About This Program
Immerse yourself in the rich cultural associations of music with our Ethnomusicology graduate program. Gain global coverage, theoretical perspectives and opportunities to communicate effectively within and outside the field. Enroll now to start your journey toward a career in world music or continued doctoral studies. Read more...
Contact Information
Program Delivery
Applications to the M.A. in Ethnomusicology are not being accepted at this time.
Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*
Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary
- 5.6% faster than the average
- 116,300 number of jobs
- $69,690 potential earnings
Archivists
- 7.9% faster than the average
- 8,100 number of jobs
- $56,760 potential earnings
Curators
- 12.6% much faster than the average
- 14,500 number of jobs
- $56,990 potential earnings
Musicians and singers
- 0.9% little or no change
- 175,600 number of jobs
- $N/A potential earnings
Music directors and composers
- 1.7% slower than the average
- 58,000 number of jobs
- $52,250 potential earnings
Museum technicians and conservators
- 11.6% much faster than the average
- 14,800 number of jobs
- $45,710 potential earnings
Accreditation
National Association of Schools of Music
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
Admission Requirements
Applications to the M.A. in Ethnomusicology are not being accepted at this time.
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
- Official transcript(s)
- Résumé
- Goal statement(s)
- Academic paper written in English
- Three letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
- Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
- Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
- Minimum 50 PTE score
- Minimum 100 DET score
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Recognize, identify, interpret and discuss theoretical concerns and important contributions of historical figures in the field of ethnomusicology, as well as representative music styles from different historical periods, countries and ethnic populations.
- Demonstrate and apply fieldwork techniques including proficiency with photography, videography and audio recording, interviewing and participant-observation research.
- Demonstrate the ability to plan and execute an efficient and productive lecture presentation in an academic setting for use at professional conferences, concert performances and classroom teaching that includes time management, clear and effective explanation, efficient use of multi-media and successful question and answer interactions.
- Utilize and discuss theoretical issues related to ethnomusicology and related disciplines, such as socio-cultural identity, semiotics, gender studies, politics and power, ritual studies, globalization and hybridity.
- Identify, explain and utilize performance pedagogy.
- Analyze compositional forms, appropriate to the specific vocal or instrumental areas of study.
- Display performance and interpretation skills in music.
School of Music Graduate Study
Theory Placement Examination
All entering graduate students (except those in the online music education degree program) take a placement examination in music theory at the beginning of enrollment in a graduate degree program. Graduate theory coursework required as a result of this examination will be counted toward the degree requirements. Graduate students who do not pass the placement examination will need to complete MUS 51011 and/or MUS 51012, depending on their specific test results. Students may retake the examination once.
Program Requirements
Each student will be accepted as a major in a specific curricular area. It may be necessary for the student to complete Kent State University requirements for the appropriate undergraduate degree. Each student's academic requirements are based on the catalog in force during his/her first semester at Kent State University. Students may elect to complete their degrees under the most recent catalog but must comply with all of the new requirements relevant to their program under the new catalog.
Master's Thesis, Essay, Recital and Final Oral Examination
All Master of Arts candidates must write a thesis. All Master of Music candidates in Performance and Conducting must perform two recitals or one recital and write an essay depending on their specific degree requirements. Final Oral Examinations are required in all masters programs and this exam will include thesis defense for the Master of Arts candidates. The final oral examination may be attempted two times.
Research Tool Requirement
Candidates for the Master of Arts degree program in Ethnomusicology must demonstrate a reading and understanding knowledge of one foreign language. Credit hours earned in meeting this requirement are not applied toward the credit-hour requirement in the degree program.
For candidates for the Music Theory-Composition Ph.D. program, this requirement may be either a reading translating knowledge of one foreign language or a demonstrated competence in an area of research specified by the doctoral advisory committee and approved by the Graduate Studies Committee. Credit hours earned in meeting this requirement are not applied toward the credit-hour requirement in the degree program. For candidates for the Music Education Ph.D. program, this requirement is MUS 73283 and related research methods courses in the College of Education. These courses are applied toward the credit-hour requirement for the degree.
PhD. Candldacy Exams, Dissertation and Dissertation Defense
Doctoral candidates will take a comprehensive examination upon completion of their coursework and research tool requirement. This candidacy exam normally takes place within four years of beginning coursework. All doctoral candidates write a dissertation and defend this dissertation in a Final Oral Examination. The dissertation phase normally is completed within five years of passing the candidacy exams.
Time Limits
Master of Arts and Master of Music students must complete their degree within six calendar years after their first graduate registration at Kent State University. Any credit transferred for meeting degree requirements must also have been earned within the six-year period.
Ph.D. students must complete their degree within nine calendar years after their first doctoral registration at Kent State University. Any credit transferred for meeting degree requirements must also have been earned within the nine-year period.
Workshop Credit
A maximum of 4 credit hours of workshop credit may be applied to certain graduate degrees. The credit hours must pertain to the degree emphasis. Only workshop credits with grades of A or B may be transferred into a degree program.
Full Description
The Master of Arts degree in Ethnomusicology is designed to offer students a solid foundation in regional studies of music style, performance practice, history and cultural associations in order to prepare students for continued graduate studies at the doctoral level and/or public sector careers in world music. The program integrates theoretical perspectives relevant to the discipline with these practical aims, so that students can communicate effectively with persons within and outside the field of ethnomusicology.
While a balanced global coverage is emphasized, Kent State music faculty focus on studies in Central Africa, mainland Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Caribbean, North and South America and the Middle East, as well as popular music studies. Theoretical concerns include sociocultural identity, semiotics, gender studies, politics and power, ritual studies, globalization and hybridity, as well as studies in inter-related arts (e.g., dance and theatre).
