Graduate Music Theory Placement Exam

All individuals applying for admittance to Eastern Michigan University's graduate music programs are required to take the Graduate Music Theory Placement Exam. The exam will be scheduled near the beginning of the first semester of music study at EMU. Students are encouraged to review from any standard undergraduate music theory text in preparation for the exam. The Graduate Music Theory Placement Exam may be taken only one time.

Topics include:

  • Music fundamentals
  • Triads
  • Seventh chords
  • Ninth, 11th and 13th chords
  • Secondary dominants
  • Borrowed chords
  • Neapolitan sixth chord
  • Augmented sixth chords
  • Altered dominants
  • Chromatic mediants
  • Common-tone diminished seventh 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 Graduate Music Theory 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 (two 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.

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