Through continued development of performance skills and overall musicianship, the Master of Music degree is designed to prepare the graduate for a career in performance or teaching, or doctoral study.  A Bachelor’s degree in music is the prerequisite in order to pursue a Master of Music degree.

Comprehensive Exams General Information (degree specific guidelines on individual pages)

Oral comprehensive examinations provide a forum for MM and MA students to demonstrate: 

• A command of content in the major area of study 
• An ability to apply appropriate historical knowledge and theoretical skills to the major area of study 

They are normally taken during the fourth semester of full-time study, before a panel of at least three faculty members from the major area of study.  A common element of all exams will be responding to a small selection of score excerpts, which students will receive immediately before the exam, and approximately half of the exam time will be devoted to these excerpts. Students will not be permitted to use the Internet, via devices, computers, etc., to assist in their studying of the score excerpts.

Exams will be graded pass/fail, and no follow-up projects to remedy weaknesses exhibited during the exam will be permitted. If a student does not pass the exam, he/she will be allowed one retake the next semester. (not including summer)