M.A. in Music

Program Overview

The M.A. in Music program at Montclair State University typically requires 30-40.5 credit hours, depending on the chosen concentration, and is designed to accommodate various student needs, including full-time and part-time study. The Cali School of Music offers several distinct concentrations within the M.A. in Music, including Composition, Music Education, and Music Therapy. Each concentration offers specialized coursework and culminating experiences tailored to its specific discipline, such as a field project for Music Education or a thesis for Music Therapy. The program aims to prepare students for the professional music world and for advanced academic pursuits, encouraging exploration of diverse musical styles and aesthetics.

AACSB-Accredited: No, the M.A. in Music program at Montclair State University is not AACSB-accredited. AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation is exclusively for business programs and business schools. The John J. Cali School of Music, where the M.A. in Music is housed, is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), which is the recognized accrediting agency for music and music-related disciplines.

Curriculum: The curriculum for the M.A. in Music varies significantly by concentration, but all pathways provide advanced training in musical artistry and scholarship. For the Composition concentration, students engage in classes and private lessons in traditional and electronic composition, orchestration, arranging, counterpoint, analysis, style, and history. The Music Education concentration focuses on advanced skills in music and pedagogy, fostering a balance of theory and practice, and includes courses in critical issues, technology, and psychology of music. The Music Therapy concentration combines supportive psychology and research courses with applied work, covering assessment, clinical improvisation, group music therapy, and supervision. All concentrations emphasize theoretical understanding, practical application, and artistic development.

Research Focus: The research focus within the M.A. in Music program is applied and scholarly, particularly within the Music Education and Music Therapy concentrations. For example, in Music Education, students often undertake an action research project where they identify a problematic issue within their own classroom and design a research project to address it. In Music Therapy, students complete a thesis or a field project that includes professional-level writing, allowing them to engage in in-depth scholarly investigation. For Composition, the research focus is on developing personal compositional styles and exploring new and old sounds and aesthetics. The Cali School of Music's overall environment supports artistic and scholarly inquiry, with faculty engaged in diverse areas of music research and creation.

Industry Engagement: Montclair State University's M.A. in Music program demonstrates strong industry engagement by preparing graduates for direct entry into the professional music world. The program is designed to develop "creative leaders of tomorrow" whether as performers, educators, composers, or therapists. The Cali School of Music benefits from its proximity to New York City, providing students with access to a vibrant cultural capital and opportunities for collaboration and performance. Programs like the Cali Collective Ensemble (part of the Artist Diploma Certificate, but indicative of the school's ethos) focus on preparing young professional musicians for careers integrating performance, teaching, community engagement, advocacy, and entrepreneurship, highlighting strong connections to professional practice. Internships and practical experiences are often integral, especially in Music Therapy and Music Education.

Global Perspective: The M.A. in Music program inherently incorporates a global perspective through the study and performance of diverse musical traditions and the exploration of music's universal impact. The Cali School of Music prides itself on being "open to all styles and aesthetics of music," which naturally fosters an appreciation for global musical diversity. While not explicitly outlined as a standalone course, the curriculum for composition encourages students to discover and study music from various cultures and historical periods. Music Therapy, by its nature, often considers the cultural context of therapeutic practices. The university's diverse student body and faculty further enrich this global outlook, promoting an understanding of music's role in a globally interconnected world.