Master of Music in Music Theory Pedagogy in Fargo United States | North Dakota State University

Three specialized tracks are available: Performance, Conducting, and Music Education. The Performance, Choral Conducting, and Instrumental Conducting tracks each require completion of at least 30 credits, while the Music Education track mandates a minimum of 32 credits. The Master of Music (M.M.) in performance and conducting serves as the professional degree for musicians seeking to enhance and perfect their artistic abilities. The M.M. in Music Education caters to educators aiming to refresh and expand their teaching methodologies. Prospective students can submit applications online through www.ndsu.edu/gradschool. A full application package includes three recommendation letters, academic transcripts, and a writing sample. Applicants should inform the graduate music coordinator, jo.millerndsu.edu, about their application plans. Performance and conducting candidates must visit campus for an audition. After admission to the master's program, students take a diagnostic test to help advisors design suitable course plans.

All courses require a minimum grade of B for successful completion. Students must pass comprehensive written exams in their major field and music academic studies, typically taken during or after coursework. The final oral examination, conducted by the student's committee, follows the written comprehensive exam. Conducting and performance students will present a recital as their culminating project, while music education candidates complete a written practicum. Both projects are developed with committee oversight. Each committee consists of three graduate faculty members: the advisor, a music academic studies representative, and at least one additional music faculty member.

The Music Theory Pedagogy MM track serves two main objectives: (1) broadening graduate students' educational experiences and (2) enhancing their competitiveness for academic positions, particularly in higher education. Today's academic job market values candidates with expertise across multiple disciplines, often including both music history and theory. Moreover, top candidates typically possess teaching experience in these areas along with relevant academic qualifications. This program enables students to deepen their music theory knowledge while increasing their qualifications to teach undergraduate theory courses. Designed for performers and conductors pursuing university positions that combine performance with classroom instruction, the Music Theory Pedagogy MM can be pursued alongside another MM or DMA in Performance or Conducting, though it includes sufficient distinct requirements to stand as an independent degree.