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The Music Department offers courses leading to the MA with a major in music and supporting courses for the MA with a major in liberal studies. Within the MA with a major in music, students may elect one of two concentrations: general music or music education. Students who elect music education must choose between instrumental or vocal/choral emphases.

The graduate programs in music are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.



Required Application Materials

Applicants for the MA with a major in music and a general music concentration may be permitted to enroll for one semester of graduate course work while completing all other general application procedure requirements.

Applicants for the MA with a major in music and a general music concentration must submit all of the following documentation to the College of Graduate Studies, Jacksonville State University, 700 Pelham Road North, Jacksonville, Alabama 36265-1602, to be considered for admission:

  1. Completed JSU Graduate Application for Admission   (http://www.jsu.edu/graduate/grad_app.html)
  2. Non-refundable $30.00 application processing fee
  3. Official transcript(s) from all postsecondary institutions attended. (Students who have previously attended JSU do not need to request a transcript from        the University.
  4. Official test scores on the General Test of the GRE or the MAT (please refer to page 18 of this Bulletin).
  5. Three “Graduate Reference Forms” completed by individuals who can provide qualitative assessment of the applicant’s potential for success in  graduate course work. This form is available in the office of the College of Graduate Studies or online at http://www.jsu.edu/graduate/forms.html  or http://www.jsu.edu/graduate/docs_ref.pdf.      
  6. If English is not the applicant’s native language, the applicant is required to submit an official TOEFL score report, an IELTS score report or a PTE score report.


Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting general admission requirements of the College of Graduate Studies, applicants must complete a qualifying examination given by the Music Department. The examination requires students to demonstrate competence in the theory of music and practical keyboard skills, knowledge of the history and literature of music and an applied music audition.

Applicants for the concentration in music education must hold a teaching certificate in the appropriate field. 

Applicants who do not currently possess a teaching certificate who wish to attain teacher licensure may elect to pursue the alternative fifth-year program, leading to the MA with a concentration in either instrumental or vocal/choral music. Completion of this program leads to eligibility for fifth-year (master’s) teacher certification in the appropriate concentration. Students must meet admission requirements for the alternative fifth-year certification program.

Applicants must meet one of the following admission formula requirements.  For purposes of computing the undergraduate GPA, a 4.0 grade-point scale is used. The plus (+) and minus (-) grades from undergraduate transcripts are not used in calculating the GPA.



Unconditional Admission

General Music Concentration

450 times the undergraduate GPA plus the total score of verbal and quantitative sections of the General Test of the GRE is equal to or greater than a total of 1600 points;

OR 

15 times the undergraduate GPA plus the MAT score is equal to or greater than a total of 60 points;


Music Education Concentration

450 times the undergraduate GPA plus the total score of verbal and quantitative sections of the General Test of the GRE is equal to or greater than a total of 2100 points;

OR

15 times the undergraduate GPA plus the MAT score is equal to or greater than a total of 80 points;




Conditional Admission

General Music Concentration

Any applicant failing to meet the requirements for unconditional admission may be conditionally admitted with the recommendation of the graduate faculty in the applicant’s major and approval of the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies.

Applicants who are granted conditional admission must achieve a GPA of at least 3.0 on the first 12 graduate hours attempted within a twelve-month time frame. Failure to meet these conditions will result in the student being dropped from graduate studies. 


Music Education Concentration

Any applicant failing to meet the requirements for unconditional admission may be conditionally admitted with the recommendation of the graduate faculty in the applicant’s major and approval of the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies.

Applicants who are granted conditional admission must achieve a GPA of at least 3.0 on the first twelve graduate hours attempted within a twelve-month time frame. Failure to meet these conditions will result in the student being dropped from graduate studies. 



Minimum Requirements



All three MA programs (MA with a major in music: general music emphasis; MA with a major in music: music education emphasis in instrumental or vocal/choral, P-12; and the alternative fifth-year MA with a major in music: music education emphasis in instrumental or vocal/choral, P-12) require successful completion of the following group of courses:

 

Select one from the following:

Required Music Courses (16 semester hours):
MU 511
Research Methods (3)
Select one from the following:
MU 505     Music Literature: Medieval-Renaissance (3)
MU 506     Music Literature: Baroque Era (3)
MU 507     Music Literature: Classic-Romantic (3)
MU 508     Music Literature: Contemporary Era (3)
Select one from the following:
MU 509     Seminar in Choral Music (3)
MU 512     Seminar in Instrumental Music (3)
Select one from the following:
MU 520     Music Theory: Style Analysis (3)
MU 521     Music Theory: Style Analysis (3)
Select from among the following (4 semester hours):
MU 519     Advanced Conducting (3)
MU 534     Individual Applied Music (2)
MU 535     Individual Applied Music (2)
MU 580     Graduate Ensemble (1)(1)


Concentration in General Music

Non-Thesis Option:

Total of 32 graduate semester hours. The student must complete 16 semester hours in required music courses (described on page 252) and 16 semester hours in approved music electives by advisement.

Thesis Option:

Total of 32 graduate semester hours. The student must complete 16 semester hours in required music courses (described on page 253) and 10 semester hours in approved music electives by advisement, and 6 hours of thesis. See “Thesis Options and Procedures” on page 45 of this Bulletin.



Concentration in Music Education

Instrumental or vocal/choral emphasis: Total of 32 graduate semester hours.  The student must complete 16 semester hours in required music courses describe above and the following courses in music and education (16 hours, to include 0-3 hours of approved music electives by advisement, depending upon whether the special education requirement has been previously satisfied):

ED 500*     

Introduction to Graduate Education and Technology (1)
(Discipline specific section required first semester of enrollment.) 
EFD 502 Curriculum Development (3)
EFD 560 Psychological Principles of Learning (3)
EIM 503 Computer Based Instructional Technologies (3)
SPE 500

Survey Course in Special Education (3)
Students who have not previously satisfied the special education requirement at the
undergraduate or graduate level must take SPE 500.
If this requirement has been met, 3 hours of music electives are required.
MU 545 Measurement and Evaluation of Music (3)

Notes:

Admission to this program requires fourth-year (bachelor's) teacher certification in music (instrumental or vocal-choral).

Completion of the MA in music with a concentration in music education/instrumental or music education/vocal-choral program leads to eligibility for fifth-year (master's) teacher certification in music.



Master of Arts  | Major: Music | Concentration: Music Education/Instrumental (P-12)

 

Required Music Courses (16 semester hours):
MU 511     Research Methods (3)
MU 512 Seminar in Instrumental Music (3)

Select one from the following (3 semester hours):
MU 505   Music Literature: Medieval-Renaissance (3)
MU 506   Music Literature: Baroque Era (3)
MU 507   Music Literature: Classic-Romantic (3)
MU 508   Music Literature: Contemporary Era (3)

Select one from the following ( 3 semester hours):
MU 520 Music Theory: Style Analysis (3)
MU 521 Music Theory: Style Analysis (3)

Select from among the following (4 semester hours):
MU 519 Advanced Conducting (3)
MU 534 Individual Applied Music (2)
MU 535 Individual Applied Music (2)
MU 580 Graduate Ensemble (1)(1)

Required Music and Education Courses (16 semester hours):
ED 500 

 Introduction to Graduate Education and Technology (1)
(Discipline specific section required first semester of enrollment) 
EFD 502 Curriculum Development (3)
EFD 560  Psychological Principles of Learning (3)
EIM 503 Computer Based Instructional Technologies (3)
SPE  500*

Survey Course in Special Education (3)
Students who have not previously satisfied the special education
requirement at the undergraduate or graduate level must take SPE 500.
MU 545  Measurement and Evaluation in Music (3)

*Approved Music Electives by Advisement (0-3 semester hours): 


 32 Graduate Semester Hours Required for this Degree

Notes:

Admission to this program requires fourth-year (bachelor's) teacher certification in music (instrumental).

Completion of this program leads to eligibility for fifth-year (master's) teacher certification in music instrumental (P-12).  

Successful completion of the appropriate Praxis II examination is required for certification.

Students in this program are required to purchase College LiveText. College LiveText Education Solutions is a complete development, management, and assessment solution specifically designed for colleges and universities. Additional information on College LiveText can be obtained at http://www.livetext.com.




Concentration: Music Education/Vocal-Choral (P-12)

 

Required Music Courses (16 semester hours):
MU 509
Seminar in Choral Music (3)
MU 511
Research Methods (3)
Select one from the following (3 semester hours):
MU 505
Music Literature: Medieval-Renaissance (3)
MU 506
Music Literature: Baroque Era (3)
MU 507
Music Literature: Classic-Romantic (3)
MU 508
Music Literature: Contemporary Era (3)
Select one from the following (3 semester hours):
MU 520
Music Theory: Style Analysis (3)
MU 521
Music Theory: Style Analysis (3)
Select from among the following (4 semester hours):
MU 519 Advanced Conducting (3)
MU 534 Individual Applied Music (2)
MU 535 Individual Applied Music (2)
MU 580 Graduate Ensemble (1)(1)
Required Education and Music Courses (16 semester hours):
ED 500 Introduction to Graduate Education and Technology (1)
(Discipline specific section required first semester of enrollment)
EFD 502 Curriculum Development (3)
EFD 560 Psychological Principles of Learning (3)
EIM 503 Computer Based Instructional Technology (3)
*SPE 500 Survey Course in Special Education (3)
Students who have not previously satisfied the special education requirement at the undergraduate or graduate level
must take SPE 500.
MU 545 Measurement and Evaluation in Music (3)
*Approved Music Electives by Advisement (0-3 semester hours):

32 Graduate Semester Hours Required for this Degree

Notes:

Admission to this program requires fourth-year (bachelor's) teacher certification in music (vocal-choral).

Completion of this program leads to eligibility for fifth-year (master's) teacher certification in music (vocal-choral).

Successful completion of the appropriate Praxis II examination is required for certification.

Students in this program are required to purchase College LiveText. College LiveText Education Solutions is a complete development, man­agement, and assessment solution specifically designed for colleges and universities. Additional information on College LiveText can be obtained at http://www.livetext.com.



Concentration in General Music (Instrumental)

Required Music Courses (16 semester hours):
MU 511 Research Methods (3)
MU 512 Seminar in Instrumental Music (3)
Select one from the following (3 semester hours):
MU 505 Music Literature: Medieval-Renaissance (3)
MU 506 Music Literature: Baroque Era (3)
MU 507 Music Literature: Classis-Romantic (3)
MU 508 Music Literature: Contemporary Era (3)
Select one from the following (3 semester hours):
MU 520 Music Theory: Style Analysis (3)
MU 521 Music Theory: Style Analysis (3)
Select from among the following (4 semester hours):
MU 519 Advanced Conducting (3)
MU 534 Individual Applied Music (2)
MU 535 Individual Applied Music (2)
MU 580 Graduate Ensemble (1)(1)
Approved Music Electives By Advisement (16 semester hours)

32 Graduate Semester Hours Required for this Degree



Concentration in General Music (Instrumental)
Thesis Option 

Required Music Courses (16 semester hours):
MU 511 Research Methods (3)
MU 512 Seminar in Instrumental Music (3)
Select one from the following (3 semester hours):
MU 505 Music Literature: Medieval-Renaissance (3)
MU 506 Music Literature: Baroque Era (3)
MU 507 Music Literature: Classis-Romantic (3)
MU 508 Music Literature: Contemporary Era (3)
Select one from the following (3 semester hours):
MU 520 Music Theory: Style Analysis (3)
MU 521 Music Theory: Style Analysis (3)
Select from among the following (4 semester hours):
MU 519 Advanced Conducting (3)
MU 534 Individual Applied Music (2)
MU 535 Individual Applied Music (2)
MU 580 Graduate Ensemble (1)(1)

Thesis Option (6 semester hours):
Must complete the following for a total of 6 semester hours:
MU 599 Thesis (3)
MU 599 Thesis (3)
See "Thesis Options and Procedures"

Approved Music Electives by Advisement (10 semester hours)

32 Graduate Semester Hours Required for this Degree



Concentration in General Music (Vocal/Choral)


Required Music Courses (16 semester hours):
MU 509 Seminar in Choral Music (3)
MU 511 Research Methods (3)
MU 512 Seminar in Instrumental Music (3)
Select one from the following (3 semester hours):
MU 505 Music Literature: Medieval-Renaissance (3)
MU 506 Music Literature: Baroque Era (3)
MU 507 Music Literature: Classis-Romantic (3)
MU 508 Music Literature: Contemporary Era (3)
Select one from the following (3 semester hours):
MU 520 Music Theory: Style Analysis (3)
MU 521 Music Theory: Style Analysis (3)
Select from among the following (4 semester hours):
MU 519 Advanced Conducting (3)
MU 534 Individual Applied Music (2)
MU 535 Individual Applied Music (2)
MU 580 Graduate Ensemble (1)(1)
Approved Music Electives By Advisement (16 semester hours)

32 Graduate Semester Hours Required for this Degree



Concentration in General Music (Vocal/Choral)
Thesis Option


Required Music Courses (16 semester hours):
MU 509 Seminar in Choral Music (3)
MU 511 Research Methods (3)
MU 512 Seminar in Instrumental Music (3)
Select one from the following (3 semester hours):
MU 505 Music Literature: Medieval-Renaissance (3)
MU 506 Music Literature: Baroque Era (3)
MU 507 Music Literature: Classis-Romantic (3)
MU 508 Music Literature: Contemporary Era (3)
Select one from the following (3 semester hours):
MU 520 Music Theory: Style Analysis (3)
MU 521 Music Theory: Style Analysis (3)
Select from among the following (4 semester hours):
MU 519 Advanced Conducting (3)
MU 534 Individual Applied Music (2)
MU 535 Individual Applied Music (2)
MU 580 Graduate Ensemble (1)(1)
Approved Music Electives By Advisement (16 semester hours)

Thesis Option (6 semester hours):
Must complete the following for a total of 6 semester hours:
MU 599 Thesis (3)
MU 599 Thesis (3)
See "Thesis Options and Procedures"

Approved Music Electives by Advisement (10 semester hours)

32 Graduate Semester Hours Required for this Degree



Music Courses

Prefix MU


404G.    Music Theory: Composition (3). Art of musical composition through analysis and application of contemporary techniques.
405G.    Theory and Composition of American Jazz (3). Comprehensive. Formalized study of American jazz masterpieces from 1900 to the present.
408G.    Art Song (3). Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Survey course examining major categories of solo vocal literature with detailed study of selected songs.
409G.    Opera Literature (3). Development of opera as a form with detailed study of selected works.
415G.    Advanced Brass Methods and Literature (3). Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Brass teaching materials for public schools or college teacher; examination of methods, etudes, and special studies of each instrument; recordings and corollary readings supplement discussion.
419G.    Advanced Woodwind Methods and Literature (3). ). Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Woodwind teaching methods for public school or college teacher; examination of methods for public school or college teacher; examination of methods, etudes, and special studies of each instrument; recordings and corollary readings supplement discussion
471G.    Elementary Music Materials and Methods (3). Methods, materials, and problems of teaching general music; grades P-6.
482G.    Secondary Instrumental Music Materials and Methods (3). Professional preparation of teachers of instrumental music, grades 7-12 with emphasis on appropriate theory, literature, teaching methods and organizational skills needed to teach in an effective public school instrumental music program.
483G.    Secondary Vocal Music Materials and Methods (3). Professional preparation of teachers of vocal music, grade 7-12, with emphasis on theory, literature, teaching methods and organizational skills needed to teach in an effective public school choral program.
500.    Graduate Recital (0). Public Performance in primary applied area of student; instrumental or vocal material planned by instructor and student.
580.    Graduate Ensemble (1). Appropriate conducted or coached ensembles as approved by the department head and the graduate advisor. This number may be duplicated for credit for a total of four (4) credit hours. (This course is replacing MU 480G Graduate Ensemble and MU 481G Graduate Ensemble).
505.    Music Literature: Medieval-Renaissance (3). Development of sacred and secular music throughout Medieval and Renaissance periods including Gregorian chant, motets, madrigals, and instrumental forms; specific examples taken from representative composers.
506.    Music Literatures: Baroque Era (3). Development of instrumental and vocal music from 1600 to 1750; emphasis on musical examples from important composers of the period including early opera, oratorio, keyboard forms, chorale-based compositions, orchestral music, and concertos.
507.    Music Literature: Classic-Romantic (3). History and literature of music beginning with early Classicism and leading to post-Romanticism; vocal and instrumental styles using examples from significant composers; keyboard forms, chamber music, symphony, opera, art song, and other media of performance.
508.    Music Literature: Contemporary Era (3). Development of instrumental and vocal music since 1900; emphasis on musical examples from various schools of composition, including Impressionism, Primitivism, Neoclassicism, Expressionism, Serialism, Indeterminacy, and Minimalism.
509.    Seminar in Choral Music (3). Acoustical problems and basic techniques relating to choral medium; problems of ensemble, balance, precision, and interpretation; materials and musical literature for large and chamber choral ensembles.
510.    Seminar in Music Education (3). Philosophies and objectives of music in schools; scope and sequence of music curricula on elementary and secondary levels.
511.    Research Methods in Music and Music Education (3). Application of methods of research to problems in music and music education; preparation of bibliographies and written exposition of research projects in area of student’s major interest.
512.    Seminar in Instrumental Music (3). Acoustical properties and basic techniques of instruments; problems of ensemble and balance, intonation, precision, and interpretation; materials and musical literature and orchestras, bands, and small ensembles.
519.    Advanced Conducting (3). Prerequisite: MU 210 or equivalent. Intensive study in repertoire of various performing media; includes parallel or supplementary reading and a paper dealing with some aspect of conducting.
520.    Music Theory: Style Analysis (3). Study intended to develop stylistic perception through analytical and historical examination of selected musical examples, Bach and Handel through Beethoven and Schubert.
521.    Music Theory: Style Analysis (3). Continuation of 520; Debussy and Ravel to present.
522.    Music Theory: Sixteenth-Century Counterpoint (3). Species counter¬point up to time of Monteverdi.
523.    Music Theory: Eighteenth-Century Counterpoint (3). Late Baroque styles in canon, fugue, invention, and passacaglia; extensive writing and special projects.
534.    Individual Applied Music (2). Primary applied area of student; instrumental or vocal material planned by instructor and student.
535.    Individual Applied Music (2). Primary applied area of student; instrumental or vocal material planned by instructor and student.
536.    Individual Applied Music (2). Individual instruction in primary applied area of student; instrumental or vocal material planned by instructor and student.
537.    Individual Applied Music (2). Individual instruction in primary applied area of student; instrumental or vocal material planned by instructor and student.
545.    Measurement and Evaluation in Music (3). Evaluation of current achievement and aptitude measurements in music; problems in measurement of musical performance; preparation of examination material and the computation of basic statistical formulae.
552.    Lyric Theatre Workshop (1,1,1,1). An ensemble designed to guide the classically trained singer through the varied aspects of preparing and presenting an operatic performance. This course may be duplicated for credit for a total of four (4) credit hours.
588.    Graduate Internship in Music Education P-12 (3). Complete semester long internship and earn “pass/fail” upon completion of course. Students will complete a working portfolio and electronic LiveText portfolio, along with other standard course requirements.
599.    Thesis (3,3). (Grade of Pass or Fail only) Prerequisite: Approval of Application for Thesis Option. See "Thesis Options and Procedures".




 
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