Music Theory MA

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The program in music theory builds upon a curriculum that is deeply rooted in the best theoretical traditions, while also exploring innovations in the field. Our working assumption is that the goal of music theory is to serve music, and that the best theorists are those who have the most interesting things to say about the music they care about. Graduate seminars in tonal theory constitute parallel streams for all graduate students, culminating in analysis seminars and theoretical projects.

Required Core (16 credits)

MUS 613SEM - Analyzing Popular Music Credits: 4
MUS 614SEM - Discourses in Music Theory Credits: 4
MUS 621SEM - Topics in Tonal Theory and Analysis Credits: 4
MUS 629SEM - Analyzing Twentieth- and Twenty-First Century Music Credits: 4

Music History (12 credits)

MUS 615SEM - Discourses in Musicology Credits: 4
And select two courses from the following list:
MUS 515SEM - Music and Queer Studies Credits: 4
MUS 517SEM - Music, Gender, and Sexuality Credits: 4
MUS 525SEM - Popular Music Studies Credits: 4
MUS 526SEM - Studies in Music History Credits: 4
MUS 527SEM - Music and Modernity Credits: 4
MUS 528SEM - Media, Memory, and Notation Credits: 4
MUS 529LEC - Studies in US Music Credits: 4
MUS 530LEC - Experimental Music Credits: 4

Colloquium (8 credits)

MUS 500SEM - Colloquium Credits: 4 Taken for 2 consecutive semesters.

Culminating Experience: Exam AND Portfolio (2 credits)

Complete once for portfolio and once for comprehensive exam, capstone for 1 credit each:

MUS 600TUT - Tutorial Credits: 1 - 12

Total Credit Hours: 38

3.0 Degree GPA required

Instruction Method

In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

Full/Part Time Options

Full Time

Credits Required

38 Hours

Time-To-Degree

2 Years

Application Fee

$75

Program Contact

Maria Portera
380 Academic Center
Buffalo, NY 14261
Email: mportera@buffalo.edu
Phone: 716-645-6242
Fax: 716-645-3808

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).

Online programs/courses may require students to come to campus on occasion. Time-to-degree and number of credit hours may vary based on full/part time status, degree, track and/or certification option chosen. Time-to-degree is based on calendar year(s). Contact the department for details.