Master of Social Work - Traditional
The traditional Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the University at Buffalo is des...
M.A. in Music History
Buffalo, New York
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.A. in Music History at UB is a 38-credit hour program that combines comprehensive academic training with a degree of flexibility, allowing students to tailor their education to align with their specific career aspirations. It is designed to cultivate sophisticated researchers and scholars capable of engaging with complex musical and historical issues. The program fosters an immersive environment for students to explore various avenues in musical scholarship, with emphasis on developing unique approaches to musicology that both engage with and contribute to the field.
Curriculum: The 38-credit curriculum for the M.A. in Music History requires core coursework in music history seminars and music theory seminars. Students must complete a certain number of credits in these foundational areas, along with a "MUS 500 Masters Colloquium," fostering interdisciplinary insights. The program culminates in a comprehensive exam and a portfolio of two revised seminar papers, demonstrating the student's mastery of historical research and analytical skills. Coursework often covers major periods of Western music history, including medieval, Renaissance, 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Electives and faculty specialties may also delve into areas like film music, Russian and Soviet music, the Second Viennese School, criticism, philosophy, aesthetics, and popular music studies.
Research Focus: The M.A. in Music History at UB boasts a strong research focus on historical musicology, encouraging students to explore deep questions about music and its place in society across different eras. Faculty research interests are diverse, encompassing major periods of Western music history, as well as specialized areas such as film music, country music, the Second Viennese School, criticism, philosophy, aesthetics, and popular music studies. The program supports the development of unique research approaches that engage with and contribute to the field of musicology. Students benefit from access to UB's extensive music library, a crucial resource for historical research, particularly rich in contemporary music. The curriculum also exposes students to traditional modes of archival research, historical methodology, notation, and bibliography.
Industry Engagement: While primarily an academic program, the M.A. in Music History at UB provides training in highly transferable skills valued in various professional contexts. The program prepares graduates for roles in archives, publishing, and public scholarship, areas that connect academic research with broader audiences and industries. The rigorous training in critical thinking, research, writing, and analysis is directly applicable to careers in cultural institutions, historical societies, and media. The University at Buffalo's broader engagement with the arts community, including the Center for the Arts and events like "June in Buffalo," may offer tangential opportunities for students to connect with professional practices, though direct "industry engagement" like mandatory internships are not explicitly highlighted for this specific program. Additionally, the option to pursue a dual degree with an M.S. in Information and Library Science for music librarianship clearly indicates a pathway to a specific industry role.
Global Perspective: The M.A. in Music History at UB fosters a global perspective by examining music within its diverse historical and cultural contexts. While there is a strong emphasis on Western music history, the curriculum can include areas of interest such as film music and popular music studies, which inherently possess global dimensions. The program's diverse faculty and the university's broad international student body and academic community contribute to a rich intellectual environment where different musical traditions and their global interconnections can be explored. Students are encouraged to develop unique approaches to music that consider its global implications and diverse cultural expressions, preparing them to engage with musicology from an informed international viewpoint.
Location
Buffalo, New York
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 28210
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 90 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 61 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 120.
The University at Buffalo (UB) offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically aimed at supporting international students who wish to pursue their studies in the United States. These scholarships are designed to reward academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement, helping to make education more affordable for talented students worldwide.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UB provides competitive merit scholarships to outstanding international undergraduate and graduate students. Awards such as the International Student Academic Excellence Scholarship recognize high-achieving students based on their academic records, standardized test scores, and extracurricular involvement.
Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships: Graduate international students can apply for teaching assistantships, research assistantships, and fellowships which offer tuition remission and stipends. These opportunities allow students to gain valuable teaching and research experience while offsetting the cost of their education.
Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at UB offer scholarships tailored to students in specific programs or fields of study. These awards may consider academic merit, research interests, or financial need.
External Scholarships: UB encourages international students to explore external scholarship options from private organizations, governments, and international foundations that support study in the U.S. The university’s International Student Services office provides guidance on identifying and applying for such funding sources.
A Master of Arts (M.A.) in Music History from the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) is a rigorous graduate program that provides students with an in-depth understanding of Western music history across various periods, coupled with opportunities for specialized inquiry. Housed within a dynamic Department of Music, UB's program emphasizes critical academic training, strong faculty mentorship, and hands-on research. The M.A. in Music History at UB is an ideal pathway for students aspiring to doctoral studies in musicology, seeking teaching positions, or pursuing careers in public scholarship, archival work, and related fields within the broader music and cultural sectors. Graduates emerge with highly refined skills in historical research, analytical thinking, critical writing, and cultural interpretation, making them versatile professionals.
Musicologist/Academic Researcher: The primary path for many, involving conducting advanced scholarly research on music history, theory, and culture, publishing in academic journals, presenting at conferences, and potentially pursuing a Ph.D. for a university professorship.
Music Librarian/Archivist: Specializes in organizing, preserving, and providing access to music scores, recordings, and historical documents in academic libraries, public libraries, or specialized archives. UB offers a dual degree with an M.S. in Information and Library Science for this specific career.
Arts Administrator/Program Manager: Works for orchestras, opera companies, music festivals, cultural institutions, or non-profit arts organizations to plan, curate, and manage musical programs, events, and educational initiatives.
Music Critic/Journalist: Writes reviews, articles, and features about musical performances, recordings, and historical topics for newspapers, magazines, websites, or scholarly publications, bringing historical context to contemporary musical discussions.
Museum Curator (Music/Sound Exhibits): Researches, acquires, interprets, and displays musical instruments, artifacts, and sound recordings for museums and cultural heritage institutions, often designing engaging exhibits.
Music Editor/Publisher: Works for academic presses, music publishers, or educational content developers, editing scholarly texts, preparing musical scores for publication, or developing educational materials about music history.
Public Historian (Music Focus): Engages public audiences with music history through historical societies, national parks, historical sites, or independent projects, developing exhibitions, oral histories, or interpretive programs.
Educator (Secondary or Community College): Teaches music history, appreciation, or theory at the secondary school level (often with additional certification) or at community colleges, sharing their passion and knowledge with students.
Research Analyst (Music Industry): Utilizes historical and analytical skills to research trends, catalog music for streaming services, or provide historical context for artist profiles and marketing strategies within the broader music industry.
Grant Writer (Arts/Humanities): Applies strong research and writing skills to secure funding for arts organizations, educational programs, or cultural initiatives related to music and its history, typically for non-profit entities.
