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Graduate Degrees in Music Theory

Anna Gawboy, area coordinator 

Faculty list 

 

Master of Arts 

The Master of Arts degree is an introduction to the field of music theory, focusing on the development of foundational research, writing, and teaching skills. Major area coursework includes music of the 18th–20th centuries, extended tonality, popular music, and video game music, as well as analytical methods and music theory pedagogy. As part of their degree, students also take supportive coursework in musicology, performance, composition, or related studies in the arts and humanities. The degree culminates in a master’s thesis. 

Curricular overview: 

  • Major area (Music Theory): 20 credits, including 6 credits of MUSIC 6999: Master’s Thesis
  • Supportive Studies: 8 credits
  • Related Studies: 0-2 credits 

 

Doctor of Philosophy 

The Doctor of Philosophy develops independent research skills in music theory, often with an interdisciplinary emphasis. As part of their major area of study, students take advanced seminars in music theory covering a range of musical parameters and repertoires, as well as research methods and music theory pedagogy. Explore our Graduate Courses of General Interest. 

Students may take supportive studies in musicology, music education, composition, or performance. Many also take offerings in:

Some elect to pursue a graduate minor, certificate, or interdisciplinary specialization to enhance their core disciplinary training in music theory.  

Doctoral students are required to cultivate two research skills directly related to their area of interest, which could include foreign languages, coding, game design, fieldwork, statistics, qualitative methods, motion capture, dance research, or archival methods. Students take a candidacy examination after their second year and complete their dissertations under the guidance of a research advisor, supported by a dissertation committee. Depending on a student’s area of specialization, the dissertation committee could include faculty drawn from musicology, jazz studies, hip hop, composition, dance, comparative studies, media studies, game design, education, psychology, or other fields.  

Curricular overview: 

  • Major area (Music Theory): 33 credits, including 6 credits of MUSIC 8999: Dissertation Research
  • Supportive and related studies: 17 credits 

A Community of Scholars 

Music theory and musicology combine to form a joint area within the School of Music. Our community is enriched by:

Teaching opportunities 

All graduate students develop a broad range of teaching strategies for the undergraduate music theory classroom through their appointments as teaching associates, and some complete the  Graduate Certificate in College and University Teaching. 

Research opportunities 

Several funding sources support student research and conference travel. Small grants are offered through area funds and The School of Music. Larger grants are offered through the following sources:

Career placement 

Graduates of our MA and PhD programs are working in a variety of music research and teaching positions within the academy and beyond. 

Browse profiles of recent graduates. 

Graduate Diagnostic Assessment 

All graduate students in the School of Music take Graduate Diagnostic Assessments in theory prior to enrolling in coursework. 

Questions? Email Anna Gawboy at gawboy.2@osu.edu