B.M. in Performance and M.A. in Music Theory and History

INTEGRATED UNDERGRADUATE-GRADUATE DEGREES

Program Description
The School of Music offers an Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate degree program that combines the B.M. in Music and the M.A. in Music Theory and History.  This program enables a select number of students to further their research interests in music theory and music history at the undergraduate and graduate levels. By the end of the five-year program students receive two degrees, a B.M. in Music and an M.A. in Music Theory and History.

Candidates for this Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate degree must demonstrate a high level of aptitude and achievement in academic core courses (i.e., offerings in music theory and music history; see under Application Process) and be highly motivated to pursue research projects with music theory and music history faculty.

Modeled after a similar program in the Schreyer Honors College, this IUG program  enables gifted music students to double count credits in two degree programs.  As a result they will have developed a research focus during their fourth and fifth years, which will prepare them for entry into doctoral programs at other institutions.  (Penn State does not offer doctoral programs in Music Theory and History).  
 

Application Process
To initiate the application process, current B.M. in Performance students must complete the on-line graduate admission application (the new web address is http://gradsch.psu.edu/portal) and pay the application fee. The application fee is non-refundable. Information about the graduate application fee can be found at http://gradsch.psu.edu/prospective/apply.html. Applications without fees cannot be processed. All other application materials including the unofficial transcripts must be sent to the School of Music.

The next step is to submit two unofficial transcripts, two faculty recommendation letters, writing sample, and statement of goals. A faculty adviser will help undergraduate candidates determine a sequence of courses that will prepare them for acceptance into the IUG program. Normally a student applies after the fourth semester and before the end of the sixth semester. The following 500-level courses may be applied to both B.M. and M.A. degrees:

Music 531 Analytical Techniques
Music 532 Schenkerian Analysis
Music 533 Pedagogy of Undergraduate Music Theory/History 
Music 572 Musicology Seminar
Music 573 Integrative Seminar in Music Theory and History
Music 574 Seminar in Music Theory

For acceptance into the program students must successfully complete the following courses or their equivalent with a minimum average of 3.5 in their music courses, and a minimum GPA of 3.0.

4 semesters of music theory (131, 132, 231, 331)
4 semesters of musicianship (121, 122, 221, 222)
3 semesters of music history (162, 261, 262)

Assuming all undergraduate coursework has been completed, a student can still complete the undergraduate program if for any reason he/she is unable to complete the Master of Arts degree.

Reduced course load
As many as twelve of the credits required for the master's degree may be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree programs.  A minimum of 50% of the courses proposed to count for both degrees must be at the 500 level.  Thesis credits may not be double counted.

Eligibility for a Graduate Assistantship
Students in the IUG program will be eligible for a graduate assistantship starting in the beginning of the fifth year.

Tuition charges
Undergraduate tuition rates will apply as long as the student is an undergraduate, unless the student received financial support, for example, an assistantship requiring the payment of graduate tuition (from "Information and Guidelines for Establishing Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate Degree Programs" ­ approved by the Graduate Council, May 8, 1996).
 

Degree Requirements
IUG   M.A. in Music Theory and History sequence (34 credits)

Music 500 Introduction to Music Reference: 2 credits
Music 573 Integrative Seminar: 3 credits
Music 573 Integrative Seminar: 3 credits
Music History*: 6 credits
Music Theory**: 6 credits
Music 533 Pedagogy of Theory and History: 2 credits
Electives: 6 credits
Music 600 Thesis: 6 credits
TOTAL: 34 credits

* Chosen from 461W (Antiquity to 1600), 462W (1550-1750), 463W (1700-1900), 464W (1850-present), 497 (Special Topics in Music History), 572 (Musicology Seminar).

** Chosen from 431 (Advanced Tonal Analysis) 433 (Special Topics in 20th-Century 
 Theory), 471 (16th-Century Counterpoint), 472 (18th-Century Counterpoint), 531 
 (Analytical Techniques), 532 (Schenkerian Theory and Analysis), 574 (Theory
 Seminar).

 

Example of a 5 year plan for an IUG program for a
B.M. in Performance and an M.A. in Music History and Theory

4th YEAR

FALL
Applied performance    Music 043J    Applied performance    3
Theory elective        Music 531     Analytical Techniques  3
Music elective         Music 572     Seminar in Musicology  3
Ensemble               Music 504     Chamber Singers        1
Gen. Ed.: Soc/Beh Sci  Psy 003       Intro. to Learning     3 
Gen. Ed.: Arts         ArtH 112      Survey of Western Art  3
Gen. Ed.: Science      Meteo 003     Intro. to Meteorology  3
                                                          ___
                                                           19

SPRING
Applied performance    Music 048J    Applied performance    3
General music          Music 101     Common Hour            1
Music electives        Music 462W    Stud Music: 1550-1750  3
Music electives        Music 433     Adv Anal 20th-Cen Mus  3
Music electives        Music 435     Score Reading          1
Ensemble               Music 503     Concert Choir          1
Gen. Ed.: Humanities   Engl. 185     The Modern Novel       3 
Gen. Ed.: Nat. Sci     Astro 010     Elementary Astronomy   3
                                                          ___
                                                           18
 

5th YEAR  (student on a half-time assistantship)

FALL
Music History elect    Music 463W    Stud Mus: 1700-1900    3
Music elective         Music 532     Schenkerian Th/Anal    3
General Music          Music 500     Intro. Mus. Ref/Rsrch  2
Thesis                 Music 600     Thesis                 3
                                                          ___
                                                           11

SPRING
Music History elect    Music 462W    Stud Mus: 1550-1750    3
Music Seminar          Music 573     Integrative Seminar    3
Music Pedagogy         Music 533     Pedagogy of Th/Hist    2
Thesis                 Music 600     Thesis                 3
                                                          ___
                                                           11