Music (Ethnomusicology), MA
arts, audio, cultural, ethnic
Discover music from the many world cultures as you participate in multisensory learning experiences to explore instruments, identities and geographic locations of music. Work closely with faculty mentors in a variety of ethnomusicology specializations, including Middle Eastern, Latin American, Southeast Asian and popular music.
The MA program in music with a concentration in ethnomusicology helps students develop skills in scholarship and performance as they focus on aspects of one or more of the world's musical cultures.
Students can learn from traditions outside the Western European canon through participation in ensembles such as Javanese gamelan, Latin marimba, mariachi, steel pan and African drumming.
As a culminating demonstration of professional capability in the major field, students must submit a final project that demonstrates advanced competence in research and writing in musicology or ethnomusicology. The final project may be a thesis, a series of special papers or a written work of equivalent scope and depth.
- College/school:
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
- Location: Tempe
30 credit hours, a thesis, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam and a foreign language exam
Required Core (13 credit hours) Electives (11 credit hours) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Completion of diagnostic exams in musicology and music theory is required of all new graduate music students before they enroll in courses for these programs through the School of Music, Dance and Theatre. This is tracked internally within the academic unit. A passing grade on a foreign language exam or a grade of "B" or better in a designated reading course through the School of International Letters and Cultures is required for graduation. Additional information on degree requirements for this degree is available on the curriculum check sheet located at the bottom of the school's degree page.
MHL 532 Music Bibliography (3)
MHL 668 Introduction to Ethnomusicology (3)
MUP 587 Ethnomusicology Ensembles (2)
music theory (5)
music electives (6--9)
open electives (2--5)
MHL 599 Thesis (6)
At least 20 credit hours for the program must be in the field of ethnomusicology or related fields approved by the student's advisor, complemented by courses in music theory, performance and cultural anthropology, as listed above. Appropriate elective coursework is reviewed and approved by the academic unit prior to inclusion on the student plan of study.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution or from an international institution officially recognized by that country.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00= "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00= "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- School of Music, Dance and Theatre application, including a resume, personal statement and writing sample
- three letters of recommendation
- official transcripts
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. The School of Music, Dance and Theatre does not offer conditional admission under any circumstances.
A bachelor's degree in music is not required for admission to a master's program. However, all applicants without a bachelor's degree in music should contact MDTAdmissions@asu.edu for information on potential remedial courses. Remedial courses may be taken at ASU, another accredited university or a community college before or after admission to this program, but they must be completed prior to starting graduate-level course requirements in music history and music theory.
Students should see the program website for application deadlines.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Final |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:
- Students will be able to write research papers applying the conventions of scholarly discourse in music.
- Students will be able to apply, in written and oral exams, a synthesis of knowledge of a chosen or designated field of inquiry within ethnomusicology.
- Graduates of the MA in music, ethnomusicology concentration, will be able to implement a large-scale independent research project that makes a unique contribution to the discipline of ethnomusicology.
Musicians with expertise in performing, composing, teaching and researching; in arts advocacy; and in serving as therapists are in high demand across many sectors and industries, including performing arts organizations, educational institutions, entertainment companies, health and wellness industries, and community arts organizations. Skills such as creativity, collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship, as well as the focused discipline needed for success as a musician, are all highly valued by a wide range of companies and professions. School of Music, Dance and Theatre graduate programs inspire and empower students to become creative leaders who transform society through music.
Career examples include:
- arts administrator
- community arts advocate
- ethnomusicologist
- performing musician
- public or community school teacher
- university professor
School of Music, Dance and Theatre
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MUSIC E167
mdtadmissions@asu.edu
480-965-5069
Admission deadlines
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
