three advanced courses in music theory and analysis.
Foreign Language
All students in the M.A. program must demonstrate reading knowledge of one foreign language. This is usually French or German, but may be another language appropriate to the students’ research interests. The Graduate School offers reading knowledge courses in French, German, and Spanish.
Thesis
All students in the M.A. program must complete a Masters Thesis, which must consist of original work in the field of musicology.
Final Examination
Upon completion of the thesis, students sit for a Final Examination (administered by a committee consisting of the student’s advisor, another musicology faculty member, and a faculty member in music theory). This oral examination consists primarily of a defense of the thesis, but also covers aspects of music history and theory.
Doctor of Philosophy in Musicology
Applicants for the Ph.D. in Musicology must meet entrance requirements of the Graduate School and the School of Music and must demonstrate refined strengths and skills in music history and theory, and must show ability to conduct music research and to write clearly and persuasively. Competence in musical performance is also expected. Applicants must submit a Master’s thesis or a research paper of significant scope that reflects quality of research and clarity of expression.
Coursework
The Ph.D. usually requires two full years of full-time coursework beyond the M.A.
The core of the course of study is the Seminar in Musicology. One seminar is offered each semester, taught in rotation by the members of the Musicology Division faculty (see a list of recent seminar topics). In addition, all doctoral students take a one-semester Pro-Seminar in Musicology and a one-semester course in Medieval and Renaissance notation. Students usually take two additional music history/music literature classes, according to their interests.
A strong grounding in music theory and analysis is essential to success in the field, so doctoral students in musicology usually take a theory course each semester. These may be selected from a variety of offerings, including seminars, history of theory, analysis, or theory pedagogy. Students with a particular interest in theory teaching may enroll in a prescribed series of courses and receive a Certificate in Theory Pedagogy.
Students who have not had a course in research methods at the Masters level (or had a course that is not appropriate for doctoral study) are required to take MUS 618 the first fall they are enrolled in the program.
Students with strong performance backgrounds are encouraged to maintain their skills, if their schedule permits, by taking lessons or performing in ensembles.
Foreign Languages
All students are required to demonstrate reading competence in two foreign languages, usually French and German (but others may be substituted depending on the student’s research interests). The University offers reading knowledge classes in French, German, and Spanish.
Qualifying Examinations
Upon completion of course work, students take Qualifying Examinations, including both written and oral portions. The written portion consists of two four-hour examinations in music history/literature, and one four-hour examination in theory and analysis. The oral portion is a two-hour exam that may expand upon the material of the written examinations or may cover other areas.
A guide to preparation for qualifying examinations may be found on the Musicology Resources page of this website.
Dissertation
Each student must write a dissertation that represents an original contribution to knowledge in the field of musicology. The topic is chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor and committee members. We welcome the selection of topics in any area of musicology (for an indication of the variety of topics see the lists of completed Ph.D.s and in-progress dissertations on this website).
While working on the dissertation, the student must register for two hours of residency credit each semester.
Upon completion of the dissertation, the candidate sits for a Final Examination, which consists principally of the dissertation defense, but is not limited to that topic.
Adisory Committee
Each student’s progress through the academic program is guided by an advisory committee, made up of the student’s advisor, two other musicology faculty members, a theory faculty member, and a faculty member from another department at the University of Kentucky outside of the School of Music.
The advisory committee assists the student in the construction of a course of study, administers the qualifying examination, advises on the research and writing of the dissertation, and, with the addition of an outside member appointed by the Graduate School, administers the Final Oral Examination (the dissertation defense).