University of Hawaii at Mānoa Graduate Studies
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Contact Information
 

University of Hawai'i at Mānoa
Department of Music
2411 Dole Street
MB 10
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-7756
Fax: (808) 956-9657
Website

Leslie Wright, PhD
Graduate Chair
E-mail: wright@hawaii.edu

 
Degrees Offered
 

MA in music

MMus in music

PhD in music

 
Graduate Faculty
 
List of Faculty
 
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MUSIC
 

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Application Deadlines
| Admissions Requirements
Program Overview | Degree Requirements | Related Program(s)
Contact Information | Degrees Offered | Graduate Faculty

 
Application Deadlines
 
Fall Spring
I — January 15
D — February 1
I — August 1
D — September 1
 
Individual graduate programs may have priority consideration deadlines. Applicants are advised to contact the graduate programs for such dates. Any available funding support is limited and often awarded well in advance of the application deadlines.

Applicants who apply after the application deadlines MUST consult with the graduate programs before submitting an application. Application fees are non-refundable and may not be used for an application submitted at a later date.

I = international applicants
D = U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents
 
 
Admissions Requirements
 

Ways to Apply
Apply online or download PDF application forms.

Applicants need to meet:
1) Graduate Division admissions standard and documentation requirements, and 2) program specific admissions criteria and documentation requirements. Send all program specific documentation requirements directly to the graduate program.

GRE Scores
Refer to program specific requirements (see link above) to determine if the GRE is required by the graduate program. Click here for information on the GRE and when it is required by the Graduate Division. Official GRE scores must be sent directly to the Graduate Admissions Office.
TOEFL Scores - 540/76 or above for the MA program and the MMus composition program, 500/61 or above for the MMus performance program, and 560/83 or above for the PhD program
TOEFL is required of most applicants who are non-native speakers of English. Click here for information on exemptions. Official TOEFL scores must be sent directly to the Graduate Admissions Office.
 
 
Program Overview
 

The Department of Music at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa (UHM) offers programs leading to the MA, the MMus and the PhD. Concentrations in ethnomusicology, music education, musicology, and theory are available for the MA program. The MMus program offers concentrations in composition and performance (voice, piano, and selected instruments). The PhD program is available with concentrations in composition, music education, ethnomusicology, and musicology.

In addition to offering many courses in Western classical, vocal and instrumental music, the department specializes in non-Western music, notably the musics of Asia and the Pacific.

The MA and PhD programs are fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

 
 
Degree Requirements
 

All graduate students at UHM need to meet degree requirements set by the Graduate Division and their graduate programs. For general Graduate Division requirements, see Degree Requirements. Below is an overview of the degree requirements for this graduate program.

 

MA / MMus Degree Requirements
Depending on the chosen area of concentration, a student may select either Plan A (thesis) or Plan B (non-thesis), see below.

Areas of Concentration Available Plan
ethnomusicology, musicology, theory, and composition

An ethnomusicology thesis is usually based on fieldwork. Composition students must compose an original work in one of the larger forms, plus write a detailed essay on the background and problems involved or a detailed theoretical analysis of the work.
Plan A
performance

Students are required to give a public recital. Prior to the recital, each student will meet with the recital committee for a one-hour oral exam to discuss historical and analytical aspects of the works to be performed in the graduate recital.
Plan B
music education

Students who opt for Plan B need to pass a comprehensive three-hour exam, exhibiting strength in written expression and a grasp of the essentials of the broad field of music education. In addition, they need to complete a project or paper about some specific aspect of music education, whose size and scope will be determined by the student and the faculty member directing the project.
Plan A or Plan B

Degree requirements are as indicated below:

  • Plan A requires 30 credits (including eight credits of thesis research), a written thesis and defense of the thesis.
  • Plan B requires 30 credits.
  • Both plans require a general exam.
  • Some concentrations require competence in foreign language(s):
Area of Concentration Language Requirements
composition none
ethnomusicology a reading or speaking knowledge of a foreign language relevant to the thesis research, or equivalent competence in linguistics
music education language appropriate to the area of research or research statistics
musicology a reading knowledge of French or German
performance (vocal performance only) one year of German and either one year of French or one semester each of French and Italian
theory a reading knowledge of French, German, or Latin

* * *

PhD Degree Requirements
The PhD program requires the following:

  • course work in ethnomusicology*,
  • MUS 659 Seminar in College Music Teaching,
  • supervised college teaching experiences,
  • reading proficiency in foreign language(s)**,
  • diagnostic and qualifying exams,
  • comprehensive exam (written and oral),
  • dissertation,
  • final oral exam / defense of dissertation.

* To ensure that all PhD graduates will be able to teach introductory courses in world music, the program places an emphasis on ethnomusicology courses for students who are not concentrating in the area of ethnomusicology.

** Before advancing to candidacy, students must demonstrate proficiency in relevant foreign languages as indicated below:

Area of Concentration Language Requirements
ethnomusicology one dissertation research language and one library research language
music education language appropriate to the areas of research or research statistics
musicology two European languages: German and one other language, preferably French

Courses
To view a listing of courses offered, visit www.catalog.hawaii.edu/courses/departments/mus.htm.

 
 
Related Program(s)
 
dance, theatre
 
 
 

Application Deadlines | Admissions Requirements | Program Overview | Degree Requirements
Contact Information | Degrees Offered | Graduate Faculty | Related Program(s)

 

© University of Hawai'i at Mānoa Graduate Division

Graduate Admissions Office
2540 Maile Way Spalding 354 Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8544 Fax: (808) 956-4261
Email: admissions@grad.hawaii.edu

 
2009-11-16
 
This Web site is intended solely to provide general information. The UHM Graduate Division makes no representation and accepts no liability for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of information found in this site. Viewers of this site are advised to contact the appropriate offices for the most up-to-date information.