Master of music

The Master of Music (M.M. or M.Mus.) is, as an academic title, the first graduate degree in Music awarded by universities and music conservatories. The M.Mus. combines advanced studies in an applied area of specialization (usually music performance, composition, or conducting) with graduate-level academic study in subjects such as music history, music theory, or music pedagogy. The degree, which takes one or two years of full-time study to complete, prepares students to be professional performers, conductors, and composers. The M.Mus. is often required as the minimum teaching credential for university, college, and conservatory instrumental or vocal teaching positions.

The M.Mus. is widely available in performance (sometimes with a specialization in pedagogy and/or music literature), composition, conducting, and music education. In 2005, Boston University launched an online Master of Music program in music education, the only fully online program at this level. The music education degree may also be awarded as a more specifically titled Master of Music Education. The master's degree in music theory, musicology, and ethnomusicology is typically the Master of Arts (M.A.). Nevertheless, some universities in the UK (e.g. Sheffield University) utilise the M.Mus. as a special research degree. Programs focusing on sacred or church music may alternatively be labeled Master of Church Music (M.C.M.) or Master of Sacred Music (M.S.M.).

M.Mus. students typically complete applied studies, such as lessons or mentoring with a professor, and take courses within their area of specialization. In many M.Mus. programs, all of the different M.Mus. streams (e.g., performance, composition, conducting) take a common core of music theory and music history courses.

Some programs additionally require a sub-specialization in a cognate area within music, such as music history or performance practice, which contributes to their area of specialization. For example, a student doing an M.Mus. in Baroque violin might do a sub-specialization in Baroque music history. Some institutions permit M.Mus. students to do a sub-specialization in a field outside music that contributes to their professional and academic goals. For example, a student completing a M.Mus. in piano pedagogy may be able to do a sub-specialization in the psychology of learning in the university's department of psychology.

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