Admission
Admission to this area requires a bachelor's degree in music with a major in composition or the demonstrated equivalent. Background deficiencies must be satisfied before students may enroll in graduate composition courses. Applicants also must submit a portfolio including pieces — scores and live recordings (when appropriate) — demonstrating a variety of contemporary techniques, form and instrumentation. Approval for admission to candidacy is contingent upon the candidate’s demonstrated ability to complete a final project in composition.
Program Requirements
Students must complete the coursework listed below.
Students entering all MM programs will take a music theory assessment and are recommended to one of two music theory entry courses. The program requires a total of 32 credit hours, at least half of which must be in courses numbered 700 and above.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements for All MM Programs | ||
| MUSC 852 | Introduction to Bibliography and Research | 3 |
| MUSC 829 | Practical Application of Tonal Analysis | 2 |
| or MUSC 831 | Music Theory Pedagogy | |
| Musicology/Theory Electives | ||
| Select 7 credit hours from the following courses | 7 | |
| Form and Analysis | ||
| Performance and Analysis | ||
| Topics in Analysis: Music in Media | ||
| Topics in Analysis: Popular Music Analysis | ||
| Topics in Musicology: Aesthetics | ||
| Topics in Musicology: Ethnography | ||
| Topics in Musicology: Gender | ||
| Topics in Musicology: Popular Musics | ||
| Music Theory Pedagogy 1 | ||
| Seminar in Music Theory | ||
| Seminar in Music History | ||
| Composition Requirements | ||
| Graduate Composition Study (applied lessons) | ||
| MUSC 860 | Advanced Composition (repeatable for credit) | 4 |
| MUSC 875 | Thesis Research | 2 |
| MUSC 876 | Thesis | 2 |
| Other Composition Courses | ||
| Select 4 credit hours from the following courses | 4 | |
| Topics in Music Technology | ||
| The Art of Counterpoint | ||
| Orchestration | ||
| Choral Arranging | ||
| Music Composition for Film and Games | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select music or nonmusic courses 500 or above; may include applied lessons, ensembles, languages, etc. Courses must be approved by the faculty advisor. | 8 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 32 | |
In addition, students must complete composition of substantial proportions as a terminal project. Composition majors may be required by the thesis committee to have a work or works performed publicly. The final thesis score (where applicable) must be prepared using an approved professional music notation software and submitted digitally in keeping with the procedures established through the Graduate School of Wichita State University.
Applied Learning
Students in the Masters of Music in composition program are required to complete an applied learning or research experience to graduate from the program. The requirement can be met by the completion of a thesis ( MUSC 876) that includes an original musical composition of substantial breadth.