Suggested Plan of Study

The program for the Master of Music in Piano Performance provides studies for the performer and teacher-scholar. The program requires a minimum of 32 semester credit hours of advanced graduate study after completion of a baccalaureate degree in music with piano as the major or principal instrument. The applicant must be sufficiently prepared to begin studies at the Music 7802 level. Deficiencies may be removed by additional preparatory course work assigned by the advisor. 

The program described below is not rigid. It is intended to indicate both the nature of the course work and the usual elements for fulfilling the requirements for the MM degree. The student's actual course work will be designed to provide a well-rounded total program, including depth in the major area and breadth in supportive studies.    

Each student selects a program of study in consultation with an advisor. It must include a reasonable concentration and breadth of study designed to foster research, scholarship, and knowledge of a specialty in relation to allied academic areas, must be approved by the advisor, and is subject to the rules of the Graduate Studies Committee. At least 50% of the courses must be designated graduate study only (courses at the 6000-8000 level).

Major Area of Concentration — 20 total credit hours   

Core Courses (required) 

• Music 7802.11 — Applied Music (2–4 credit hours, repeatable to 12 credit hours) 
• Music 7852.05 — Performance Literature: Percussion (2 credit hours, repeatable to 4 credit hours)
• Music 7805.01 — Master’s Thesis Recital (2 credit hours)
• Music 7805.02 — Master’s Degree Recital: Concerto (2 credit hours)

Supportive Studies — 12 total credit hours

Ensembles — 4 total credit hours

All students pursuing the MM in Piano Performance must register for an ensemble experience each semester in which they take eight or more hours. Regardless of number of hours taken, MM piano performance students must have a minimum of four registrations from the following:

• Music 7208.XX — Small Ensembles 
• Music 7780.05 — Piano Accompanying Practicum 

Research — 3 total credit hours

• Music 6786 — Music Research Methods and Bibliography 

Musicology — 2 total credit hours

• Music 5649 — Western Art Music II

Electives — 3 total credit hours

Chosen from Musicology, Conducting, Music Education or Music Theory

Minimum Total Semester Credits — 32 credit hours

Questions? Email mus-grad@osu.edu.