Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy Degree Requirements
Admission Requirements
Admission to the Master of Music in Piano Pedagoy degree is granted to students who meet the requirements of both the Graduate School and the Department of Music and Dance. Application for admission to the Graduate School should be made to the Graduate Admissions office, where undergraduate transcripts are evaluated. Transcripts should be forwarded to the office of Graduate Admissions at the time of application.
Application for Admission to the Department of Music and Dance
must be made to the Department of Music and Dance office. Admission requirements are as follows:
- Undergraduate degree in music, or its equivalent;
- Interview with appropriate applied music faculty;
- Two letters of recommendation;
- Audition on piano;
- Repertoire list;
- Written statement of teaching philosophy.
Music Theory Graduate Placement Exam
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 or who choose not to take the Music Theory Graduate Placement Exam 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 512, MUSC 513, or MUSC 516. MUSC 509 Graduate Theory Review does not count towards degree requirements.
Conditional Admission
Students deficient in a requirement for degree admission may be granted conditional admission, subject to removal of the deficiency, while beginning graduate study. Hours earned in making up deficiencies are in addition to those normally required for the degree.
Graduate Advising
Upon admission to the Department of Music and Dance, each student will meet with the graduate adviser for assistance in planning their curriculum.
Course Requirements
The M.M. in Piano Pedagogy requires the completion of 30 hours of course work to be distributed among Supportive Studies, Major Field, and Electives. Students are required to achieve a B or higher all Supportive Studies and Major Field courses. If a student earns a grade lower than a B in any course, he/she must retake the course, and receive a B or higher, before the credits for that course can be counted toward their degree.
Supportive Studies in Music (10 hrs)
MUSC Introduction to Graduate Studies (2 hrs)
MUSC 500 is a pre- or corequisite for MUSC 561 and all music history courses.
Four hours of music theory courses from the following:
See note above concerning Music Theory Graduate Placement Exam.
MUSC 511 Survey of Harmonic Techniques (2 hrs)
MUSC 512 Counterpoint (2 hrs)
MUSC 513 Form and Analysis (2 hrs)
MUSC 516 Schenkerian Analysis (2 hrs)
Four hours of music history courses from the following:
MUSC 504 America’s Music (2 hrs)
MUSC 505 World Music (2 hrs)
MUSC 631 Renaissance Music (2 hrs)
MUSC 632 Baroque Music (2 hrs)
MUSC 633 Music in the Classical Era (2 hrs)
MUSC 634 Music in the Romantic Era (2 hrs)
MUSC 635 Music Since 1900 (2 hrs)
MUSC 694 Seminar (music history) (2 hrs)
Courses in the Major Field (18 hrs)
MUSC 561 Studies in Literature (piano) (2 hrs)
MUSC 665 Elementary Piano Pedagogy (2 hrs)
MUSC 666 Intermediate to Advanced Piano Pedagogy (2 hrs)
MUSC 667 Group Piano Pedagogy & Technology (2 hrs)
MUSC 692 Final Project (2 hrs)
Applied Music (APED) at 652-level and above (8 hrs)
Electives (2 hrs)
Music or non-music courses selected in consultation with the graduate adviser.
Exit Requirements
In addition to Graduate School requirements, Department of Music and Dance requirements are as follows:
- Comprehensive Review in Piano Pedagogy.
All graduate students must pass an examination covering their major field of study. The examination may be written and/or oral in format, as determined by the student’s faculty committee. Written examinations will consist of three to five essay questions and must be completed in three hours or less. Oral examinations will last approximately one hour.
The examination will occur when the student’s prescribed course work is substantially completed, in the anticipated semester of graduation. In addition, the student must complete his/her thesis, recital, or other culminating experience prior to taking the examination. Exceptions to this policy may occur only with the approval of the student’s faculty committee and the Department Head. The examination will be graded Pass/Fail and can be taken no more than three times.
The examination will be evaluated by a committee consisting of the student’s faculty adviser, an additional faculty member from the major field, and a faculty member from outside the major field. The specific makeup of the faculty committee will be determined by the student in consultation with his/her faculty adviser, and must be approved by the Department Head. If a student is unable to form a faculty committee, it will be formed by the Department Head in consultation with the student’s faculty adviser.
- Final Project. (Video recording and written documentation must be supplied to the office of the Department of Music and Dance.) Choose one:
- Lecture-Recital.
- Recital with separate lecture or presentation for piano teachers.
- A 30-minute fluent reading of piano music of at least upper-intermediate difficulty for the piano faculty and a substantial paper that adds to the body of knowledge in the discipline and may result in a presentation or publication.
- Students must teach a minimum of two students each semester they are enrolled. Students who do not have their own studio will teach in the EMU Community Music Academy.
