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Graduate Degrees - Musicology

The programs offered by the Musicology area are designed to prepare students for careers in teaching, research, publishing, and criticism. Degrees offered are the M.A. and the Ph.D.

A. General Admission Requirements

1. 3.0 minimum grade point average in undergraduate and graduate work to date.
2. Three letters of recommendation.
3. A sample of written research, such as a term paper or a senior thesis.
4. Students are expected to have some proficiency at the keyboard and a high level of ability in a performance area. A reasonable background in other fine arts, history, and literature is also required. Students lacking in these areas may be advised against seeking a degree in Musicology, or advised in ways to remedy the deficiencies.
5. The student is strongly urged to take the verbal and quantitative aptitude tests on the Graduate Record Examination, as well as the GRE Advanced Tests in Music.

B. Advisory Examinations in Music History and Music Theory

1. Before registering, entering graduate students must take the School of Music advisory examinations. These are given at the beginning of each semester immediately preceding the opening of classes. A description of the general content of these examinations is available in the Academic Office of the School of Music.
2. Students with deficiencies in music theory as indicated on the advisory examination must pass 25:240 Analytical Techniques, before they may register for any elective music theory course. Musicology students who are required to take 25:240 as a result of the examination may not count that course toward their degree requirements.
3. Students whose scores on the music history advisory examination indicate deficiencies must pass either or both 25:301-302 Advance Music History I-II, depending on their scores on each half of the exam, before they may register for any elective music history course. Musicoogy students who are required to take either 25:301 or 25:302 may not count either of these courses toward their degree requirements.

Master of Arts

Click for M.A. Degree Course Checklist for the musicology area.

A. Language Requirement

Proficiency in the ability to read musicological literature in either French or German. This requirement must be fulfilled before the M.A. final examination can be taken, preferably during the first year of residency. This requirement can be met in one of the following ways:

1. Successful completion of two semesters of a graduate-level reading course approved by the musicology faculty.
2. Two years of course work in French or German while enrolled as a graduate student.
3. Written examination administered by the musicology faculty. The exam will consist of a short article in the designated language, about which the student will answer a series of questions and of which he/she will translate a short excerpt.

B. Final Examination

The final examination will be written, and will cover general knowledge of music history and theory. The examination committee will consist of two faculty members from the musicology area and one from music theory or another area outside of musicology, chosen by the advisor in consultation with the student and approved by the musicology faculty.

C. Thesis 2 s.h.

Before the end of the second year of residency the student must present a thesis topic to the musicology faculty, along with the name of the advisor. When the faculty have approved the topic and the advisor, the student and advisr together will choose a committee, which will consist of two faculty members from the musicology area (including the advisor) and one from another area (within or outside the School of Music). The student then will submit to the committee a formal proposal, which will include a review of previous research in the topic, a justification for further work, an outline or table of contents, and a selected bibliography. The thesis must be completed within one year of passing the Final Examination.

Doctor of Philosophy

Click for Ph.D. Degree Course Checklist for the musicology area.

Residency: at least 3 years in a graduate college, including enrollment at the University of Iowa as a full-time student (9 s.h. minimum) in each of two semesters, or during semesters when the student holds a 25% assistantship, enrollment in 6 s.h. minimum for each of three semesters.

All review courses in music history and music theory required as a result of the entrance advisory examinations must be completed during the first year of study. During the first two years the student will take general courses in preparation for the qualifying examination. After successful completion of the qualifying examination the student will take courses in an area of speciality and in a secondary area in preparation for the comprehensive examination.

A. Admission to Candidacy

Qualification for candidacy for the Ph.D. will not be considered before the end of the second year of study. To advance to candidacy the student must have fulfilled the following requirements:

1. Removal of all course deficiencies in music history and theory, as determined by advisory exam at the time of initial enrollment.
2. Satisfactory demonstration of the ability to write clear, concise English, organize ideas into coherent and extended discourse, and express original thoughts on a level of competence appropriate to the Ph.D. This requirement will be satisfied by submission of research papers written at the University of Iowa.
3. Satisfactory performance in course work and other appropriate activities (such as service as a T.A. or R.A.).
4. Satisfactory performance on a written qualifying examination to be taken no sooner than the second year of full-time study at the University of Iowa, or completion of an M.A. in musicology at the University of Iowa within the last five years. The exam will test a general knowledge of music history, music theory, music literature, bibliography, and any other appropriate body of knowledge, and of the skills and aptitude necessary to complete the Ph.D. Students who fail to demonstrate the appropriate knowledge, skills, and aptitude on this qualifying examination may retake the exam in one of the following two semesters. Failure to pass the exam may result in dismissal from the program.
5. Upon successful completion of all of the above requirements, the student will be admitted to full candidacy for the Ph.D. in Musicology and should plan a course of study for the approval of his/her advisor.

B. Language Requirement

Proficiency in the ability to read musicological literature in French or German, and in two other languages chosen in consultation with the adviser and approved by the musicology faculty. The requirement for two of the three languages must be satisfied by the end of the second year of residency, and the requirement for the third language must be satisfied before taking the comprehensive examination. The requirement for each language can be met in one of the following ways:

1. Successful completion of two semesters of a graduate-level reading course approved by the musicology faculty.
2. Two years of course work in the language while enrolled as a graduate student.
3. Written examination administered by the musicology faculty. The exam will consist of a short article in the designated language, about which the student will answer a series of questions and of which he/she will translate a short excerpt.

C. Keyboard Proficiency

The ability to play at sight a simple chorale-style piece and a four-part open score must be demonstrated to the musicology faculty before the student takes the comprehensive examination.

D. Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination will be written and will cover the student’s area of specialization and a secondary area. The examination committee will consist of at least three faculty members from the musicology area and at least one from music theory, chosen by the advisor in consultation with the student and approved by the musicology faculty.

E. Ph.D. Dissertation

As soon as possible after advancing to candidacy the student must present a dissertation topic to the musicology faculty, along with the name of the advisor. When the faculty have approved the topic and the advisor, the student and advisor together will choose a committee, which will consist of three faculty members from the musicology area (including the advisor), one from another area in the School of Music, and one from outside the School of Music. The candidate then will submit to the committee a formal proposal, which will include a review of previous research in the topic, a justification for further work, an outline or table of contents, and a selected bibliography. The student will be required to defend the completed dissertation.

Last updated 8-oct-07