Graduate Degree Requirements

Students may apply to the program by first submitting the Queens College graduate application. The Queens College Office of Admissions requires you to pay an application fee of $75 when you apply.

After you have submitted your application and application fee, you must submit videos for prescreening to the School of Music using GetAcceptd.

The Program Requirements

The composition track requirements are:

Both composers and performers must do a Graduate recital (uncredited) to graduate from the program.

Most students graduate in 4 semesters, averaging nine credit hours per semester. International students must take nine credits per semester (except in their last semester) in accordance with the rules for F-1 Student Visas. It’s possible to complete the program in 3 semesters, and U.S. residents, particularly students who are working full-time, can take longer than 4 semesters to complete the degree.

Electives Credits

A wide variety of classes are offered for elective credits that students can take to complete their degrees. These include Harmony II, Improv II, Arranging and Composition II, Piano Workshop for Non-Pianists I and II, Transcription and Ear training, as well as classes in the Recording Department (Digital Recording I and II, Sequencing, and various seminars). Performers can take Counterpoint and Jazz Styles and Analysis for elective credit. New elective classes are often added and vary, semester to semester.

Private Lessons

Composers must take 3 semesters of composition lessons from Professor Michael Mossman or adjunct faculty members in the composition department. Performers are required to take instrumental lessons on their instrument for the first 2 of the 3 semesters of private lessons. On each instrument, we have either full-time faculty members as private teachers or adjunct faculty teachers available. If there is a full time faculty member on your instrument (trumpet, composition, saxophone, piano and drums) that faculty member will determine whether you study with him or an adjunct. Students who receive and A- or above for private lessons in their first two semesters, may elect to study with a teacher who teaches an instrument other than their instrument in their third semester, although studying all 3 semesters on your instrument is strongly encouraged. All students will choose from faculty members, whether full time or adjuncts, and cannot go outside of the program to take private lessons with musicians not on staff at the Aaron Copland School of Music.

Schedule and Academic Calendars

To learn about: the first and last days of classes in each semester, holidays, and registration deadlines, please visit https://www.qc.cuny.edu/qchub/.

Tuition Costs

Please visit: https://www.qc.cuny.edu/br/tuition-costs/.

Scholarships

Even though these costs may seem high compared to the cost of college in other countries, the tuition at CUNY colleges is the lowest in the tri-state area because they are, to a degree, subsidized by the city of New York. There are no scholarships available through the school to incoming international students. NY state residents may pursue financial aid options here, but be forewarned, these are fairly limited.

English Level

A TOEFL Scores of 79 or better is required for entrance into the Jazz Program. Occasionally this requirement can be waived if fluency in English can be demonstrated. Students with substandard English skills need to pursue English as a Second Language classes prior to applying for admittance to the college.

Immunization

All students are required to have proof of immunization against Measles, Mumps and Rubella as well as Meningitis before they can register for classes. For more information on how to obtain proof of immunization, please visit https://www.qc.cuny.edu/health/immunizations/

Important Phone Numbers

• Aaron Copland School of Music: 718-997-3800
• Office of Graduate Admissions: 718-997-5200
• International Students Office: 718-997-4440

Mission Statements

Master of Arts in Musicology
The mission of this program is to meet the needs of two kinds of students: (1) those who plan to pursue doctoral study in musicology (music history) but need additional preparation beyond the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Music; and (2) those whose principal field is not musicology but who wish to acquire graduate-level qualifications in this field. The program develops students’ abilities in the techniques of music analysis, academic research, and academic writing. It also introduces them to recent trends in musicology and music theory.

Master of Arts in Music Theory
The mission of this program is to meet the needs of two kinds of students: (1) those who plan to pursue doctoral study in music theory but need additional preparation beyond the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Music; and (2) those whose principal field is not music theory but who wish to acquire graduate-level qualifications in this field. The program develops students’ abilities in the techniques of music analysis, academic research, and academic writing. It also introduces them to recent trends in music theory and musicology.

Degree Requirements

These requirements are in addition to the general requirements for Master’s degrees, listed in the Graduate Bulletin.

1. A student normally majors in one area: composition, theory, or music history (musicology).
2. All students complete 36 credits. Composition majors complete a large composition as a thesis. The degree is normally completed in four semesters. Classes are usually scheduled in the late afternoon or early evening.
3. The following examinations must be passed during the course of study:
   1. Theory Qualifying Exam, covering music theory and musicianship, must be taken before registering for the first semester. Each of the examination’s four parts (harmonization, sight singing, dictation, and keyboard harmony) must be passed before graduation. Those students who fail in any part of the exam will consult the Graduate Advisor for coursework or other recommended study.
   2. History Qualifying Exam, covering the history of Western music, must be taken before registering for their first semester. Those who need further work in this area will consult the Graduate Advisor for coursework or other recommended study.
   3. A reading proficiency examination in French, German, or Italian is required of all students majoring in theory or music history (musicology). Composition majors may substitute an examination in foreign-language musical terms for the language examination.

Course of Study

Majors in composition are required to take MUSIC 729, 730, 731, 742, 784, 785, 789 (one semester), and three semesters of MUSIC 725.

Majors in music theory are required to take MUSIC 700, 742, 745, 746, 762 or 763 (two semesters), and 789 (one or two semesters).

Majors in musicology are required to take MUSIC 700, 702, 742, 789 (one or two semesters), plus two semesters chosen from MUSIC 710, 711, 760, or 761.

Advisor: Susan Davis

Mission Statement

The primary mission of this program is to serve as a New York State Education Department (NY-SED) accredited program leading toward Professional Teacher Certification. The degree is offered to teachers who already hold Initial Certification, and is a natural extension of our undergraduate BA in Music Education. Other purposes of the program are to offer advanced knowledge and skills in the areas of pedagogy, research, philosophy, psychology and conducting.

Degree Requirements

The graduation requirement is 36-38 credits including a thesis or summative project. Some credits earned in other graduate programs may be accepted for transfer. This is a highly flexible program based on the interests and needs of the individual student. Students choose from among a group of courses in the categories of Historical, Philosophical, Social, and Psychological Foundations of Education: SEYS 701, 702, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 710, 717, 718, 719, EECE 700, 703, 704, 705, 710, 711, 712, 713, 714. Further, the student will be allowed 9 credits of electives. These will be allowed from any area of music, music education, or education at the graduate level (600 or higher course number). Students may focus on choral, instrumental, general music, conducting, composition pedagogy or jazz.

• Music 659: General Music in the Elementary Schools
• Music 660: General Music in the Secondary Schools
• Music 670: Advanced Conducting
• Music 641: Teaching of Instrumental Music
• Music 642: Teaching of Choral Music
• Music 678: Introduction to Research in Music Education
• Music 688: Seminar in Research in Music Education
• Music 689: Topics in Music Education
• Music 690: Foundations of Music Education
• Music 691: Psychology of Music
• Music 692: Thesis in Music Education
  • or Music 693: Inquiry in Music Education

Students must also take one music history/literature course. A music history qualifying examination will be administered during the student’s first fall semester. Passing the exam will allow the student to take a music history course of his or her choosing. Failing the exam will mean that the student must take MUSIC 768: Western Music History Survey (3 hr.; 2 cr.) as a prerequisite to taking a required history course (thus the two-credit variation in the graduation requirements noted above).

Additional New York State Certification Requirements

• Attend a seminar on Substance Abuse
• Attend a seminar on Child Abuse
• Attend a seminar on Violence in the Classroom
• Attend a seminar on School Safety
• Pass the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (EAS, edTPA, and CST)

Advisors: Susan Davis

Certificate Requirements

The completion of this program takes two years and is typically 29-32 credits (depending on vocal or instrumental emphasis), but may be lower depending on the courses the individual student may have had at the undergraduate level (or another graduate program).

The coursework consists of requirements from the following list:

• Music 690: Foundations of Music Education, 3 cr.
  • or SEYS 536: Educational Foundations, 3 cr.
• SEYS 552: Educational Psychology, 3 cr.
• EECE 711: Ecological Perspectives on Development: The Childhood Years, 3 cr.
• ECPSE 550: Foundations of Special Education, 3 cr.
• EECE 525: Language and Literacy Learning in the Elementary Years, 3 cr.
  • or SEYS 700: Language, Literacy, and Culture in Education, 3 cr.
• Music 644: Student Teaching in Music, 6 cr.
• Music 645: Seminar in the Teaching of Music: Elementary, 3 cr.
• Music 646: Seminar in the Teaching of Music: Secondary, 3 cr.
• Music 669: Conducting II, 2 cr.

Courses required for Vocal Emphasis:

• Music 642: Teaching of Choral Music, 3 cr.
• Music 666: Vocal Pedagogy, 2 cr.

Courses required for Instrumental Emphasis:

• Music 641: Teaching of Instrumental Music, 3 cr.
• at least 3 credits from among the following:
  • Music 661: Group Instruction in Upper Strings, 1 cr.
  • Music 662: Group Instruction in Lower Strings, 1 cr.
  • Music 663: Group Instruction in Woodwinds, 1 cr.
  • Music 667: Group Instruction in Brass, 1 cr.
  • Music 668: Group Instruction in Percussion, 1 c

Students must also take one music history/literature course. A music history qualifying examination will be administered during the student’s first fall semester. Passing the exam will allow the student to take a music history course of his or her choosing. Failing the exam will mean that the student must take MUSIC 768: Western Music History Survey (3 hr.; 2 cr.) as a prerequisite to taking a required history course (thus the two-credit variation in the graduation requirements noted above).

Additional New York State Certification Requirements

• Attend a seminar on Substance Abuse
• Attend a seminar on Child Abuse
• Attend a seminar on Violence in the Classroom
• Attend a seminar on School Safety
• Attend a seminar on the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA)
• Pass the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations (EAS, edTPA, and CST)

Advisors: Mary Rosen (Strings, Piano); David Jolley (Winds, Brass, Percussion); James John (Voice)

Certificate Requirements

A minimum of 19 credits is required in all Certificate and Diploma programs:

• Music 707, 708 (6 cr.)
• Music 747, 748, 749, 750, 751 or 752 for two semesters (2 cr.)
• Music 774, 775 (2 cr.)
• Music 792 or 796 or other performance course as assigned by the graduate advisor (1-2 cr).

All students are required to register for 9 credits per semester.

Additional requirement: Students in each Certificate or Diploma program perform a recital during each semester of enrollment.

Chamber Music Diploma only: Two recitals (fall and spring), with off-campus repeats of each program.