Admission

The deadline for application to the M.A. and Ph.D. programs in ethnomusicology is January 15 for entry the following fall.

Applications for admission should be submitted online to the School of Graduate Studies. Information about the admission procedures for the School of Graduate Studies can be found in the University Calendar. Please consult this information for full details. Additional information for international students can be found at here

Admission Criteria:

M.A. Coursework - Minimum B+ in a Bachelor of Music or other relevant degree in the Humanities or Social Sciences with evidence of specialization in music, or equivalent.

M.A. Thesis - Minimum B+ in a Bachelor of Music or other relevant degree in the Humanities or Social Sciences with evidence of specialization in music, or equivalent.

Ph.D. - Minimum B+ in M.A. in Music or other relevant degree in the Humanities or Social Sciences with evidence of specialization in music, or Master of Music, or equivalent.

An application consists of the following:

  1. A completed Application Form
  2. A 800-word statement outlining specific research interests and reasons for undertaking an advanced degree in Ethnomusicology.
  3. Two letters of reference from individuals acquainted with the applicant’s academic and artistic work.
  4. One or two samples of recent essays.

Our admissions committee will be happy to review other musical materials if you wish to send them (i.e. compositions, tapes, videotapes), but these types of supplemental materials are not required.

Applications from graduates of Music programs and from cognate disciplines are encouraged. Applicants from a discipline other than Music will be expected to demonstrate the following skills:

  • Competent performance in any musical tradition, as judged by a musician knowledgeable about that tradition.
  • Knowledge of culturally appropriate language for discussion of performance techniques in that tradition.
  • Ability to discuss musical details on the basis of aural and/or written sources, as appropriate to that tradition.

Candidates for admission may, at the discretion of the department, be required to write diagnostic examinations measuring skills and knowledge in music literacy, theory, or aural perception. Candidates with deficiencies in any of these areas may be required to take remedial course work prior or in addition to the required program.