academic catalogue

2023-2024 Catalogue

Master of Arts in Music

The M.A. in Music program at Wesleyan College equips musicians to practice their discipline in an increasingly digital and intersectional world. In keeping with the liberal arts tradition of the M.A. degree, this program will teach students to adapt to a quickly changing professional landscape, think critically and creatively about music, and develop practical skills in performance, collaboration, teaching, and technology use.

The program is designed to allow students maximum flexibility due to the mix of online and in-person options offered, up to 100% online. Students may enter the program in any of 5 entry points (mid-August, mid-October, mid-January, mid-March and mid-May) and take courses full or part-time to complete the 32 hours. Though a standard two-year plan is shown below, students may be able to complete the degree in as little as one year, or take longer as needed. Furthermore, individually scheduled courses (such as Collaborative Musicianship, Applied Lessons, Practicum/Internship, and Thesis/Recital) may be completed in an 8-week Summer Term.

The following learning outcomes will be assessed regularly:

  1. Collaborate effectively with others in a musical context;
  2. Demonstrate understanding of the relationship of music to the liberal arts and the place of music in larger social-historical context;
  3. Use technology effectively as tools in learning, creating, and teaching within the field of music.

Additionally, our coursework teaches graduates to make artistic and intellectual judgments about music in various contexts, demonstrate a professional level of competence for music instruction, and integrate technical performance skills and musical understanding in chosen area(s) of specialization.

Program Curriculum (Total 32 hours)

Core (23 credits):
  • MUS 500 Research Methods, 2 credits
  • MUS 510 Analytical Techniques, 3 credits
  • MUS 520 Technology and Video for Musicians, 3 credits
  • MUS 600 Music Pedagogy Seminar, 3 credits
  • MUS 610 Philosophy of Music, 3 credits
  • MUS 620 Advanced History/Literature Seminars (in chosen instrument), 3 credits
  • MUS 630 Practicum/Internship, 2 credits
  • MUP 541, 542, 543, 544 Collaborative Musicianship, 4 credits
Concentration (9 credits):
  • MUP 510-619 Applied Lessons (in a single instrument, composition or conducting), 6 credits
  • MUS 640-649 Master’s Thesis/Recital (in the same single instrument, composition, or conducting), 3 credits

Sample Course Schedule:

Fall I Split A
MUP 510-619 Applied Lessons 1 credit
MUP 541 Collaborative Musicianship 1 credit
MUS 500 Research Methods 2 credits
 
Fall I Split B
MUP 510-619 Applied Lessons 1 credit
MUS 510 Analytical Techniques 3 credits
 
Spring I Split A
MUP 510-619 Applied Lessons 1 credit
MUS 520 Technology and Video for Musicians 3 credits
MUS 630 Practicum/Internship 1 credit
 
Spring I Split B
MUP 510-619 Applied Lessons 1 credit
MUP 542 Collaborative Musicianship 1 credit
MUS 620 Advanced History/Literature Seminar 3 credits
 
Summer I
Available upon request for individually scheduled courses, including MUP 541/542/543/544, MUP 510-619, MUS 630 and MUS 640-649
 
Fall II Split A
MUP 510-619 Applied Lessons 1 credit
MUS 600 Music Pedagogy Seminar 3 credits
 
Fall II Split B
MUP 510-619 Applied Lessons 1 credit
MUP 543 Collaborative Musicianship 1 credit
MUS 630 Practicum/Internship 1 credit
 
Spring II Split A

MUS 610 Philosophy of Music 3 credits
MUP 510-619 Applied Lessons 1 credit

Spring II Split B
MUP 544 Collaborative Musicianship 1 credit
MUP 510-619 Applied Lessons 1 credit
or
Spring II Regular Term
MUS 640 Master's Thesis/Recital 3 credits

Summer II
Available upon request for individually scheduled courses, including MUP 541/542/543/544, MUP 510-619, MUS 630 and MUS 640-649
 

The Graduate Certificate Program in Music. The graduate certificate program in Music at Wesleyan College equips musicians to practice their discipline in an increasingly digital and intersectional world, while also creating a stepping stone for post-bachelor students who want to delve deeper into music study but are not yet ready to commit to a full-fledged Master’s program. In keeping with the liberal arts tradition of Wesleyan College, this program will teach students to adapt to a quickly changing professional landscape, think critically and creatively about music, and develop practical skills in performance, collaboration, and technology use. The program is designed to allow students maximum flexibility due to the mix of online and in-person options offered, up to 100% online. The certificate program consists of 12 credits and typically takes 8-12 months to complete. Students may enter the program in any of 5 entry points (mid-August, mid-October, mid-January, mid-March and mid-May).

Graduates of the certificate program will be assessed on the same learning outcomes as the master's program.

Program Curriculum 12 hours - To earn a graduate certificate, the student must complete all coursework, maintain a minimum 3.00 GPA and have no more than one C in a course.
  • MUP 510-619 Applied Lessons (in main instrument, composition or conducting) 3 credits
  • MUP 541/542/543 Collaborative Musicianship 3 credits
  • MUS 520 Technology and Video for Musicians 3 credits
One from the following options:
  • MUS 500 Research Methods 2 credits plus 1 additional credit of MUP 510-619 Applied Lessons or MUP 544 Collaborative Musicianship
  • MUS 510 Analytical Techniques 3 credits
  • MUS 620 Advanced History/Literature Seminar 3 credits
  • MUS 600 Music Pedagogy Seminar 3 credits
  • MUS 610 Philosophy of Music 3 credits
For those who wish to continue enrollment to seek the full master's degree, the GPA required for admission is a minimum 3.00 GPA and no more than one C in the certificate program.
 
Multiple Concentration Option:
Students entering the master's program will choose at least one concentration, with the option to complete multiple concentrations for every 9 credits of additional coursework in a single instrument Concentration (6 credits of Applied Lessons plus 3 credits of Thesis/Recital). All completed concentrations will be listed on the student's transcript.

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