School of Music

Composition, Theory and Technology

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Music Theory and Composition

Current Curriculum Plans
UF Catalog

Bachelor of Music (BM)
Composition

Current Curriculum Plans 
UF Catalog

Theory

Current Curriculum Plans 
UF Catalog

Master of Music (MM)

The Master of Music degree includes core courses in music as well as courses in the area of specialization. A secondary concentration may be added and will require additional coursework.

Secondary concentrations are listed below. Interested students will need to declare their desire to add a second concentration, apply for the program and complete the necessary paperwork in order to officially add a second concentration. Admission to a second concentration will be determined by the faculty in that area. No more than one concentration beyond the major specialization may be attempted. One member of the supervisory committee must represent the secondary concentration. Unless indicated otherwise, courses required for the second concentration may not also fulfill specific degree requirements in the area of primary specialization. However, courses in the second concentration may, at the discretion of the student’s supervisory committee, be used to fulfill approved elective credit in the primary degree area.

MM Advisor: Dr. Jonathan Helton, jhelton@ufl.edu

Composition
degree requirements (32 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUS 6716 Research and Bibliography
3
MUC 6444 Composition of Electronic Music or other approved MUT 6000/7000 course
3
MUT 6629 Analytical Techniques
3
MUH/MUL 5/6/7000
3
MUT 6000/7000
3
MUC 6930 Graduate Composition*
3
MUS 6973** Individual Project
3-6
Approved Music Electives (6000/7000)
6-9

*Students must enroll in composition studio every semester prior to thesis.

**Graduate original composition in lieu of written thesis.

Secondary Concentration
Choral Conducting (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUG 6105 Graduate
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
MUH/MUL/MUT 6000/7000 Approved Courses
3
Secondary Concentration
Electronic Music (Secondary Concentration) (12 credits)
Courses
Credits

Four courses, 12 credits, from the following

MUC 5315 Introduction to Electroacoustic Music
3
MUC 6444 Composition of Electroacoustic Music
3
MUC 6445 Electroacoustic Music Composition: Digital I*
3
MUC 6446 Electroacoustic Music Composition: Digital II*
3
MUC 7447 Advanced Seminar in Electroacoustic Music*
3
MUC 7938 Seminar in Digital Sound Processing, Control, and Composition*
3

*Indicates the required sequence for Music Composition majors.

Secondary Concentration
Ethnomusicology (11 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUH 5505 Introduction to Ethnomusicology
3
MUH/MUL 5/6/7000 Approved Courses***
6
MUN 6496 World Music Ensemble
2

***An original research project in one of the MUH courses will be required.

Secondary Concentration
Instrumental Conducting (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUG 6105 Graduate
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
MUH/MUL/MUT 6000/7000 Approved Courses
3
Secondary Concentration
Jazz Studies (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUT 6177 Graduate Jazz Theory
3
MUC 6625 Jazz Composition and Arranging
3
MVO 6460 Performance Principle (Jazz Studio)
3
MUS 6973 Individual Project or Recital
3
Secondary Concentration
Music Business & Entrepreneurship (Secondary Concentration) (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUM6007 Strategic Music Entrepreneurship Development
3
MUM 6501 Music Production in Commercial Media
3

Additional Course (students choose one):

MUM 6008 Foundations of Music Business
3
MUM 6565C Multimedia Production for the Music Industry
3
Secondary Concentration
Music Education (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUE 6785 Research in Music Education
3
MUE 6080 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Music Education
3
MUS 6685 Psychology of Music
3
MUE 6931 Instructional Design in Music Education
3

(any 3 of the 4 classes may be taken to complete the 2nd concentration)

Secondary Concentration
Music History and Literature (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUH 5684 Introduction to Historical Musicology
3
MUH/MUL 5/6/7000 Approved Courses***
9

MUS 6716 Research Methods is a prerequisite for entrance into the concentration. Reading and/or speaking knowledge of an appropriate foreign language is strongly recommended. Also fulfills MUH/MUL course requirements in the first concentration.

***An original research project in one of the MUH courses will be required.

Secondary Concentration
Music Performance (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MVO 6460 Performance
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
Secondary Concentration
Music Theory (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUT 6751 Pedagogy of Music Theory
3
MUT 6936 Music Theory Seminar
3
MUT6000/7000 elective*
3

*in addition to MUT 3 Credit requirements in the first concentration

Secondary Concentration
Piano Pedagogy (Secondary Concentration) (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MVK 6651 Piano Pedagogy
3
MVK 6661 Advanced Piano Pedagogy
3
MUS 6940 Supervised Teaching
3
Secondary Concentration
Sacred Music (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUT 6531 or 6445 Figured Bass and Continuo or Advanced Counterpoint
3
MUR 6206 Survey of Hymnody
3
MUR 6705 Sacred Music Literature
3
Electronic Music (Secondary Concentration)

Current students may speak with the composition area about adding this as a secondary concentration to their master's program of study.

Secondary Concentration
Choral Conducting (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUG 6105 Graduate
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
MUH/MUL/MUT 6000/7000 Approved Courses
3
Secondary Concentration
Composition (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUC 6930 Graduate Composition
6
MUC 5000/6000/7000 Elective
3
Secondary Concentration
Ethnomusicology (11 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUH 5505 Introduction to Ethnomusicology
3
MUH/MUL 5/6/7000 Approved Courses***
6
MUN 6496 World Music Ensemble
2

***An original research project in one of the MUH courses will be required.

Secondary Concentration
Instrumental Conducting (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUG 6105 Graduate
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
MUH/MUL/MUT 6000/7000 Approved Courses
3
Secondary Concentration
Jazz Studies (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUT 6177 Graduate Jazz Theory
3
MUC 6625 Jazz Composition and Arranging
3
MVO 6460 Performance Principle (Jazz Studio)
3
MUS 6973 Individual Project or Recital
3
Secondary Concentration
Music Business & Entrepreneurship (Secondary Concentration) (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUM6007 Strategic Music Entrepreneurship Development
3
MUM 6501 Music Production in Commercial Media
3

Additional Course (students choose one):

MUM 6008 Foundations of Music Business
3
MUM 6565C Multimedia Production for the Music Industry
3
Secondary Concentration
Music Education (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUE 6785 Research in Music Education
3
MUE 6080 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Music Education
3
MUS 6685 Psychology of Music
3
MUE 6931 Instructional Design in Music Education
3

(any 3 of the 4 classes may be taken to complete the 2nd concentration)

Secondary Concentration
Music History and Literature (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUH 5684 Introduction to Historical Musicology
3
MUH/MUL 5/6/7000 Approved Courses***
9

MUS 6716 Research Methods is a prerequisite for entrance into the concentration. Reading and/or speaking knowledge of an appropriate foreign language is strongly recommended. Also fulfills MUH/MUL course requirements in the first concentration.

***An original research project in one of the MUH courses will be required.

Secondary Concentration
Music Performance (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MVO 6460 Performance
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
Secondary Concentration
Music Theory (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUT 6751 Pedagogy of Music Theory
3
MUT 6936 Music Theory Seminar
3
MUT6000/7000 elective*
3

*in addition to MUT 3 Credit requirements in the first concentration

Secondary Concentration
Piano Pedagogy (Secondary Concentration) (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MVK 6651 Piano Pedagogy
3
MVK 6661 Advanced Piano Pedagogy
3
MUS 6940 Supervised Teaching
3
Secondary Concentration
Sacred Music (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUT 6531 or 6445 Figured Bass and Continuo or Advanced Counterpoint
3
MUR 6206 Survey of Hymnody
3
MUR 6705 Sacred Music Literature
3
Music Business & Entrepreneurship (Secondary Concentration)

Current students may speak with the Business & Entrepreneurship area about adding this as a secondary concentration to their master's program of study.

Secondary Concentration
Choral Conducting (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUG 6105 Graduate
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
MUH/MUL/MUT 6000/7000 Approved Courses
3
Secondary Concentration
Composition (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUC 6930 Graduate Composition
6
MUC 5000/6000/7000 Elective
3
Secondary Concentration
Electronic Music (Secondary Concentration) (12 credits)
Courses
Credits

Four courses, 12 credits, from the following

MUC 5315 Introduction to Electroacoustic Music
3
MUC 6444 Composition of Electroacoustic Music
3
MUC 6445 Electroacoustic Music Composition: Digital I*
3
MUC 6446 Electroacoustic Music Composition: Digital II*
3
MUC 7447 Advanced Seminar in Electroacoustic Music*
3
MUC 7938 Seminar in Digital Sound Processing, Control, and Composition*
3

*Indicates the required sequence for Music Composition majors.

Secondary Concentration
Ethnomusicology (11 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUH 5505 Introduction to Ethnomusicology
3
MUH/MUL 5/6/7000 Approved Courses***
6
MUN 6496 World Music Ensemble
2

***An original research project in one of the MUH courses will be required.

Secondary Concentration
Instrumental Conducting (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUG 6105 Graduate
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
MUH/MUL/MUT 6000/7000 Approved Courses
3
Secondary Concentration
Jazz Studies (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUT 6177 Graduate Jazz Theory
3
MUC 6625 Jazz Composition and Arranging
3
MVO 6460 Performance Principle (Jazz Studio)
3
MUS 6973 Individual Project or Recital
3
Secondary Concentration
Music Education (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUE 6785 Research in Music Education
3
MUE 6080 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Music Education
3
MUS 6685 Psychology of Music
3
MUE 6931 Instructional Design in Music Education
3

(any 3 of the 4 classes may be taken to complete the 2nd concentration)

Secondary Concentration
Music History and Literature (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUH 5684 Introduction to Historical Musicology
3
MUH/MUL 5/6/7000 Approved Courses***
9

MUS 6716 Research Methods is a prerequisite for entrance into the concentration. Reading and/or speaking knowledge of an appropriate foreign language is strongly recommended. Also fulfills MUH/MUL course requirements in the first concentration.

***An original research project in one of the MUH courses will be required.

Secondary Concentration
Music Performance (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MVO 6460 Performance
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
Secondary Concentration
Music Theory (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUT 6751 Pedagogy of Music Theory
3
MUT 6936 Music Theory Seminar
3
MUT6000/7000 elective*
3

*in addition to MUT 3 Credit requirements in the first concentration

Secondary Concentration
Piano Pedagogy (Secondary Concentration) (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MVK 6651 Piano Pedagogy
3
MVK 6661 Advanced Piano Pedagogy
3
MUS 6940 Supervised Teaching
3
Secondary Concentration
Sacred Music (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUT 6531 or 6445 Figured Bass and Continuo or Advanced Counterpoint
3
MUR 6206 Survey of Hymnody
3
MUR 6705 Sacred Music Literature
3
Music Theory
degree requirements (32 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUS 6716 Research and Bibliography
3
MUT 6936 Music Theory Seminar
3
MUT 6629 Analytical Techniques
3
MUT 6751 Pedagogy of Music Theory
3
MUH/MUL 5/6/7000
6
MUT 6000/7000
6
MUS 6971* Research for Master’s Thesis
3-6
Approved Music Electives (6000/7000)
3-6

*Graduate written thesis is required.

Secondary Concentration
Choral Conducting (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUG 6105 Graduate
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
MUH/MUL/MUT 6000/7000 Approved Courses
3
Secondary Concentration
Composition (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUC 6930 Graduate Composition
6
MUC 5000/6000/7000 Elective
3
Secondary Concentration
Electronic Music (Secondary Concentration) (12 credits)
Courses
Credits

Four courses, 12 credits, from the following

MUC 5315 Introduction to Electroacoustic Music
3
MUC 6444 Composition of Electroacoustic Music
3
MUC 6445 Electroacoustic Music Composition: Digital I*
3
MUC 6446 Electroacoustic Music Composition: Digital II*
3
MUC 7447 Advanced Seminar in Electroacoustic Music*
3
MUC 7938 Seminar in Digital Sound Processing, Control, and Composition*
3

*Indicates the required sequence for Music Composition majors.

Secondary Concentration
Ethnomusicology (11 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUH 5505 Introduction to Ethnomusicology
3
MUH/MUL 5/6/7000 Approved Courses***
6
MUN 6496 World Music Ensemble
2

***An original research project in one of the MUH courses will be required.

Secondary Concentration
Instrumental Conducting (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUG 6105 Graduate
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
MUH/MUL/MUT 6000/7000 Approved Courses
3
Secondary Concentration
Jazz Studies (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUT 6177 Graduate Jazz Theory
3
MUC 6625 Jazz Composition and Arranging
3
MVO 6460 Performance Principle (Jazz Studio)
3
MUS 6973 Individual Project or Recital
3
Secondary Concentration
Music Business & Entrepreneurship (Secondary Concentration) (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUM6007 Strategic Music Entrepreneurship Development
3
MUM 6501 Music Production in Commercial Media
3

Additional Course (students choose one):

MUM 6008 Foundations of Music Business
3
MUM 6565C Multimedia Production for the Music Industry
3
Secondary Concentration
Music Education (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUE 6785 Research in Music Education
3
MUE 6080 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Music Education
3
MUS 6685 Psychology of Music
3
MUE 6931 Instructional Design in Music Education
3

(any 3 of the 4 classes may be taken to complete the 2nd concentration)

Secondary Concentration
Music History and Literature (12 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUH 5684 Introduction to Historical Musicology
3
MUH/MUL 5/6/7000 Approved Courses***
9

MUS 6716 Research Methods is a prerequisite for entrance into the concentration. Reading and/or speaking knowledge of an appropriate foreign language is strongly recommended. Also fulfills MUH/MUL course requirements in the first concentration.

***An original research project in one of the MUH courses will be required.

Secondary Concentration
Music Performance (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MVO 6460 Performance
6
MUS 6973 Individual Project
3
Secondary Concentration
Piano Pedagogy (Secondary Concentration) (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MVK 6651 Piano Pedagogy
3
MVK 6661 Advanced Piano Pedagogy
3
MUS 6940 Supervised Teaching
3
Secondary Concentration
Sacred Music (9 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUT 6531 or 6445 Figured Bass and Continuo or Advanced Counterpoint
3
MUR 6206 Survey of Hymnody
3
MUR 6705 Sacred Music Literature
3
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Composition
major area (36-42 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUC 6444 Composition of Electronic Music
3
MUC 6930 Graduate Composition
6
MUC 7931 Advanced Graduate Composition*
12-18
MUC/MUT 6000/7000**
15-18

*Students will enroll in private composition study (MUC 6930/7931) every semester prior to dissertation.

**Students with an electroacoustic focus, or mixed acoustic/electroacoustic curriculum, take the sequence MUC 6445, MUC 6446, followed by MUC 7447 and/or MUC 7938

cognate (12-14 credits)
Courses
Credits
Interdisciplinary Cognate* or Performance Cognate**
12-21
MVO 6460/7460 Music Performance Or MUG 6105/7106 Graduate/Advanced Conducting
6
MUS 7905 Projects and Problems in Music Performance
3
MUN 6010 Graduate Ensembles
3-5

*Interdisciplinary Cognate consists of either 12-21 credits outside of music, with a maximum of 6 credits of upper-division (3000/4000 level) undergraduate coursework, or a combination of courses from music and external departments totaling 12-21 GRADUATE credits.

**Student must audition and be accepted into performance or conducting studio at graduate performance level.

supportive class (24-30 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUE 6385 Music in Higher Education
3
MUS 6416 Methods of Research and Bibliography
3
MUS 6940 Supervised Teaching
3
MUT 6629 Analytical Techniques
3
MUT 6751 Pedagogy of Music Theory
3
MUH/MUL 6000/7000
6
Approved Elective (MUE, MUH, MUL, MUS, MUT, Performance or Conducting)
0-9
dissertation (15 credits)
Courses
Credits
MUS 7980 Research for Doctoral Dissertation
15
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA)
Composition

The Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Florida is uniquely designed to prepare highly qualified, elite musicians for both higher education and artistic job markets. This degree is distinguished by the requirement of a cognate (to be determined by the end of the first semester) in a discipline outside of Music, such as Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Management, Arts in Medicine, Digital Media, or other areas suitable for interdisciplinary partnership.  Capstone experiences for the degree will include solo and chamber recitals, lecture recitals, and a doctoral project assimilating applied music and cognate disciplines.

major area (12 credits)
Courses
Credits

Concentration in Composition

MUC 7931 Advanced Graduate Composition
3
MUC 7931 Advanced Graduate Composition
3
MUC 7931 Advanced Graduate Composition
3
MUC 7931 Advanced Graduate Composition
3
major area (18-24 credits)
Courses
Credits

Music Core

MUE 6385 Music in Higher Education
3
MUS 6940 Supervised Teaching
3
MUT 6751 Pedagogy of Music Theory
3
MUC/MUT 6xxx/7xxx Music Composition/Theory
3
MUH/MUL 6xxx/7xxx Music History & Literature
3
Approved Electives (can be added to program) *
3-9
cognate (15-21 credits)
Courses
Credits

Cognate Courses Outside of Music

Cognate course
3
Cognate course
3
Cognate course
3
Cognate course
3
Cognate course
3
Cognate course - may be added*
3
Cognate course - may be added*
3

The cognate area of study provides a secondary skill set and knowledge base and will inform the doctoral project undertaken at the end of the degree. Students identify a cognate area by the end of the first semester of doctoral study. Multidisciplinary projects, with the permission of the supervisory committee, may allow for courses in more than one department outside of the School of Music. The graduate coursework taken in a discipline outside the School of Music may include an internship. (Please note: international students attending on the F1 visa can only apply for internships beginning year 2, which must be approved by the UF International Center in advance. Fuller details on the International Center's website.)

doctoral project (9 credits)
Courses
Credits

Preparations for Capstone

MUS 7951 Recital
3
MUS 7955 Prep Doctoral Project
3
MUS 7956 Doctoral Project
3

Comprehensive written and oral examinations take place in the spring of year 2. The primary focus of the written examination will be major areas of study in music history and music theory and analysis. Responses to questions should demonstrate general, comprehensive musical knowledge, as well as, where appropriate, applicable examples from one’s own discipline. Questions will focus on the synthesis and application of knowledge rather than on recall of information. The oral examination, including a prepared lecture, is undertaken only after successful passage of the written final examination. The doctoral project entails a creative presentation and an accompanying document detailing the assimilation of the music discipline and the outside cognate. This should happen no later than the beginning of the semester prior to the one during which the doctoral project will be undertaken. The doctoral project is intended to outline, detail, and summarize the topic, assimilating the candidate’s primary music discipline and his/her cognate discipline.

degree requirements (90 credits)
Courses
Credits

In Addition to the Above 60 credits

Transferred From Master's Degree
30

Major Core Coursework & Supportive Music Courses Must Include the Following or Analogous Courses

MUS 6716 Research/Bibliography
3
MUT6629 Analytical Techniques
3

*any combination of these courses may be used, but 4 hours at minimum must be included to make the total 90 hours overall minimum.

Minor in History/Ethnomusicology (Minor)

The Minor in Music History/Ethnomusicology is designed to give flexibility for students pursuing music as a secondary field while accommodating a broad range of interests. It exposes students to music within a variety of cultures of the world throughout time. Students will learn musical repertoires through listening and discussion and will learn the significance and meaning of music, as well as its function in society. Students may choose to specialize in one of two tracks for this minor: Music History or Ethnomusicology. The theory prerequisites ensure that students will have the vocabulary and understanding of basic musical structures to participate successfully in MUH courses.

REQUIRED

• Two sequential theory courses, to be determined by Music Theory Placement Exam 
• MUH 2501 Introduction to World Musics

ELECTIVES

MUH/MUL 3/4000 Level (9)*

Select from:

• MUH 3530 Popular and Traditional Music of  Africa                      
• MUH 3541 Latin American Music
• MUL 3693 The American Musical 
• MUH 4016 History of Jazz 
• MUH 4930 Special Topics in Music History (as available) 

TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED: 18

A maximum of nine hours below the 3000 level will count toward this minor.

*Elective course offering will vary by year and semester. New courses may be added.

REGULATIONS

  • ALL STUDENTS MUST TAKE THE THEORY PLACEMENT EXAM BEFORE BEGINNING THEIR MINOR.
  • A TOTAL OF 12 OF THE HOURS MUST BE COMPLETED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA.
  • ALL COURSES MUST BE COMPLETED WITH A "C" OR BETTER (NO S/U).
  • COURSES WITH A 4905 NUMBER WILL NOT APPLY TO THE MINORS IN MUSIC PERFORMANCE.
  • THE STUDENT MUST SEE THE UNDERGRADUATE ADVISOR IN THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC BEFORE ENROLLING FOR COURSEWORK.

THE STUDENT MUST FILL OUT THE "APPLICATION FOR MINOR" WITH THE REGISTRAR AFTER BEING ACCEPTED INTO HIS OR HER COLLEGE

Minor in Music Theory (Minor)

The Minor in Music Theory is designed to meet the needs of students interested in theory alone. The Theory Placement Exam is required for placement into the music theory sequence.
This minor does not require an audition.

Students should have minimum of 6 semesters remaining prior to graduation order to complete this minor.

The following courses are required:

  • MUT 1111 & MUT 1241L : Music Theory 1 & Aural Skills 1*
  • MUT 1112 & MUT 1242L : Music Theory 2 & Aural Skills 2
  • MUT 2116 & MUT 2246L : Music Theory 3 & Aural Skills 3 
  • MUT 2117 & MUT 2247L : Music Theory 4 & Aural Skills 4


*Presumes student begins theory sequence with Music Theory 1 (MUT 1111). Students who place into Introduction to Music Theory Rudiments (MUT 1001) will take MUT 1111 & 1241L in the spring, followed by MUT 1112 & 1242L in the summer.

9 hours of elective at the 3000/4000 level, select from:

  • MUT 3321 : Arranging for Voices and Instruments MUT 3611 Form and Analysis 1
  • MUT 3612 : Form and Analysis 2 
  • MUT 4401 : Counterpoint 1 
  • MUT 4402 : Counterpoint 2 


TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED: 18-21 (Depending on the results of the Music Theory Placement Exam)
 

REGULATIONS

  • ALL STUDENTS MUST TAKE THE THEORY PLACEMENT EXAM BEFORE BEGINNING THEIR MINOR.
  • A TOTAL OF 12 OF THE HOURS MUST BE COMPLETED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA.
  • ALL COURSES MUST BE COMPLETED WITH A "C" OR BETTER (NO S/U).
Music Performance (Certificate)
Music In Medicine (Certificate)

Connect with the School of Music

Keep up with the latest news about faculty, alumni, friends and current students.