Musicology

The Master of Arts in Musicology is a dynamic program designed for students who are passionate about understanding music in all its cultural depth and complexity. This program emphasizes critical thinking, research, and writing, offering a broad selection of courses that span classical and vernacular traditions, Western and non-Western music, and a variety of interdisciplinary approaches. You'll study music in its historical, analytical, and cultural contexts, guided by faculty who are active scholars in the field.

The program culminates in a master’s thesis on a topic of your choosing. You'll be encouraged to explore questions that challenge convention, deepen understanding, and contribute original ideas to the field. If awarded a Graduate Teaching Assistantship, you’ll receive valuable teaching experience by giving you immediate access to the classrooms of our undergraduate musicology courses. You’ll also have the option to pursue a dual degree with any Master of Music concentration, combining cultural context and critical thinking skills from this program with performance, composition, or conducting.

Graduates of this program go on to rewarding careers in higher education, performance, composition, music publishing, arts leadership, and more—equipped with the tools to think critically, research thoroughly, and communicate the meaning and power of music across time and cultures.

A master's thesis may draw on topics from a variety of sub-disciplines, including: 

• Historical musicology
• Popular music studies
• Jazz history
• Ethnomusicology
• Music technology