Music History and Literature

Program Director

Dr. Ewelina Boczkowska
Bliss Hall 3025
(330) 941-1833
eboczkowska@ysu.edu

Program Description

Master’s degrees are offered in music education, music performance, music history, music the­ory/composition, and jazz studies through the Dana School of Music, which was founded in War­ren, Ohio, in 1869 as Dana’s Musical Institute. A member of the National Association of Schools of Music, Dana currently enrolls 300 undergraduate and graduate students. The Dana School of Music is designated an All-Steinway School, featuring 68 Steinway pianos in addition to six mechanical action organs, two harpsichords, an electronic music laboratory, and 80 acoustically treated practice rooms, all housed in the $6 million Bliss Hall. In addition, the University library contains a large music section, especially notable for its collected and scholarly editions, while the Multimedia Center holds several thousand recordings, and practical edition scores

Successful completion of 30 semester hours and all requirements specific to each degree.

Upon admission and before the start of the first semester of graduate study, each student must take a diagnostic examination in music history and music theory. Students who score at least 70% on the theory diagnostic exam will test out of the remedial 6921 Graduate Analysis I.

Students who score below 70% on the music history test will be required to take a music history seminar as one of the seminar electives. Failure to take the diagnostic examinations will result in the addition of 6921 Graduate Analysis I and one music history elective within the degree.

Students will take core courses in Philosophies of Music (6977), Graduate Analysis II (6922), and Research in Music (6960), 15 s.h. of seminar electives (at least 6 s.h. in MUHL), as well as Thesis I (6990) and Thesis II (6991). A thesis and an oral defense of the thesis are required. Thesis students who have completed all requirements but have not defended the thesis are required to register for one hour of 6991, if they expect to receive advisor or committee assistance or utilize University services (e.g., library, computer, parking, and so forth).

All students must take and pass an exit exam in one of the core requirements and two seminars, at least one in area. The exit exam is scheduled for late March or early April.

Students must maintain a minimum grade-point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) to remain in “good standing.” Any course grade of D or F must be repeated and passed with a grade of A or B and no more than 6 semester hours of coursework with a grade of C may count toward the minimum graduation hour requirements.

Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of specialized knowledge of at least one era of Music History (MUHL). Assessment: EXIT EXAM
2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of specialized knowledge of at least one aspect of Music Theory (MUTC). Assessment: EXIT EXAM
3. Students will demonstrate research skills and techniques through the creation of an original scholarly project. Assessment: THESIS DEFENSE
4. Students will demonstrate the ability to write in a scholarly manner about their area of specialization within music. Assessment: THESIS DEFENSE

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to graduate study in the Master of Music degree must present a baccalaureate degree in music from an accredited college or university. Admission requires a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.7 (on a 4.0 scale).

A representative writing sample is required.