An integration of studies in music and other supporting areas designed to broaden the student’s experience and knowledge in music and its application to a variety of professional and personal goals.
This program will provide opportunities for the student to:
- Deepen experience with and understanding of music.
- Engage in exploration of a broad range of church music topics.
- Extend capacities in musical creativity and performance.
- Broaden understanding of the relationship of music to other disciplines.
General Graduate Admission Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Concordia University Chicago graduate programs as published in the Concordia University Chicago academic catalog.
New students are accepted into most graduate degree-seeking, certificate, endorsement and/or post-graduate programs for online and on-campus study for in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Students seeking to change programs may do so by submitting a Change-of-Program quick app. Applicants must be in good academic standing according to Concordia University Chicago’s satisfactory academic progress standards and meet published program admission requirements at the time of requesting a program change. Program changes will be processed and recorded for the subsequent semester.
Program Specific Admission Requirements
In addition to the admission requirements above, candidates for the MA-Music will:
- Hold an undergraduate degree in music or its equivalent, with studies in the field of specialty.
- Show evidence of completing a senior recital, research paper or composition at undergraduate level.
- Pass entrance exams in music theory, aural skills and music history.
- Demonstrate performance ability by audition in instrument or voice.
- Demonstrate piano skills equivalent to the intermediate level.
- Articulate an area of interest in music, such as performance, piano pedagogy, composition or research.
Students with undergraduate deficiencies may satisfy the entrance requirements by taking undergraduate-level work, any available review courses, or by self-study and examination. Deficiencies in music theory, music history or aural skills should be removed by re-examination before the close of the second term of graduate study. Courses taken to satisfy deficiencies may not be counted toward the graduate degree.
Degree Requirements
Successful completion of 33 semester hours of coursework including the Master’s Capstone Experience. The Master of Arts in Music program may normally be completed in five consecutive summer terms.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational Music Studies | 11-12 | |
| Theory (3 hours) | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Composing for the Liturgy | ||
| Music Theory: Form & Analysis | ||
| Orchestration & Arranging | ||
| Music Theory: Counterpoint | ||
| History (3 hours) | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| The Literature of the Organ | ||
| Johann Sebastian Bach and the Baroque | ||
| Twentieth-Century Music Literature and Techniques | ||
| Research (3 hours) | ||
| Music Research and Bibliography | ||
| Mission Support (2-3 hours) | ||
| Music for the Contemporary Church | ||
| Traditions of Christian Hymnody | ||
| Studies in Christian Worship: Theology and Music | ||
| Musical Heritage of the Church (2 hours) | ||
| Music Support Courses | 10-11 | |
| Applied Music (2 hours minimum; at least two semesters of study) | ||
| Any 6000-level MUS or MUSA courses (8-9 hours) | ||
| Liberal Arts Courses | 6-11 | |
| Theology (3 hours) | ||
| Any 6000-level THY course (3 hours) | ||
| Other Liberal Arts Courses (3-8 hours) | ||
| Any 6000-level courses (including MUS) that support the area of study, by permission of the advisor | ||
| Written Comprehensive Examnination | 0 | |
| To be taken during the semester of, but prior to the completion of, the capstone project | ||
| Capstone Project | 1-6 | |
| Select one of the following options: 1 | ||
| Option 1: Thesis and Oral Defense | ||
| Master’s Thesis | ||
| Option 2: Independent Research Paper and Oral Defense | ||
| Independent Research | ||
| Option 6: Recital/Composition, Paper, and Oral Defense | ||
| Graduate Recital (Total Hours) | ||
or MUS-6521 | Graduate Composition | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
- 1
Credit for the capstone project will count toward requirements under music support courses or liberal arts courses as approved by the student’s advisor.
Graduation Requirements
- Have on file an application for this master's degree program.
- Have on file one official transcript from EACH college/university attended of all previous coursework taken.
- Complete, for the degree being sought:
- the credit hours and levels as designated,
- within the specified time limit,
- with grades of C- or higher (grades of C or higher required for MAT programs),
- with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Students completing multiple advanced programs or degrees at CUC must have a 3.0 GPA in each academic program in addition to a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Have on file approved “Graduate Transfer Credit Approval” form(s), "Course Substitution" form(s), or evaluation(s), if applicable.
- Have on file the Intent to Graduate/Complete form with the Office of the Registrar by the published deadline.
- Have on file, if applicable, necessary copies of a project, portfolio, thesis or dissertation.
- Approval of the faculty.
- All administrative obligations to CUC must be cleared in order to prompt the release of CUC transcripts and diploma(s).
Every attempt has been made to include information to aid the student with information about his/her program, degree and graduation/completion requirements. It is, however, the student’s responsibility to complete all steps and meet all deadlines relevant to graduation requirements.