About This Program

Take your music composition skills to the next level. Our master's degree is designed to advance your creative skills and prepare you for doctoral study, with an emphasis on large-scale composition for various ensembles including orchestra, choir and band. Read more...

Contact Information

• Ben Lorenzo | blorenz1@kent.edu |
  330-672-2172

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

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)
• Portfolio of original compositions
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 50 PTE score
  • Minimum 100 DET score

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Summer Term
  • Rolling admissions

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Major Requirements
MUS 58251	PEDAGOGY OF MUSIC THEORY	2
MUS 61211	COMPOSITION (course is repeatable)	8
MUS 62411	MUSIC BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESEARCH METHODS	2
Music Ensemble		2
Music History Electives, choose from the following:		6
MUS 52131	MUSIC OF THE UNITED STATES
MUS 52161	HISTORY OF JAZZ
MUS 52181	POPULAR WORLD MUSIC
MUS 62171	MUSIC FROM WORLD CULTURES
MUS 62281	SEMINAR IN MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE
Music Theory Electives, choose from the following: 1		6
MUS 51141	16TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT
MUS 51151	18TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT
MUS 61131	SCHENKERIAN ANALYSIS
MUS 61173	WORLD MUSIC ANALYSIS
MUS 61174	ANALYSIS OF WESTERN ART MUSIC
MUS 61181	POST-TONAL THEORY
MUS 61191	SEMINAR IN MUSIC SINCE 1900
Culminating Requirement
MUS 68199	THESIS I 2	6
Minimum Total Credit Hours:		32

¹

Selection of music theory course is based on students' result from the theory placement exam. In the case of the exam results placing a student into MUS 51011 and/or MUS 51012, these courses will not count towards the M.A. degree and must be taken in addition to the music theory requirements.

²

Students writing a thesis must pass a final oral examination covering the thesis and the student’s major area of study. The final oral examination may be attempted two times.

Graduation Requirements

Graduation Requirements Summary

Minimum Major GPA	Minimum Overall GPA
-	3.000

• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Compile a body of completed compositions.
2. Demonstrate and apply compositional techniques for creation of new works, including musical style and structure.
3. Analyze music from a wide range of styles and style periods and communicate results in written and oral formats.
4. Recognize, identify and analyze representative literature from different historical periods, countries and composers.
5. Communicate knowledge of composition, theory and other aspects of music as would be done in classroom and private teaching.

Full Description

The Master of Arts degree in Music Composition is designed to advance the music composition creative skills of advanced students and prepare them for admission to doctoral study. The program emphasizes mastery of composition of large-scale works for media, including orchestra, choir, band and/or chamber music ensembles.

Based on a solid undergraduate music degree, the M.A. degree further develops abilities in music theory, including analytical, aural, written, keyboard and pedagogical skills. The program further develops breadth and depth in the area of music history and literature.