Course Requirements
A minimum of 48 quarter hours of graduate credit is required for the Master of Music degree. This total is divided between the basic studies required of all master’s degree students, and courses in the specialization.
Music Education Core (16 credits)
Music Education Specialization (20 credits)
Music Education Electives (12 credits)
- Students may take any 400 level courses within the School of Music, selected in consultation with their advisors.
Terminal Requirements
Two terminal requirements are required of all students:
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A written comprehensive examination, in which the students must demonstrate a satisfactory knowledge of their major field of study. The comprehensive examination may be taken at any time after 32 quarter hours of graduate credit have been earned.
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The completion of a final project.
Residency Requirements
All courses for the master’s degree must be taken at DePaul University. Graduate credit for courses completed at other institutions may not be applied toward the degree.
The music education graduate program is designed to accommodate the schedule of working teachers, and students typically enroll part time for three summers and two intervening academic years. To earn full-time status, graduate students must be registered for a minimum of six quarter hours in any term. All requirements for the degree must be completed within six calendar years from the time a student is first enrolled. For students removing deficiencies, this period will begin when all deficiencies are removed and admission to the master’s degree program has been granted.
MUS 408
ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES
Investigation of various analytical approaches to music syntax, structure, style and texture (including timbral and vocal or instrumental configurations) as exhibited in representative compositions from many historical periods. Intended as an overview of theory/analysis for graduate students.
Prerequisites:
Status as a Graduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.COM 405
GRADUATE ANALYTICAL STUDIES
The study and practice of specific analytical techniques as related to specific works from the common practice period through the present day.
Prerequisites:
Status as a Graduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.JZZ 405
JAZZ HISTORY
Graduate level study of jazz history and the styles which contributed to the evolution of jazz. Topics include bebop period, swing era, the cool school, and hard bop periods. Significant recordings, musicians, and musical styles will be examined.
Prerequisites:
Status as a Graduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.JZZ 406
JAZZ STYLE AND ANALYSIS
Students will demonstrate a theoretical and aural understanding of the process of jazz improvisation, including song forms and structures, chord/scale relationships, and chord notation and phrasing. Select recordings of solo jazz improvisations will be analyzed, transcribed, and performed, supplemented by historical biographies of the recording artists.
Prerequisites:
Status as a Graduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.MUS 420
HISTORY OF THE ORATORIO
An analytical and historical study of oratorio literature from 1600 to the present.
Prerequisites:
Status as a Graduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.MUS 435
18th & 19th WIND HISTORY AND LITERATURE
A historical connection exists between wind music of the ancient and medieval periods, and the music of today. This course will trace that historical line, focusing on the 18th & 19th Centuries. The development of repertoire as well as the functions and uses of wind music will be explored. It is the intention of this class to address the needs of people who will perform, conduct, or teach "classical" wind music as part of a career. Emphasis will be placed on original music suitable for professional concert performance.
Prerequisites:
Status as a Graduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.MUS 436
20th CENTURY WIND HISTORY AND LITERATURE
The role of this course is to inform students of the development of wind music through the exploration of ensemble size and instrumentation, civic or artistic purpose, influential composers and conductors, and specific repertoire.
MUS 475
MEDIEVAL MUSIC
Historical survey of music from the Middle Ages: sacred and secular music as artistic, theoretical, and intellectual expression of the Middle Ages; history of musical styles to 1420; performance pratice issues
Prerequisites:
Status as a Graduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.MUS 478
RENAISSANCE MUSIC
Historical survey of music from the Renaissance. Musical style, compositional procedures, and performance practice are studied, within the social, political and economic environment in which the composers worked.
Prerequisites:
Status as a Graduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.MUS 479
BAROQUE MUSIC
Historical survey of Baroque music and performance practice. Representative examples of both vocal and instrumental music are studied, mostly using the analytical techniques of the period, with the aim of becoming familiar with the most significant manners of composition of Baroque composers.
Prerequisites:
Status as a Graduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.MUS 481
HISTORY OF OPERA
The course surveys the history of opera in western culture from its beginnings in the 17th century through the 20th century. The class materials cover stylistic trends and genres as demonstrated through seminal works. Each class period will contain a relevant analytical study.
Prerequisites:
Status as a Graduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.MUS 482
WORLD MUSIC CULTURES
This graduate course will provide a global musical perspective and widen the lens through which students experience music. Through lectures, listening, guest performances, and engaging discussion students will gain rich insights into new worlds of music.
Prerequisites:
Status as a Graduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.MUS 484
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Traces the development of musical style during the Classical Era through the analytical study of examples in the principal musical forms such as sonata form. Reception and performance practice then and now will be addressed.
Prerequisites:
Status as a Graduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.MUS 485
ROMANTIC MUSIC
Survey of nineteenth century music through a close analysis of representative Romantic works. The course will cover the expansion of both harmonic language and form leading to their eventual breakdown and reinterpretation.
Prerequisites:
Status as a Graduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.MUS 486
MUSIC SINCE WORLD WAR II
This course surveys Western art music and related theoretical and technical issues from near the end of World War II to the present focusing on the development of new musical languages, new instruments and new methods of analysis.
Prerequisites:
Status as a Graduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.MUS 487
20TH CENTURY MUSIC BEFORE WWII
This course surveys Western art music and related theoretical and technical issues from near the end of the 19th century to World War II, focusing on the new musical languages and aesthetics developed from 1890 until 1940.
Prerequisites:
Status as a Graduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.MUS 400
MUSIC RESEARCH
Introduction to music research types and techniques; bibliography and bibliographical sources; the development of writing skills; analysis of research examples.
Prerequisites:
Status as a Graduate Music student is a prerequisite for this class.MED 401
SEMINAR IN MUSIC EDUCATION I: PHILOSOPHY OF MUSIC EDUCATION
The courses are designed 1) to develop a philosophical and historical perspective of music education; 2) to study the psychology of music; 3) to study topics in curriculum design; 4) to encourage study and research in areas of student interest and need; and 5) to study contemporary issues in music education that can have significant impact on classroom teaching.
Prerequisites:
Status as a Graduate Music Education student is a prerequisite for this class.MED 402
SEMINAR IN MUSIC EDUCATION II: PSYCHOLOGY OF MUSIC TEACHING & LEARNING
The courses are designed 1) to develop a philosophical and historical perspective of music education; 2) to study the psychology of music; 3) to study topics in curriculum design; 4) to encourage study and research in areas of student interest and need; and 5) to study contemporary issues in music education that can have significant impact on classroom teaching.
Prerequisites:
MED 401 is a prerequisite for this class.MED 403
SEMINAR IN MUSIC EDUCATION III: CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT IN MUSIC EDUCATION
The courses are designed 1) to develop a philosophical and historical perspective of music education; 2) to study the psychology of music; 3) to study topics in curriculum design; 4) to encourage study and research in areas of student interest and need; and 5) to study contemporary issues in music education that can have significant impact on classroom teaching.
Prerequisites:
MED 402 is a prerequisite for this class.MED 404
HISTORY OF MUSIC EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES
This class will provide graduate music education majors with the opportunity to develop historical frameworks for their understanding of the teaching profession. Students will gain a perspective of music education history, in order to better understand the present and future. Students will be expected to question the nature and value of music, in order to gain a sense of purpose in your teaching. Throughout the quarter, historical issues will be addressed in relation to the practice of teaching.
MED 492
TECHNIQUES OF RESEARCH IN MUSIC EDUCATION
This course will examine the basic questions, issues and theoretical frameworks central to the purpose, conceptualization, conduct, writing, reading, and the use of educational research as a means for informing educational theory, practice and policy.
Prerequisites:
Status as a Graduate Music Education student is a prerequisite for this class.
MED 498
MASTERS CANDIDATE RESEARCH
Prerequisites:
Status as a Graduate Music Education student is a prerequisite for this class.