The School of Music offers training toward two specific master’s degrees: Master of Music and Master of Music Education. Major subjects in the Master of Music curriculum are music performance, music history, or theory/composition. The Master of Music Education program allows an applied music minor in an instrument, voice, or conducting. The music history and theory divisions offer basic instruction for all students at the undergraduate level as well as advanced study for those wishing to pursue graduate work in these fields .

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, the following specific requirements must be met:

• To be admitted to the Graduate Division of the School of Music, the applicant should possess a baccalaureate degree in the area (or an equivalent one) to be pursued in advanced studies.
• Applicants must meet the specific entrance requirements established by the major department.
• Applicants are required to take entrance examinations in music history, literature, and theory. Students may be required to take, without credit, courses in which they are deficient as indicated by the examination results.
• All full-time students are required to enroll in Bibliography and Research Methods (MUS 607) within their first two semesters of graduate work. Part-time students must enroll in MUS 607 before registering for more than ten (10) hours of graduate work.
• Graduate applicants to the School of Music must submit GRE scores with the application form.

The School of Music provides each student with guidelines to assist in preparation for the entrance exams and a copy of the Handbook for Graduate Music Students. Students are expected to read the School of Music handbook and the University Graduate Catalog and to follow regulations and procedures regarding their specific degree program at the University of Louisville. In particular, students are advised to observe the request for submitting GRE scores for admission to the Graduate School. Graduate study in music begins with the preparation for the entrance examinations in Music History and Music Theory and concludes with the graduate oral exam that is taken when all requirements have been met.

General Information

In addition to the general degree requirements described in the General Information section of the Graduate Catalog, the following degree requirements must be met:

• The student shall obtain permission from the Graduate Division Committee to begin work at the graduate level.
• All students must qualify for non-conditional status no later than the end of the second semester of full-time residence, or before eighteen (18) semester hours have been completed.

1. proof that all deficiencies in music history, literature and theory have been removed;
2. an academic record with a minimum of nine (9) hours of graduate credit with a grade point average of 3.0;
3. an inclusive program of studies fulfilling the requirements of a master’s curriculum, approved by the major professor and the departmental chairperson;
4. in the case of a program requiring a master’s thesis or professional paper, a proposed topic for the thesis or paper and a proposed membership for a reading committee to provide guidance during the writing of the thesis or paper. [See bullet seven (7) below]

• As per the Graduate School requirements, at least half of the required credits for the master’s degree must be at the 600 level, excluding thesis, internships, or practicums.

• In order to be in good standing, graduate students must have a cumulative 3.0 grade point average. A student must be in good standing in order to graduate. No more than six (6) hours with a "C" or "C+" grade will be accepted toward a degree, and no grade below a "B-" will be accepted in a major subject. A student whose cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on probation by the Graduate School. Students are ordinarily not permitted to continue on probation for more than one semester.
• The School of Music does not accept transfer grades below a “B”. No credit is transferred for applied music. Advanced standing for applied music may be awarded at a jury. Music history and theory credits will be evaluated for transfer by the Director of Graduate Studies and the respective faculty. Ensemble credits appropriate to the new degree program may be considered for transfer, but not to exceed one per semester.
• Degree candidates in performance are required to give a public recital, normally during the candidate’s final semester of study. Preparation and presentation of the recital shall follow the guidelines in the Handbook for Graduate Students.
• Degree candidates in music history or theory and composition are required to submit a thesis or major composition for evaluation by the reading committee. The M.M. Thesis in music composition takes the form of a musical score. Apart from considerations such as page size and layout, composition theses conform to the guidelines issued by the Graduate School. The deadline for formal approval of M.M. composition theses is the last day of classes in the semester in which the degree is expected to be conferred. Approval signatures of all members of the thesis committee are required prior to the final graduate oral examination.
• All students are required to pass an oral examination given by the Graduate Committee before the end of the semester in which the degree is to be granted. It may cover all areas of endeavor undertaken by the student in his graduate program or believed essential to the student’s background.
• A candidate who fails the oral examination at the end of a semester may not be given a second one before the regular time for such an examination at the end of the next semester or summer session. A candidate who fails in the second oral examination shall not be granted the degree of M.M. or M.M.E. from this university.
• In comparing degree programs, please note that among universities, many times ensembles are required, but without credit. Our required ensembles are included in the number of required degree hours.
• Part-time students (with the exception of those in M.M.E. degree programs) must participate in one ensemble for each 18 hours of course work completed. If part-time study precludes completing ensemble degree requirements, other course work may be substituted.
• Transfer of more than 6 hours from a degree program of an accredited institution in which a degree has been previously earned will only be granted on recommendation of the student’s division and approval of the Director of Graduate Studies in consultation with the Graduate Committee. The request will be considered provided that the additional hours have not been earned by extension and that the University of Louisville minimum residency requirements have been met as stated in the Graduate Catalog.
• Transfer of graduate hours within the University of Louisville toward a graduate degree in music may be requested with the restriction that the minimum residency requirement be maintained in compliance with the Graduate Catalogue.
• Hours earned beyond the minimum in any one curricular area apply only to that area and cannot be divided in order to satisfy a requirement in another area.

Prerequisites

1. Bachelor of Music degree or equivalent.
2. Demonstration, by examination, of skills and capacities in the following fields:
   • written, aural, and keyboard harmony;
   • melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic dictation;
   • elementary counterpoint; and
   • history and literature of music, and analytic understanding of musical forms and genres.
3. Evidence of preparation for advanced work in the area, as follows:
• Applicants to the track in Music Theory must submit a portfolio that incorporates a theoretical or analytical component. In addition, compositions should be submitted if available.
4. GRE scores. 

Core Curriculum

• Music History Review (MUS 500)* 0
• Music Theory Review (MUS 400)* 0
• Bibliography and Research Methods (MUS 607) 3
• Music History Seminar (600 level)** 3
• Music Theory 4
• Additional Music Theory or Music History Seminar (500 or 600 level) 3
• Analysis (MUS 647, 648, 651, or 653) 3
• Ensemble (3 semesters of major ensemble) 3
• Thesis 4

Total................................……….….23

Other Requirements

All students must pass an oral examination after all course work is completed.

Music Theory Track

• Pedagogy of Theory (MUS 641) 2
• Additional Music Theory 1
• Advanced Composition*** 6
• Graduate Composition Seminar (MUS 669 - Co-requisite for Advanced Composition) 0
• Digital Techniques I (MUS 667) 2
• Music Electives 2

Total ......................…………..13

Minimum Total………………………………..36

* These courses may be satisfied by passing the entrance examinations in these areas.

** Students in the Theory Track should take Foundations of Music Theory (MUS 652).

***To be chosen from MUS 543, 544, 643, 644 as determined by the composition faculty. Students enrolled in 500 level Advanced Composition are required to present public performances of their original works totaling at least 8 minutes of music; students enrolled in 600 level Advanced Composition present public performances of at least 8 minutes of music per semester.

Robert Amchin
Professor
Division Head-Music Education and Music Therapy
Distinguished Teaching Professor

Jack Ashworth
Professor
Director of Early Music Ensemble
Distinguished Teaching Professor

Jean Christensen
Professor
Director of Graduate Studies
Division Head-Music History

Anne Marie de Zeeuw
Professor
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Area Coordinator-Music Theory
Distinguished Teaching Professor

Christopher Doane
Professor
Dean

Donn Everette Graham
Professor

Brenda Kee
Professor
Area Coordinator-Keyboard

Herbert Koerselman
Professor

John LaBarbera
Professor   

Naomi Oliphant
Professor
Associate Dean
Distinguished Teaching Professor

Steve Rouse
Professor
Division Head-Music Theory and Composition

Marc Satterwhite
Professor

Frederick Speck
Professor
Director of Bands

Edith Davis Tidwell
Professor
Area Coordinator-Voice
Distinguished Teaching Professor

Michael Tracy
Professor
Division Head-Jazz Studies   

Michael Tunnell
Professor
Distinguished Teaching Professor

Barbara Wheeler
Professor
Director of Music Therapy
University Scholar

Greg Byrne
Associate Professor

Kent Hatteberg
Associate Professor
Director of Choral Activities
University Scholar

Bruce Heim
Associate Professor
University Scholar

John Jones
Associate Professor
Division Head-Applied Studies   

Kimcherie Lloyd
Associate Professor
Division Head-Ensembles and Conducting
Director of Orchestral Studies and Opera

Seow-Chin Ong
Associate Professor

J. Patrick Rafferty
Associate Professor

Brett Shuster
Associate Professor

Dallas Tidwell
Associate Professor

Gerald Tolson
Associate Professor   

Paul York
Associate Professor

John Gibson
Assistant Professor

Julia Shinnick
Assistant Professor

Krista Wallace-Boaz
Assistant Professor   

Daniel Weeks
Assistant Professor
University Scholar

Jerry W. Ball
Professor Emeritus

Doris Owen Bickel
Professor Emeritus

Paul R. Brink
Professor Emeritus

Melvin Dickinson
Professor Emeritus

Francis Fuge
Professor Emeritus

Karl-Werner Guempel
Professor Emeritus

Lee Luvisi
Professor Emeritus   

Daniel McAninch
Professor Emeritus

Peter McHugh
Professor Emeritus

Acton Ostling
Professor Emeritus

Richard Spalding
Professor Emeritus

Robert Weaver
Professor Emeritus