Music

Graduate Degrees

The Master of Music and the Doctor of Musical Arts are offered with tracks in performance, conducting and music education.

Master of Music Degree (M.M.)

Three tracks are offered: Performance, Conducting, Music Theory Pedagogy and Music Education. The Performance, Music Theory Pedagogy, Choral Conducting and Instrumental Conducting tracks require a minimum of 30 credits; the Music Education track requires a minimum of 30 credits.

The M.M. in performance and conducting is the professional degree in music designed for performers and conductors wishing to augment and refine their skills. The primary purposes of the MM option in Music Theory Pedagogy are (1) to add to the breadth of the experiences for our graduate students and (2) to make them more attractive candidates in their job searches, especially those seeking teaching positions in higher education. The M.M. in Music Education is designed for music teachers who wish to update and increase their practical pedagogical knowledge.

Applications may be completed online at www.ndsu.edu/gradschool. A complete application will include three recommendations, transcripts and a scholarly writing example. Applicants should notify the graduate music coordinator, charlette.moe@ndsu.edu, of their intention to apply. For applicants in performance and conducting, an on-campus visit and audition are required. Following acceptance into the masters program, applicants will complete a diagnostic exam, which will be used by their advisers to plan appropriate coursework.

All coursework must be passed with a minimum grade of B. Comprehensive written examinations in the student’s primary area and in music academic studies must be passed near the end of or after coursework. The final oral examination (administered by the student’s committee) occurs after the written comprehensive exam.

Conductors and performers will prepare a recital as their capstone experience. Those in the music education track will complete a written practicum. Both experiences will be planned with guidance by the candidate’s committee. The committee will include three graduate faculty members: the adviser, a representative from music academic studies, and at least one other music faculty member.

Master of Music in Music Education Degree

NDSU’s Master of Music in Music Education is designed with flexibility and personal attention especially for professional educators working in the K-12 schools. All courses are offered online; the degree can be completed in five semesters or up to seven years. Coursework can be focused on elementary, choral/vocal or instrumental music education. Credits may be transferred from other institutions pending approval. The typical capstone activity is a four-credit practicum; no thesis is required. Students are required to register for at least six credits per calendar year until all degree requirements, which include written and oral comprehensive exams, are completed.

Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.)

The D.M.A. is the terminal professional practical degree in music, designed for performers and conductors wishing to acquire the highest performance abilities. Graduates will have attained the academic qualifications generally accepted for teaching at the college level.

Entering students in the vocal performance track are expected to have appropriate language proficiencies in French, German, and Italian. Remedial work may be required upon recommendation of the adviser and committee.

Recitals and a final written project are planned in conjunction with the candidate's committee, which consists of at least four members: the adviser, a representative from the student's major area, a member from music history or music theory, and a Graduate School Representative.

All course work must be passed with a minimum grade of B. Qualifying examinations in the student's primary focus area and in academic studies must be passed near the end of or after course work, and prior to a final oral examination by members of the candidate's committee. All D.M.A. graduates must have reading proficiency in at least one foreign language. For some, an alternative such as a computer language or other research skill, if appropriate to the student's focus area, may be substituted. This proficiency will be determined and assessed by the candidate's committee. Further, students in Choral Conducting must demonstrate appropriate proficiency in foreign language diction.

Two tracks are offered: Performance and Conducting. Each track requires a minimum of 90 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree. Students entering the program with an approved master's degree or its equivalent may apply credits toward the D.M.A. The graduate music faculty will determine the viability and number of transfer credits.

Additional information about graduate study at the Challey School of Music may be found at www.ndsu.edu/performingarts/music/graduate/.