Ethnomusicology

The School of Music offers programs of study leading to the Master of Arts degree with areas of specialization in ethnomusicology, music history and literature (musicology), music education, and music theory; the Master of Music degree with areas in performance, composition, conducting, and music education; the Doctor of Philosophy degree with areas of specialization in ethnomusicology, musicology, music education, and music theory; and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree with areas of specialization in composition, performance, and conducting.

Doctoral students are required to complete 36 credits, including 12 credits of MUSC 899: Doctoral Dissertation Research. In addition, students are required to pass a foreign language exam.

Required courses include:

• MUSC 620: Analysis of World Music (3 credits)
• MUSC 679: Seminar in Ethnomusicology (3 credits)
• MUSC 679: Seminar in Ethnomusicology (3 credits)
• MUSC 438X: Area Studies in Ethnomusicology (3 credits)

Electives (12 credits)

The Doctor of Philosophy degree requires the satisfactory completion of a significant body of coursework that, in the student's and Graduate Advisor's judgement, prepares the student for the preliminary examination that leads to admission to candidacy, as well as certain specific courses required in each area of specialization. A grade of B- or better is required in all courses used to fulfill requirements for the degree. A dissertation (whether written, or in project form) is required for all doctoral degrees in music. A Principal Advisor for the dissertation will be chosen by the student and the academic advisor; the Principal Advisor and the student will then nominate the remaining members of the dissertation committee. The student must submit a detailed Prospectus of the dissertation to the members of the dissertation committee and the Graduate Director, and must be admitted to candidacy prior to the approval of the dissertation committee by the Graduate School. The dissertation must be successfully defended before the entire dissertation committee. The Doctor of Philosophy degree requires a Written Dissertation.

Requirements

Admission to the graduate degree programs in music is highly selective. It is determined primarily by a performance audition, tapes and scores of original compositions, scholarly research papers, letters of recommendation, and/or successful teaching experience; additionally, in some academic areas, the general GRE scores are considered. All non-native English-speaking students must achieve a score of 575/233/100 on the TOEFL to be invited for audition/admission (see the School of Music's admission website for detailed English language requirements).

1. GRE General for Ethnomusicology, Historical Musicology, Music Theory and Ph.D. Music Education applicants
2. 3 Letters of Recommendation
3. Audition/Interview (where applicable)
4. Repertoire/List of Performances (where applicable)
5. Research paper (where applicable)
6. Two scholarly papers or thesis chapters for Music Theory
7. Scores for Composition
8. Pre-screen recordings for flute, collaborative piano, solo piano, conducting, trumpet and vocal applicants. Please see our website, www.music.umd.edu, for further information.

We require a passing TOEFL score (minimum 100 IBT, 233 CBT, 575 PBT) for all applicants whose primary language is not English before we will process your application or consider you for a live audition. The requirement will be waived for applicants who have earned an undergraduate degree from an institituion in the United States or another approved English-speaking country.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Scholarships

A number of competitive fellowships, graduate assistantships, teaching assistantships, operatic assistantships, and orchestral assistantships are available. Preference for financial assistance will be given to those who have filed an application for admission to the University and the School of Music Supplemental Application by December 1 (for performance programs) and January 15 (for Music Education only) and have been officially admitted.