Music: Music MA; Field: Music Theory

Master of Arts (Field: Music Theory)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants to the MA in Music, Music Theory field are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Music's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate Bachelor of Arts specialist degree or Bachelor of Music degree from a recognized university, with an average standing equivalent to a University of Toronto mid-B or better over the final two years.

  • Applicants must submit an essay that represents their work in music theory.

  • Two letters of reference commenting on the applicant's academic ability and promise.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • 0.5 FCE: MUS1000H Introduction to Music Research in Year 1.

    • A minimum of 3.0 FCEs in graduate courses in music theory; at least two of these (2.0 FCEs) must be graduate-only seminars.

    • Up to 1.0 FCE may be taken outside of musicology, ethnomusicology, and music theory (either in the Graduate Department of Music or another graduate unit) with approval of the department.

    • MUS1990H MA Major Paper or Project (0.5 FCE) is optional.

    • A course and program advising (CPA) committee will review course selections. The CPA committee will ensure course selections meet the requirements of the program and are appropriate to the field.

  • One language other than English is required. The default language at the MA level is German. Students may petition to substitute another language if it is more relevant to their research. Petitions must be submitted to the Division Head (Musicology or Music Theory) by the end of the first session of Year 1. Information on petitioning is available at the Faculty of Music Graduate Studies Office.

    Students can fulfil the language requirement in one of the following three ways:

    • Complete GER300H at U of T or its equivalent from another university with a minimum grade of B+; or

    • Complete GER6000H; or

    • Pass a proficiency exam set by the Division.

  • Students must maintain a minimum average of A– in Year 1 in order to progress to Year 2.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time