Master of Arts in Music

Western Michigan University

The Master of Arts degree is a graduate research degree culminating in a written thesis and public presentation. Examples of areas of focus can be music history, music theory, ethnomusicology, historical performance practice, or music technology. Interdisciplinary collaboration with subjects related to music is encouraged. The MA may be completed as a stand-alone, two-year masters degree or as part of a 5-year accelerated degree program combined with a bachelor’s (BA in Music, BM, BMA, or BS in Multimedia Arts and Technology) degree.While all MA theses must involve a written document of original research and some type of public presentation, there are four options to allow for flexibility in a student’s course of study: A) a substantial written thesis with a public lecture presenting some portion of the written thesis B) an extended composition for instrumental, vocal, and/or computer-implemented media and a significant essay dealing with some aspect of music related to the composition, one or both of which must be presented in a public recital or lecture C) a full-length lecture recital with accompanying program notes and a significant essay dealing with some aspect of music related to the recital or D) a substantial creative project (e.g., multimedia project, computer program, recording, or website) and a significant essay dealing with some aspect of music related to the project, one or both of which must be presented in a public lecture.

College of Fine Arts