COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts degree in Music Theory at Kent State University is a comprehensive graduate program designed to develop advanced skills in music theory, preparing students for doctoral-level study or professional careers in music scholarship, analysis, and education. The curriculum builds on a solid foundation from an undergraduate music degree, emphasizing the integration of analytical, aural, written, keyboard, and pedagogical competencies. Students engage deeply with the pedagogy of music theory and develop proficiency in music research methods through courses such as Pedagogy of Music Theory and Music Bibliography and Research Methods. To ensure well-rounded professional growth, students select advisor-approved music electives and participate in music ensembles, reinforcing collaborative, performance, and applied skills alongside theoretical expertise. The program offers a broad range of music theory electives, covering historical and analytical traditions, including 16th- and 18th-century counterpoint, Schenkerian analysis, post-tonal theory, analysis of Western art music, world music analysis, history of music theory, and seminars in music since 1900. These courses provide students with both historical context and contemporary analytical techniques, allowing them to develop sophisticated approaches to musical analysis and interpretation. Complementing theory study, the curriculum includes music history electives such as Music of the United States, History of Jazz, Popular World Music, Seminar in Music History and Literature, and Music from World Cultures, cultivating a global and interdisciplinary perspective on music. The program culminates in a thesis, where students conduct original research and synthesize theoretical and historical knowledge, producing a scholarly work that demonstrates mastery in music theory and critical analysis. With a total of 30 credit hours required for graduation, the program balances rigorous coursework, research experience, and practical application, equipping graduates with the intellectual, analytical, and pedagogical skills necessary for careers in teaching, research, performance, or continued academic study in the field of music. The Music Theory M.A. emphasizes both depth and breadth, preparing students to contribute meaningfully to scholarship, education, and professional practice.