Graduate Degrees, page 2
School of Music

Master of Music

This degree is granted by the School of Music.

Unit and Grade Requirements

Thirty units of graduate work are required; a minimum of 15 units (excluding thesis) must be at the 500 level or higher. All students must satisfy the special requirements of their major department (see departmental advisor). Students must complete at least 26 semester units at USC, including the thesis or recital. A grade point average of not less than 3.0 (A = 4.0) is required for all graduate courses in music, and a grade of B or higher is required for all courses in the major department. Students who transfer credits must achieve this average on all combined transferred and residence units.

Transferred Credits

All credits transferred must be the equivalent of corresponding current work at USC. Transfer work must have been completed within seven years from the date of admission to a master's degree program to be applied toward that degree.

Time Limit

All requirements for the Master of Music degree must be completed within five calendar years following the date on which the student is admitted to regular standing.

Thesis Requirements and Guidance Committees

A thesis is required of candidates for the Master of Music degree in composition and music education. For composition majors, it will consist of a work in three or more movements for four or more instruments; for music education majors, the thesis will consist of an extended written essay on a topic approved by the home department. Before registering for 594a Thesis, a student must choose a guidance committee composed of three regular faculty, approved by the department chair, of which at least two come from the home department. The chair of the guidance committee directly supervises the preparation of the thesis, the final acceptance of which is based upon the unanimous recommendation of all three members of the committee.

Master's Recital

At least one public recital is required of all candidates for the Master of Music degree with a major in choral music, composition, harpsichord, organ, strings or vocal arts. Two public recitals are required for majors in conducting, guitar, jazz studies, keyboard collaborative arts, wind and percussion instruments, and piano. Candidates should apply at the Music Operations Office for recital dates. Some departments require that a candidate be prepared to play or conduct the program for the approval of a faculty committee in advance of the recital.

Students majoring in conducting may complete the recital requirements with a formal public recital or with special projects assigned, approved and attended by faculty from the conducting department, who also judge the acceptability of all such performances.

Master of Music in Choral Music

Prerequisite

Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Music degree or its equivalent. Completed course work must include at least the following: Conducting 340, 343 and 441; Music History and Literature 280b and 385b; Theory and Composition 233b, 332b, 338x and 340x. One year of German or French is strongly recommended. Applicants must have attained senior standing in a principal performance medium.

Keyboard Proficiency

A keyboard proficiency test will be given by the choral faculty during the student's first semester in residence to determine if additional study in keyboard is required.

Final Oral Examination

A final oral examination in choral literature, conducting and rehearsal techniques will be administered by the choral music faculty.

Curriculum RequirementsUnits
MUCM 540 (2), 541 (2), 542 (2), 543 (2), 590 (2)10
MUCD 443 (2), 541 (6)8
Ensemble2
MUHL 570 (2), electives at 500 level (4)6
MUPF 441a (2), 401VO (2)4
Graduate recital0
____
30

Master of Music in Church Music

Prerequisite

Applicants must hold a Bachelor of Music degree or its equivalent. Completed course work must include at least the following: Conducting 340, 343 and 441; Music History and Literature 280b and 385b; Theory and Composition 233b, 332b, 338x and 340x. One year of German or French is strongly recommended. Applicants must have attained senior standing in a principal performance medium.

Keyboard and Voice Proficiency

Proficiency tests in keyboard and voice will be given by the choral and church music faculty during the student's first semester in residence to determine if additional study in either medium is required.

Final Oral Examination

A final oral examination in church music and related areas will be administered by the church and choral music faculty.

Curriculum RequirementsUnits
MUCM 540 (2), 541 (2), 542 (2)6
MUCH 470 (3), 473 (2), 474 (2) or MUPF 441a (2), 571 (2), 590 (2)11
MUCD 541 (4)4
Ensemble2
MUHL 570 (2), electives at the 500 level (2)4
MUPF 401 or 453 (OR or VO)3
Graduate recital or project0
____
30

Master of Music in Composition

Prerequisite

The applicant must hold a Bachelor of Music degree with a major in composition or theory.

Curriculum RequirementsUnits
Ensemble2
MUHL 570 (2), 578 (2), electives at the 500 level (4)8
MUPF 400 or 500 level in any performance medium4
MUTC 537 (8), 594ab (4)12
Electives in music or letters, arts and sciences (at least 2 units from the 500 level)4
Graduate recital0
____
30

Master of Music in Conducting

Prerequisite

The applicant must hold a bachelor's degree with a music major and have at least one year of experience conducting an orchestra. Class instruction in both choral and orchestral conducting is required.

Curriculum RequirementsUnits
MUCD 541 (2), 543 (2), 550 (8)12
Ensemble (preferably chamber music)4
MUHL 570 (2)2
One course from MUHL 573 (2), 574 (2), 575 (2), 576 (2), 577 (2), 578 (2) or MUPF 450 (2)2
MUTC 532ab (4)4
Electives6
Two graduate recitals0
____
30

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Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995
David Henriquez
univpub@stuaff.usc.edu