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Serena Gestring stands outside the LGBTQ+ Center

Emerging Media and Technology student Serena Gestring, ‘25, has developed a passion for the role technology plays in the lives of others. “Technology is fascinating to me, and I love that we can use technology to make people’s lives better and also to create things in new and exciting ways,” she said. “What I love about coding and web design specifically is that it allows me to be creative without needing to be traditionally artistic.” Gestring’s journey to Kent State began during high school, where she took her first computer coding class and discovered the field of web development. Whi...

Published Summit Proceedings

All presentations will be accompanied by a manuscript (15 pages double spaced, excluding references) that summarizes the work presented. Each manuscript will be preceded by a 1-2 page introduction written by the discussant. Manuscripts will be compiled in a bound volume.  The published volume will be organized into 4 sections that mirror the summit organization as follows: research methods, behavior, academics, and applications in practice. Draft manuscripts are due prior to the conference. All submitted manuscripts will be reviewed by the primary editorial team prior to publication.

Music Theory - Composition - Ph.D.

The Ph.D. degree in Music Theory–Composition prepares composers, research scholars and college/university teachers in the areas of music theory and composition. This degree program is based on the premise that original composition of high quality requires a strong background in theory, and that significant scholarship in theory requires experience in original composition.

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Program Information for Music Theory - Composition - Ph.D.

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

Applications to the Ph.D. in Music Theory-Composition are not being accepted at this time.

  • Master's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Résumé
  • Goal Statement
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Substantial term paper on a theoretical topic or a master's thesis in music theory written in English
  • Minimum three scores of original compositions demonstrating a variety of genres (chamber, orchestral, piano, choral, etc.)
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 50 PTE score
    • Minimum 100 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Compile a body of completed compositions.
  2. Demonstrate and apply compositional techniques for creation of new works, including musical style and structure.
  3. Analyze music from a wide range of styles and style periods and communicate results in written and oral formats.
  4. Recognize, identify and analyze representative literature from different historical periods, countries and composers.
  5. Communicate knowledge of composition, theory and other aspects of music in classroom and private teaching.
Coursework
On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
MUS 71121HISTORY OF MUSIC THEORY 3
MUS 71131SCHENKERIAN ANALYSIS 3
MUS 71181POST-TONAL THEORY 3
MUS 71191SEMINAR IN MUSIC SINCE 1900 3
MUS 78251PEDAGOGY OF MUSIC THEORY 2
MUS 81211COMPOSITION (course is repeatable)8
Music History Electives6
Music (MUS) Electives or Related Studies 12
Culminating Requirement
MUS 88199DISSERTATION I 230
Minimum Total Credit Hours:60
1

Electives must have been approved in student's prospectus.

2

Each doctoral candidate, upon admission to candidacy, must register for MUS 88199 for a total of 30 credit hours. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for Dissertation I, and thereafter MUS 88299, each semester, until all requirements for the degree have been met. All students writing a dissertation must pass a dissertation defense. Dissertation defense may be attempted two times.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Applications to the Ph.D. in Music Theory-Composition are not being accepted at this time.

Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Music

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Music Theory - Composition - Ph.D.

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary

5.6%

faster than the average

116,300

number of jobs

$69,690

potential earnings

Music directors and composers

1.7%

slower than the average

58,000

number of jobs

$52,250

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

Music Theory - M.A.

The Master of Arts degree in Music Theory is designed to enhance music theory abilities of advanced students and prepare them for admission to doctoral study. Based on a solid undergraduate music degree, the master's degree further develops abilities in music theory, including analytical, aural, written, keyboard and pedagogical skills. The program further develops breadth and depth in the area of music history and literature.

Contact Us

Apply Now
Request Information
Schedule a visit

Program Information for Music Theory - M.A.

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

Applications to the M.A. in Music Theory are not being accepted at this time.

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Résumé
  • Goal statement
  • Academic paper written in English
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 50 PTE score
    • Minimum 100 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Analyze music from a wide range of styles and style periods, and communicate results in written and oral formats.
  2. Demonstrate and apply functional aural, written and keyboard skills.
  3. Recognize, identify and analyze representative literature from different historical periods, countries and composers.
  4. Communicate knowledge of music theory and other aspects of music as would be done in classroom and private teaching.
Coursework
On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
MUS 58251PEDAGOGY OF MUSIC THEORY 2
MUS 62411MUSIC BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESEARCH METHODS 2
Advisor-Approved Music (MUS) Elective 3
Advisor-Approved Music Ensemble2
Music Theory Electives, choose from the following: 19
MUS 51141
16TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT
MUS 51151
18TH-CENTURY COUNTERPOINT
MUS 61121
HISTORY OF MUSIC THEORY
MUS 61131
SCHENKERIAN ANALYSIS
MUS 61173
WORLD MUSIC ANALYSIS
MUS 61174
ANALYSIS OF WESTERN ART MUSIC
MUS 61181
POST-TONAL THEORY
MUS 61191
SEMINAR IN MUSIC SINCE 1900
Music History Electives, choose from the following:6
MUS 52131
MUSIC OF THE UNITED STATES
MUS 52161
HISTORY OF JAZZ
MUS 52181
POPULAR WORLD MUSIC
MUS 62171
MUSIC FROM WORLD CULTURES
MUS 62281
SEMINAR IN MUSIC HISTORY AND LITERATURE
Culminating Requirement
MUS 68199THESIS I 26
Minimum Total Credit Hours:30
1

Selection of music theory course is based on students' result from the theory placement exam. In the case of the exam results placing a student into MUS 51011 and/or MUS 51012, these courses will not count towards the M.A. degree and must be taken in addition to the music theory requirements.

2

All students writing a thesis must pass a final oral examination covering the thesis and the student’s major area of study. The final oral examination may be attempted two times.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Applications to the M.A. in Music Theory are not being accepted at this time.

Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Music

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Music Theory - M.A.

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary

5.6%

faster than the average

116,300

number of jobs

$69,690

potential earnings

Music directors and composers

1.7%

slower than the average

58,000

number of jobs

$52,250

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

How do I complete a program of study?

Step 1. Download the program of study for your program.

Step 2. Make a general plan based on when core electives are being offered.

Step 3. Plan out the time course of when you will take the courses, add these to the program of study, and sign and date the document. 

Step 4. Send your completed form to your advisor so that they may sign it.

Step 5. When returned to you, send the signed form to the Office of Graduate Student Services (Valorie Adkins, vadkins@kent.edu) 

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