Master's Programs
Credit Requirements and Limitations
Language Requirements For Master's Students
Credit Requirements and Limitations
Thirty credits are required for the MA and MM degrees, including a minimum number of credits (12 for students in the Plan A Thesis program, and 18 for students in the Plan B Non-Thesis program) in 600-level courses, excluding 699 and thesis 700. No more than 4 credits in ensembles may be applied to the degree. Students are advised that it typically takes two years at the University of Hawai`i to complete a master's degree. Also, the ethnomusicology degree is ordinarily based on field work, which may extend the time required to complete this degree.
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Residency Requirements
Two semesters of full-time work or four six-week summer sessions of full-time status would fulfill the residency requirement. Full-time status for summer session is defined as enrolled in at least 8 credits total per pair of summer sessions, e.g., 6 credits for the first summer session and 2 credits for the second summer session, etc.
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Language Requirements For Master's Students
Some areas of concentration require foreign language competence. For information on testing, see FOREIGN LANGUAGE TESTING.
- 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: Requirement for vocal performance area 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.
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Time Allowed to Complete the Degree
All work must be completed within seven years after admission into the master's program. Credits earned prior to the seven-year period are not valid for application toward the degree.
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Additional Area Requirements
Composition
Three original scores which are representative of various forms and media, and a recording of at least one of the three submitted works. Applicants must also have a bachelors degree in music composition (or equivalency in course work), or submissions of music scores that demonstrate sufficient preparation for studies in composition at the master's level.
Ethnomusicology
A personal statement of 800 words minimum (3 pages) including the purpose of study. Background in cultural anthropology is desirable and, depending on the thesis research, may be required.
Music Education
- B.Ed. degree (music education) or equivalent
- Minimum one year of paid, full-time music teaching experience at the elementary, intermediate, or secondary level in a public or private school.
- Of the three letters of recommendation for admission, two must be from a past or present principal or other supervisor.
- One of the following: (a) a video tape of a teaching demonstration (or classroom presentation) or, (b) in-person teaching demonstration.
Musicology
Sample of academic writing proficiency (a minimum 10-page term paper from an upper division music history course is preferred).
Performance
An audition of works representative of various musical styles. An applicant not residing in Hawai`i must submit an unedited tape recording comparable in scope and length to an in-person audition and, if admitted, will audition before the department admissions faculty before the student registers for the first semester of residency to ascertain appropriate placement in the curriculum sequence. A recent University of Hawai`i at Manoa graduate may be admitted without a hearing if the BM senior recital is considered to be of high enough quality by the majority of the department admissions faculty.
Theory
Sample of academic writing proficiency (undergraduate term paper, etc.)