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College of Creative Arts and Media School of Music

Musicology, MA

In our 2-year Master of Arts in Musicology program, you will develop a broad understanding of the primary methods used in musicological and ethnomusicological research.

Courses and seminars explore a wide range of musical repertories and scholarly debates, and our curriculum encourages students to meaningfully engage with the field through pedagogical training and focused research.

In recent years, several students enrolled in musicology graduate studies at WVU have also pursued a Master of Music degree in Music Performance, earning both degrees in a total of 6 semesters. A total of 12 credits may be shared between the 2 degree programs.

Your Degree Plan

Explore music in its historical and cultural contexts while advancing your research skills and expanding your career opportunities.

As a Musicology student, your coursework will include:

  • Foundational courses in research, pedagogy, theory/analysis, and current perspectives of the fields of musicology and ethnomusicology
  • Musicology seminars and courses focusing on specific periods, genres, or regions
  • 6 elective graduate credits to explore other disciplines and departments as you develop your research, creative, and teaching interests

Recent graduates have entered leading North American doctoral programs or have found employment in occupations drawing heavily on the expertise and skills developed through our degree program.

Places and Spaces

See where you’ll study, research, and create.

View of Creative Arts Center from a distance on a spring day

Canady Creative Arts Center

The Loulie, Valerie, and William Canady Creative Arts center boasts 4 exhibition spaces, 5 performance spaces, 33 individual practice rooms, and 50 classrooms and studios with plenty of space to create. The loading dock at the rear of the building is a wonderful open-air space with stunning acoustics.
Explore the Canady Creative Arts Center

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Requirements

To be eligible for admission into a graduate program at WVU an applicant must submit official, bachelor's degree transcripts from a regionally accredited institution and hold a GPA of at least 2.75. WVU operates decentralized admissions. Decentralized admissions allows each graduate program to set its own application requirements in addition to the University requirements.

Admission Requirements

Additional application considerations:

  • Contact the School of Music for additional application requirements, which include letters of recommendation.
  • For Writing Sample: Representative sample of academic writing (minimum 10 pages)

Applications that are incomplete or are submitted after the deadline may be reviewed if openings remain.

International applicants must also submit required documents for international applicants.

Application Deadlines

Each graduate program sets their own terms for admission and application deadlines. Applicants can only apply for admission for the terms displayed below. Any questions regarding the application deadline should be directed to the graduate program representative.

  • Fall: March 1
  • Spring: January 1

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