INTEGRATED UNDERGRADUATE-GRADUATE DEGREES

B.A. in Music and M.A. in Music Theory and History

Program Description
The School of Music offers an Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate degree program that combines the B.A. in Music and the M.A. in Music Theory and History.  This program enables a select number of students to further their research interests in music theory and music history at the undergraduate and graduate levels. By the end of the five-year program students receive two degrees, a B.A. in Music and an M.A. in Music Theory and History.

Candidates for this Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate degree must demonstrate a high level of aptitude and achievement in academic core courses (i.e., offerings in music theory and music history; see under Application Process) and be highly motivated to pursue research projects with music history and music theory faculty.

Modeled after a similar program in the Schreyer Honors College, this IUG program  enables gifted music students to double count credits in two degree programs.  As a result they will have developed a research focus during their fourth and fifth years, which will prepare them for entry into doctoral programs at other institutions.  (Penn State does not offer doctoral programs in Music Theory and History). 
 

Application Process
To initiate the application process, students must submit a transcript, faculty recommendation, writing sample, and statement of goals.  A faculty adviser will help undergraduate candidates determine a sequence of courses that will prepare them for acceptance into the IUG program.  Normally a student applies after the fourth semester and before the end of the sixth semester.  The following courses may be applied to both B.A. and M.A. degrees:

Music 531 Analytical Techniques
Music 532 Schenkerian Analysis
Music 533 Pedagogy of Undergraduate Music Theory/History 
Music 572 Musicology Seminar
Music 573 Integrative Seminar in Music Theory and History
Music 574 Seminar in Music Theory

For acceptance into the program students must successfully complete the following courses or their equivalent with a minimum average of 3.5 in their music courses, and a minimum GPA of 3.0.

4 semesters of music theory (131, 132, 231, 331)
4 semesters of musicianship (121, 122, 221, 222)
3 semesters of music history (162, 261, 262)

Assuming all undergraduate coursework has been completed, a student can still complete the undergraduate program if for any reason he/she is unable to complete the Master of Arts degree.

Reduced course load
As many as twelve of the credits required for the masterís degree may be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree programs.  A minimum of 50% of the courses proposed to count for both degrees must be at the 500 level.  Thesis credits may not be double counted.

Eligibility for a Graduate Assistantship
Students in the IUG program will be eligible for a graduate assistantship starting in the beginning of the fifth year.

Tuition charges
Undergraduate tuition rates will apply as long as the student is an undergraduate, unless the student received financial support, for example, an assistantship requiring the payment of graduate tuition (from "Information and Guidelines for Establishing Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate Degree Programs" ? approved by the Graduate Council, May 8, 1996).
 

Degree Requirements

IUG   M.A. in Music Theory and History sequence (34 credits)

Music 500 Introduction to Music Reference: 2 credits
Music 573 Integrative Seminar: 3 credits
Music 573 Integrative Seminar: 3 credits
Music History*: 6 credits
Music Theory**: 6 credits
Music 533 Pedagogy of Theory and History: 2 credits
Electives: 6 credits
Music 600 Thesis: 6 credits
TOTAL: 34 credits

* Chosen from 461W (Antiquity to 1600), 462W (1550-1750), 463W (1700-1900), 464W (1850-present), 497 (Special Topics in Music History), 572 (Musicology Seminar).

** Chosen from 431 (Advanced Tonal Analysis) 433 (Special Topics in 20th-Century 
 Theory), 471 (16th-Century Counterpoint), 472 (18th-Century Counterpoint), 531 
 (Analytical Techniques), 532 (Schenkerian Theory and Analysis), 574 (Theory
 Seminar).

 

Example of a 5 year plan for an IUG program for a
B.A. in Music and an M.A. in Music History and Theory

4th YEAR

FALL

Selections in history/theory  Music 431   Advanced Tonal Analysis 3
Selections in history/theory  Music 531   Analytical Techniques   3
Music elective                Music 523   Sonata Duos             1
Gen. Ed.: Arts                ArtH 112    Survey of Western Art   3
Gen. Ed.: Humanities          Engl. 185   The Modern Novel        3
Gen. Ed.: Science             Earth 100   Environment Earth       3
                                                                ___
                                                                 16

SPRING

Selections in history/theory  Music 573   Integrative Seminar     3
Music elective                Music 510J  Applied music (piano)   2
General music                 Music 101   Common Hour             1
Senior Project                Music 476W  Senior Project          3
Gen. Ed.: Science             Meteo 003   Intro. to Meteorology   3
Gen Ed.: Quantification       Math 017    Finite Math             3
Gen. Ed.: Soc/Beh Sci         Psy 003     Intro. to Learning      3
                                                                ___
                                                                 18
 

5th YEAR  (student on a half-time assistantship)

FALL

Music History elective        Music 463W  Stud/Music: 1700-1900  3
Music elective                Music 532   Schenkerian Th/Anal    3
General Music                 Music 500   Intro to Mus Ref/Rsrch 2
Thesis                        Music 600   Thesis                 3
                                                               ___
                                                                11
 

SPRING

Music History elective       Music 462W   Stud/Music: 1550-1750  3
Music Seminar                Music 573    Integrative Seminar    3
Music Pedagogy               Music 533    Pedagogy of Th/Hist    2
Thesis                       Music 600    Thesis                 3
                                                               ___
                                                                11