Program/Course Requirements

Students should consult the Graduate Program Director before registering in courses.

In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, Music, excluding qualifying courses, requires:

MUSI613, MUSI631 and MUSI641
one of MUSI641 or MUSI653
3-unit graduate Music course, and
6 units of approved graduate-level courses in any area.

No more than 6 units may be from independent study courses MUSI661 and MUED655.

Diagnostic tests in music history and theory will be given to all entering master’s students in order to determine if qualifying work in these areas is required. Qualifying work, if required, is normally completed in the first year of study.

Language

While there are no formal second-language requirements for the various programs of the Master of Music degree, students may be required to attain proficiency in a language other than English where this is deemed appropriate for the proposed thesis/project.

All master’s degree programs require a thesis or recital or project equivalent, prepared under the guidance of a supervisor and approved by the Music Graduate Studies Committee.

The thesis is interpreted to be either a substantial creative project and an accompanying descriptive essay related to the project, or a portfolio of creative work, the majority of which must have been created in the second year of residency, and an accompanying descriptive essay related to the portfolio. Normally, the project or portfolio will have been presented in a public recital prior to the thesis defence.

Additional Program Information

Completion requirement

Advanced Credit

The applicant must make advanced credit requests as part of the admission process. Credit will not be given for course work taken as part of another completed degree/diploma or for courses taken to bring the grade point average to a required level for admission.

Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade)

The Music program in the School of Creative and Performing Arts will not permit the Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade) for any course offered by the Music Program.

Students may not choose the CG grade for a course taken extra to load.

The use of the CG grade will affect students' eligibility for internal awards.

Time Limit

Maximum completion time is five years for the Master of Music programs.

Supervisory Assignments and Required Examinations

Completion requirement

Supervisory Assignments

The Graduate Program Director will function as the interim supervisor for all newly admitted students during their first term. This arrangement will allow students to use their first term as an opportunity to meet with faculty and to secure a permanent supervisor.

Required Examinations

A comprehensive oral examination encompassing all areas of the chosen field is required. This examination will take place following the completion of coursework and must be satisfactorily completed before the submission of the thesis/project.

Thesis Examinations

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements for Thesis Examinations, the program requires:

Scheduling of the Examination

All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student’s draft thesis document before an examination can be scheduled.

Composition of the Committee

Normally, the Internal Examiner is external to the home program.

Thesis examinations of written theses are open.

Financial Assistance

Completion requirement

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar and the program's website.

Master of Music (MMus) Thesis-based, Specialization in Composition

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Overview

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Program Details