Graduate music programs at Rutgers prepare students for music composition, musicology, or music
theory.The master of arts (M.A.) degree requires a minimum of 30 credits. For
students specializing in composition, the following courses are required:
16:700:501, 525, 526, 531, 532, 601, and 602. Another music theory course may
substitute for 525 or 526; 16:700:522 is highly recommended. Those
concentrating in musicology must take 16:700:501, 502, 519, 520, 525, and one
other theory class, and 602. The music history faculty recommends
that musicology students take one course outside the department. Theory students must take 16:700:501, 504, 519 or 520,
525 or 526, 571, 573 or 574, one other music history class, and 602.Before the end of the third semester,
students seeking an M.A. degree must demonstrate a reading knowledge of one
foreign language (German, French, Italian, or Latin). Those M.A. candidates who
plan to continue for a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree must demonstrate a reading knowledge of two
foreign languages before they complete their work in the M.A. program. One of
the two languages should be German, as this language is required for the Ph.D.
All candidates must pass a written comprehensive examination. Candidates in
musicology and music theory submit a master's essay. Those in composition
submit a work for chamber ensemble.
For admission to the Ph.D. program, applicants must have met
requirements for the M.A. degree or their equivalents. Applicants in musicology
should submit an essay giving evidence of their ability to engage in scholarly
research. Applicants in composition should submit a portfolio of their recent, representative
compositions. They may also provide works based on a traditional procedural
model, such as a motet, chorale prelude, invention, or fugue, although this is
not required. Ph.D. candidates in
composition must take 16:700:631, 632, 651, and 9 elective credits. Ph.D.
candidates in musicology must take 16:700:619, 620, 651, and 9 elective
credits. Ph.D. candidates in music theory must take 16:700:541, 542, 652,
and 9 elective credits. In
addition, a minimum of 24 credits in individual research is required for each
concentration. Students should have met all language requirements by the end of
the third year of graduate study. Students in musicology must show in a written
examination that they have a reading knowledge of French, German, and a third
language that is chosen with approval of the graduate director. Students in
composition and music theory must demonstrate by the end of their third year a
working knowledge of German and of one Romance language, which is chosen with
approval of the graduate director. As part of their graduate training, doctoral
students also are required to fulfill certain teaching duties under faculty
supervision. Before admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree, all students
must pass a written and oral comprehensive examination. For students in
musicology and music theory, a dissertation is required. Candidates in
composition must submit an original work of substantial proportion, along with
an appropriate critical or theoretical essay.
The master of philosophy degree is available to doctoral candidates.
The faculty cooperates with the M.A. program in theology, with a major
in music, offered by the New Brunswick Theological Seminary.
All students of composition (both M.A. and Ph.D. candidates) are
expected to participate in the Composer Forum (Practicum), a periodic meeting of
students and faculty that provides a setting for the performance and
discussion of students' music.
In addition to courses listed
below, a student may, with approval of the graduate director, receive
credit for certain upper-level, relevant undergraduate or graduate
classes offered by other departments. One example would be 01:730:365
Philosophy of Music, which is offered by the philosophy department.
Dual-Degree Ph.D./D.M.A. (Doctor of
Philosophy and Doctor of Musical Arts)
The dual-degree program in the music department at Mason Gross School of the Arts is designed for an accomplished performer who is also
an accomplished composer, music theorist, or musicologist and is qualified to
simultaneously earn a D.M.A. in performance and a Ph.D. in either composition,
music theory, or music history. The candidates for this program must be
separately accepted to both the D.M.A. and the Ph.D. programs in order to qualify
for the dual degree.
Programs, Faculty, and Courses 
