About This Program
Immerse yourself in the rich cultural associations of music with our Ethnomusicology graduate degree. Gain global coverage, theoretical perspectives, and opportunities to communicate effectively within and outside the field. Enroll now to start your journey towards a career in world music or continued doctoral studies. Read more...
Contact Information
Program Delivery
Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
- 5.6% faster than the average
- 116,300 number of jobs
- $69,690 potential earnings
Archivists
- 7.9% faster than the average
- 8,100 number of jobs
- $56,760 potential earnings
Curators
- 12.6% much faster than the average
- 14,500 number of jobs
- $56,990 potential earnings
Musicians and singers
- 0.9% little or no change
- 175,600 number of jobs
- $N/A potential earnings
Music directors and composers
- 1.7% slower than the average
- 58,000 number of jobs
- $52,250 potential earnings
Museum technicians and conservators
- 11.6% much faster than the average
- 14,800 number of jobs
- $45,710 potential earnings
Accreditation
National Association of Schools of Music
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
- Official transcript(s)
- Résumé
- Goal statement(s)
- Academic paper written in English
- Three letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
- Minimum 525 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
- Minimum 71 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
- Minimum 74 MELAB score
- Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
- Minimum 50 PTE score
- Minimum 100 Duolingo test score
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education’s admission website.
Application Deadlines
- Fall Semester
- Spring Semester
- Summer Term
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the program are able to:
- Recognize, identify, interpret and discuss theoretical concerns and important contributions of historical figures in the field of ethnomusicology, as well as representative music styles from different historical periods, countries and ethnic populations.
- Demonstrate and apply fieldwork techniques including proficiency with photography, videography and audio recording, interviewing and participant-observation research.
- Demonstrate the ability to plan and execute an efficient and productive lecture presentation in an academic setting for use at professional conferences, concert performances and classroom teaching that includes time management, clear and effective explanation, efficient use of multi-media and successful question and answer interactions.
- Utilize and discuss theoretical issues related to ethnomusicology and related disciplines, such as socio-cultural identity, semiotics, gender studies, politics and power, ritual studies, globalization and hybridity.
- Identify, explain and utilize performance pedagogy.
- Analyze compositional forms, appropriate to the specific vocal or instrumental areas of study.
- Display performance and interpretation skills in music.
Full Description
The Master of Arts degree in Ethnomusicology is designed to offer students a solid foundation in regional studies of music style, performance practice, history and cultural associations in order to prepare students for continued graduate studies at the doctoral level and/or public sector careers in world music. The program integrates theoretical perspectives relevant to the discipline with these practical aims, so that students can communicate effectively with persons within and outside the field of ethnomusicology.
While a balanced global coverage is emphasized, Kent State music faculty focus on studies in Central Africa, mainland Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Caribbean, North and South America and the Middle East, as well as popular music studies. Theoretical concerns include sociocultural identity, semiotics, gender studies, politics and power, ritual studies, globalization and hybridity, as well as studies in inter-related arts (e.g., dance and theatre).
