2022-2023 Bulletin: Program Requirements 
    
    Nov 21, 2024  
2022-2023 Bulletin: Program Requirements [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Music, MA


Students accepted into the Master of Arts in Music program are expected to attend the program’s concerts and lectures-recitals. In addition, students are encouraged to take part in the performance groups of The Claremont Colleges.

Degree Requirements

Coursework. A minimum of 32 units are required, except for concentrations in Historical Performance Practices, which requires 36 units. Core courses and other requirements are detailed within the concentrations.

Language Requirement. Depending upon the program of study or research interest, reading proficiency in French, German, Italian, or Latin is required. A second language is required of students majoring in voice and choral conducting. The language requirement must be completed prior to the scheduling of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Qualifying Examinations.  Exams are administered once every semester. All students are required to take and pass written and oral qualifying exams.  In the event of initial failure, students have a second opportunity to take the exams during the next semester in which they are enrolled.

Recitals and Projects.  All recitals and projects must be approved by the program faculty. Unless program approval has been given, students must be enrolled in individual lessons during the semester in which a recital is presented.

Transfer Credit. The University’s policies on transfer credit applies.  A maximum of six units are accepted and should be requested during the student’s first semester in the program. 

University Policies. Policies detailed in the current Policies and General Information Bulletin apply.

Admission. Admission requirements are detailed in the Admissions section of the current Policies and General Information Bulletin.

Concentration in Musicology


Additional Requirements


  • History courses (12 units)
  • Interdisciplinary course (4 units)
  • Master’s Thesis

Concentration in Composition


Core Courses (12 units)


 Courses from MUS 401-406 may be selected as an alternative to MUS 303.

Additional Requirements


  • MUS 380 - Seminar in Composition (8 units)
  • Master’s Thesis Composition

Concentration in Performance


Individual Lessons (8 units)


MUS 230-293

Additional Requirements


  • Electives (8 units)

Concentration in Historical Performance Practices


Additional Requirements


  • MUS 304 - History of Performance Practices (4 units)
  • MUS 230-293 - Individual Lessons (8 units)
  • Elective (4 units)
  • Recital
  • Master’s Thesis

School of Arts and Humanities Practical Experience Milestone


Students in all departments of the School of Arts and Humanities must meet the Practical Experience Milestone through one of the following:

  • A Teaching Assistantship
  • A Research Assistantship
  • An external teaching opportunity, in one or more semesters student is enrolled
  • A research project with CGU or Consortium Faculty (5C’s, KGI)
  • One or more articles prepared or prepared and submitted for publication, single or co­ authored
  • One or more academic book reviews prepared or prepared and submitted for publication
  • One or more exhibition proposals, prepared or prepared and implemented
  • A music recital
  • Completion of one or more semesters in Doctoral Studies that includes relevant work experience and/or progress on the doctoral dissertation
  • Preparing and submitting the MA thesis
  • Attending an Academic Conference (either to give a paper or as an attendee)
  • Doing an Internship (paid or unpaid, for credit or not for credit)
  • Additional employment or project that the department considers as providing appropriate professional training, particularly for students not considering the academic teaching track

Students must have their milestone approved by the department prior to the submission of their completed Final Approval Form. This milestone is to be completed during the time to degree at CGU (7 years for doctoral students, 5 years for masters students). Extensions of Time to Degree citing the milestone will not be approved. Students may have a maximum of 4 years of experience for the Practical Experience Milestone.