Music - Composition Concentration (M.A.)

For details about this program, including program description, admission requirements, and contact information, click here.

Program Requirements

Composition
MUCP 540Graduate Practicum in Composition (Complete four times)0
Complete four times for 2 credits each time:8
Private Study in Composition
Applied Music
Complete four times for 1 credit each time:4
Applied Music
Music Theory
MUCP 511Musical Style and Analysis3
MUCP 512Music Systems of Analysis and Composition3
Independent Study
Complete two times for 1 credit each time:2
Independent Study in Theory/Composition
Music History and Literature
MUHS 604Seminar in Historical Research3
Electives
Complete 9 credits from the list below.9
Composition and Public Performance
MUPR 695Graduate Recital0
Creation and public display of a large body of work as approved by Graduate Program Coordinator in consultation with private lesson instructor. May include formats such as a public recital or concert, album release on physical media or music streaming platforms, music for film or other digital media screened publicly or published online, etc
Comprehensive Examination
In the term that you will sit for exam, register for the section which matches your major & advisor. Successfully pass exam.
Comprehensive Examination
Total Credits32

Music Electives

MUCP 513Advanced Jazz Theory3
MUCP 515Advanced Counterpoint3
MUCP 516Advanced Instrumentation3
MUCP 525Keyboard Harmony for Piano Majors I1
MUCP 526Keyboard Harmony for Piano Majors II1
MUCP 555Advanced Jazz Arranging2
MUCP 598Private Study in Composition3
MUCP 599Independent Study in Theory/Composition1-4
MUCP 601Score Reading3
MUCP 602Advanced Ear Training1
MUCP 603Jazz Ear Training1
MUED 500Workshop in Music Education1-3
MUED 501Psychology of Music3
MUED 502Critical Issues in Music Education3
MUED 503Pedagogy of Complete Musician3
MUED 510Special Topics in Music Education1-3
MUED 518Technology for Music Teachers3
MUED 519Music Learning Theory3
MUED 520General Music in Secondary School3
MUED 521Creative Movement and Dance Experiences for Children3
MUED 522Pedagogy of the Piano2
MUED 561Teaching Popular Music3
MUPR 571Brass Pedagogy2
MUPR 572String Pedagogy2
MUED 549Piano for Music Teachers3
MUED 550Teaching Music for Learners With Special Needs3
MUED 555Teaching Music As Democratic Practice3
MUED 556Teaching Methods for the Elementary Music Class3
MUED 557Teaching Methods for Music in the Secondary Schools3
MUED 560Teaching Global Musics3
MUED 565Teaching Music Reading3
MUED 570Critical and Creative Thinking in Music3
MUED 579Wind Band Repertoire Matters: The Selection and Programming of Music for Bands at all Levels3
MUED 580The Comprehensive Choral Educator3
MUED 581Orff Workshop I-Concepts and Skills1-3
MUED 582Orff Workshop II-Pedagogy and Practices1-3
MUED 599Independent Study in Music Education1-4
MUED 600Independent Study in Music Education1-4
MUED 603Seminar in Music Education3
MUED 604Supervision and Administration of School Music Programs3
MUED 695Field Project in Music Education3
MUED 699Field Project Extension1
MUEN 500Ensemble: Chorus1
MUEN 501MSU Singers Graduate1
MUEN 510Ensemble: Orchestra1
MUEN 515Montclair Sinfonia1
MUEN 520Ensemble: Band I1
MUEN 530Opera Production1
MUEN 540Graduate Jazz Ensemble1
MUEN 550Chamber Ensemble Performance I1
MUEN 570West African Drumming, Dancing, and Singing1
MUEN 571The Balkan Ensemble1
MUEN 580Chamber Ensemble Performance II1
MUEN 590Chamber Ensemble Performance IV1
MUEN 680Chamber Ensemble Performance III1
MUHS 500Special Topics in Music I3
MUHS 501Special Topics in Music II3
MUHS 502Problems in Music History and Analysis3
MUHS 505Performance Practice in the Baroque Era3
MUHS 506Performance Practice in the Classical Era3
MUHS 549Music Since 19603
MUHS 550Jazz History3
MUHS 554Development of the Opera I3
MUHS 555Development of the Opera II3
MUHS 600Independent Study Music History and Literature1-4
MUHS 605Seminar in Historical and Theoretical Studies3
MULT 501Woodwind Literature and Performance Practice2
MULT 510Special Topics in Instrumental Literature2-3
MULT 511Special Topics in Orchestral Literature2-3
MULT 512Special Topics in Band Literature2-3
MULT 520Special Topics in Keyboard Literature2-3
MULT 530Vocal Literature (graduate)2-3
MULT 595Special Topics in Music Literature1-4
MULT 601Advanced Jazz Literature and Improvisation2
MUMG 501Performance Entrepreneurship3
MUPR 522Piano Pedagogy2
MUPR 527Pedagogy of the Voice3
MUPR 528Survey of Wind Instrument Music2
MUPR 530Advanced Conducting3
MUPR 539Opera Coaching0
MUPR 540Vocal Coaching0
MUPR 541Master Class in Musical Performance: French Vocal Literature2
MUPR 542Master Class in Musical Performance: English Vocal Literature2
MUPR 543Master Class in Musical Performance: Woodwind Literature2
MUPR 544Master Class in Musical Performance: Brass Literature2
MUPR 545Master Class in Musical Performance: String Literature2
MUPR 546Master Class in Musical Performance: Organ Literature2
MUPR 547Master Class in Musical Performance: Piano Literature2
MUPR 548Master Class in Musical Performance: Percussion Literature2
MUPR 555Body Mapping for Musicians3
MUPR 560Applied Vocal Pedagogy2-3
MUPR 573Pedagogy of Woodwind Instruments2
MUPR 574Pedgogy of Percussion Instruments2
MUPR 575Pedagogy of the Guitar2
MUPR 580Skills of Instrumental Accompanying2
MUPR 581Skills of Vocal Accompanying2
MUPR 590Piano Improvisation2
MUPR 599Independent Study in Music Performance1-4
MUPR 600Independent Study in Music Performance1-4
MUPR 620Rehearsal Techniques3
MUPR 630Advanced Lyric Diction1-2
MUPR 640Graduate Performance Practicum1
MUTH 501Psychology of Music3
MUTH 510Group Music Therapy Experience1.5
MUTH 520Research in Music and Physiology3
MUTH 521Music Therapy Assessment in Clinical Practice3
MUTH 522Clinical Improvisation3
MUTH 523Supervision and Teaching in Music Therapy3
MUTH 524Group Music Therapy3
MUTH 525Special Topics in Music Therapy3
MUTH 565Graduate Music Therapy Internship I3
MUTH 566Graduate Music Therapy Internship II3
MUTH 598Thesis Seminar1
MUTH 599Independent Study Music Therapy1-3
MUTH 600Independent Study Music Therapy1-4
MUTH 620Music Therapy Seminar I: Severely/Profoundly Impaired Youth4
MUTH 621Music Therapy Seminar II: Severely/Profoundly Impaired Youth4
MUTH 622Music Therapy Seminar I: Mild/Moderately Impaired Youth4
MUTH 623Music Therapy Seminar II: Mild/Moderately Impaired Youth4
MUTH 624Music Therapy Seminar I: Adult Psychiatric4
MUTH 625Music Therapy Seminar II: Adult Psychiatric4
MUCP 515Advanced Counterpoint3
MUCP 516Advanced Instrumentation3
MUCP 598Private Study in Composition3
MUCP 599Independent Study in Theory/Composition1-4
MUED 500Workshop in Music Education1-3
MUED 501Psychology of Music3
MUED 502Critical Issues in Music Education3
MUED 510Special Topics in Music Education1-3
MUED 518Technology for Music Teachers3
MUED 519Music Learning Theory3
MUED 520General Music in Secondary School3
MUED 521Creative Movement and Dance Experiences for Children3
MUED 522Pedagogy of the Piano2
MUPR 571Brass Pedagogy2
MUPR 572String Pedagogy2
MUED 549Piano for Music Teachers3
MUED 550Teaching Music for Learners With Special Needs3
MUED 555Teaching Music As Democratic Practice3
MUED 556Teaching Methods for the Elementary Music Class3
MUED 557Teaching Methods for Music in the Secondary Schools3
MUED 560Teaching Global Musics3
MUED 565Teaching Music Reading3
MUED 570Critical and Creative Thinking in Music3
MUED 579Wind Band Repertoire Matters: The Selection and Programming of Music for Bands at all Levels3
MUED 580The Comprehensive Choral Educator3
MUED 581Orff Workshop I-Concepts and Skills1-3
MUED 582Orff Workshop II-Pedagogy and Practices1-3
MUED 599Independent Study in Music Education1-4
MUED 600Independent Study in Music Education1-4
MUED 603Seminar in Music Education3
MUED 604Supervision and Administration of School Music Programs3
MUED 695Field Project in Music Education3
MUED 699Field Project Extension1
MUEN 500Ensemble: Chorus1
MUEN 510Ensemble: Orchestra1
MUEN 520Ensemble: Band I1
MUEN 530Opera Production1
MUEN 550Chamber Ensemble Performance I1
MUEN 580Chamber Ensemble Performance II1
MUEN 590Chamber Ensemble Performance IV1
MUEN 680Chamber Ensemble Performance III1
MUPR 527Pedagogy of the Voice3
MUPR 528Survey of Wind Instrument Music2
MUPR 530Advanced Conducting3
MUPR 539Opera Coaching0
MUPR 540Vocal Coaching0
MUPR 541Master Class in Musical Performance: French Vocal Literature2
MUPR 542Master Class in Musical Performance: English Vocal Literature2
MUPR 543Master Class in Musical Performance: Woodwind Literature2
MUPR 544Master Class in Musical Performance: Brass Literature2
MUPR 545Master Class in Musical Performance: String Literature2
MUPR 546Master Class in Musical Performance: Organ Literature2
MUPR 547Master Class in Musical Performance: Piano Literature2
MUPR 548Master Class in Musical Performance: Percussion Literature2
MUPR 555Body Mapping for Musicians3
MUPR 590Piano Improvisation2
MUPR 599Independent Study in Music Performance1-4
MUPR 600Independent Study in Music Performance1-4
MUPR 695Graduate Recital0
MUSI 599Applied Music1-4
MUTH 501Psychology of Music3
MUTH 510Group Music Therapy Experience1.5
MUTH 520Research in Music and Physiology3
MUTH 521Music Therapy Assessment in Clinical Practice3
MUTH 522Clinical Improvisation3
MUTH 523Supervision and Teaching in Music Therapy3
MUTH 524Group Music Therapy3
MUTH 525Special Topics in Music Therapy3
MUTH 565Graduate Music Therapy Internship I3
MUTH 566Graduate Music Therapy Internship II3
MUTH 598Thesis Seminar1
MUTH 599Independent Study Music Therapy1-3
MUTH 600Independent Study Music Therapy1-4
MUTH 620Music Therapy Seminar I: Severely/Profoundly Impaired Youth4
MUTH 621Music Therapy Seminar II: Severely/Profoundly Impaired Youth4
MUTH 622Music Therapy Seminar I: Mild/Moderately Impaired Youth4
MUTH 623Music Therapy Seminar II: Mild/Moderately Impaired Youth4
MUTH 624Music Therapy Seminar I: Adult Psychiatric4
MUTH 625Music Therapy Seminar II: Adult Psychiatric4
MUTH 698Master's Thesis3
MUTH 699Master's Thesis Extension1

Recommended Roadmap to Degree Completion

This plan is provided as an outline for students to complete their degree requirements within two years.  This plan is a recommendation only and students should meet with their Graduate Advisor to develop a more individualized plan to complete their degree.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUCP 5400MUCP 5400
MUCP 5982MUCP 5982
MUCP 5113MUCP 5123
MUHS 6043MUSI 5991
MUSI 5991Elective(s)3
 9 9
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUCP 5400MUCP 5400
MUCP 5982MUCP 5982
MUSI 5991MUSI 5991
MUCP 6001MUCP 6001
Elective(s)3MUPR 6950
 Elective(s)3
 Comprehensive Examination
 7 7
Total Credits 32