Eastern Michigan University
MusicDanceFutureStudents

Music Theory Graduate Placement Exam

 

All individuals applying for admittance to Eastern Michigan University's graduate music programs are required to take the Music Theory Graduate Placement Exam. This exam takes place on Department of Music and Dance audition dates. Students are encouraged to review from any standard undergraduate music theory text in preparation for the exam.The Music Theory Graduate Placement Exam may be taken only one time.

Topics include:

  • music fundamentals
  • triads
  • 7th chords
  • 9th, 11th, and 13th chords
  • secondary dominants
  • borrowed chords
  • Neapolitan sixth chord
  • augmented sixth chords
  • altered dominants
  • chromatic mediants
  • common-tone diminished 7th chords
  • Roman numeral analysis (of diatonic and chromatic chords)
  • nonharmonic tones
  • four-part voice leading
  • modulation
  • textures
  • cadences
  • phrases and periods
  • two- and three-part forms
  • species counterpoint
  • sixteenth-century motets
  • tonal counterpoint
  • eighteenth-century fugues
  • variation technique
  • sonata and rondo forms
  • non-tertian chords
  • set theory
  • twelve-tone technique


Students must achieve an acceptable score on the Music Theory Graduate Placement Exam prior to enrolling in MUSC 511, MUSC 512, MUSC 513, or MUSC 516. Students who fail to achieve an acceptable score must take MUSC 509 Graduate Theory Review (2 hrs), and receive a B or better in the course, prior to enrolling in MUSC 511, MUSC 513, or MUSC 516. MUSC 509 does not count towards degree requirements.