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Interdisciplinary Studies M.A. (Music as first field)

The Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with Music as the primary field is intended to develop a breadth of knowledge and competency in the discipline of music, combined with coursework in two additional academic fields. The program offers students a flexible design that cuts across disciplinary boundaries, while providing a curricular core in music history, theory, research methodology and applied skills. Through exposure to a variety of research methods, historical perspectives, and modes of inquiry, the program promotes advanced scholarship that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries.

Normally, students seeking admission to the MAIS (Music Primary) program should hold a Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Arts in Music, or a related degree. In addition, students must meet all requirements for admission to graduate study, perform an entrance audition on their principal performing medium before a faculty committee or submit a portfolio of compositions, and demonstrate proficiency through departmental entrance/advisory exams.

Degree Requirements

The degree plan consists of the following components:

  1. Music Core: 18 credits
    1. MUSI 5301 Introduction to Graduate Music Research
    2. MUSI 5315 Symphonic and Operatic Literature
    3. MUSI 5321 Advanced Analytical Techniques
    4. MUAP 52xx Applied study in primary instrument/voice/conducting (4 credits)
    5. MUEN 51xx Music Ensemble (2 credits)
    6. MUSI 5300 Graduate Music Practicum
  2. Graduate Music Electives: 6 credits 
  3. First Outside Field: 6 credits
  4. Second Outside Field: 6 credits
  5. Total Degree Plan: 36 credits

As with other MAIS plans, the following requirements also apply:

  1. A total of 36 semester hours of graduate work. No more than six semester hours of undergraduate courses approved for graduate credit may apply to this degree. A student may transfer a maximum of 9 semester hours of graduate credit in which a grade of "B" or better has been earned from approved institutions. All transfer work is subject to approval by the student's advisor.
  2. Electives may be chosen with the advisor's approval.
  3. A minimum grade-point average of 3.0 in each of the three fields and a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 in all graduate work. No course with a grade below "C" may be applied toward this degree.
  4. No more than six semester credit hours in independent study courses.
  5. Successful completion of a written, comprehensive examination over the fields of study shown in the degree plan. This examination will be administered and evaluated by the student's examination committee.

Examination Committee

The examination committee must have a minimum of three faculty members including the student's chief advisor, who chairs the committee and is a faculty member in the predominant field of the student's degree program, and one faculty member from each of the remaining two fields of that program.