The mission of the Mead Witter School of Music is:
- to provide a rich, integrated program of undergraduate and graduate education that promotes the highest levels of professional, creative, and scholarly development while challenging students to achieve their greatest potential;
- to cultivate an environment that inspires creativity, stimulates intellectual curiosity, and fosters critical thinking; and
- to serve the university community, the public, and the profession through performance, composition, scholarship, music education, outreach, and engagement.
The Mead Witter School of Music enriches students' educational experience by hosting guest artists and scholars for master classes, recitals, colloquia, seminars, and festivals. Its performing organizations and ensembles perform more than 350 recitals and concerts every year, making a significant contribution to the cultural life of the university and the wider Madison community.
Degrees and Majors
The master of arts in music is offered with concentrations in the two areas of historical musicology and music theory.
A double master's degree with the Information School is also offered.
Each master's degree pathway varies slightly and may impose additional requirements. Details on the degrees are available through the Requirements tab. Contact the Mead Witter School of Music graduate office for further information about the MA degree.
The MA–music degree offers tracks in historical musicology and music theory. The appropriate faculty area appoints an advisor for each new student the first semester of enrollment. When the time comes for comprehensive examinations in the second year, an examination committee is formed. Upon completing the thesis, the student sits for an oral examination by the examination committee, consisting of members of the area faculty.
Mentoring of students is of prime importance to faculty members at Mead Witter School of Music. The faculty advisor and the director of graduate studies both guide the student's course planning. While each faculty member has a unique style of mentoring, every student can be assured of abundant time working closely with more than one mentor in addition to the advisor during the course of a UW–Madison degree program.
Facilities
The Mosse Humanities Building, built in 1969, houses most of the music classrooms, rehearsal rooms, faculty studios, and 111 practice rooms. Most recitals and concerts take place in one of three performance spaces: Mills Concert Hall, Morphy Recital Hall, and Eastman Organ Recital Hall. The school's extensive collection of instruments, both common and unusual, is available to both faculty and students. Music Hall with its clock tower, built in 1879, is a campus landmark. Renovated in 1985, it is the home of the opera program. The new Hamel Music Center includes a concert hall, a recital hall, and a large ensemble rehearsal space.
Memorial Library is the home of the Mills Music Library, which offers extensive research and circulating collections, attractive study space, and personal staff assistance with research. Music materials on campus number over half a million, ranging from scores and sheet music to archival collections and historic audio recordings. Through Mills Music Library and other UW–Madison libraries, students have access to a wide range of online research databases as well as millions of articles, books, and streaming media. All genres of music are represented, with notably strong collections in Americana and ethnic music. Nationally known special collections include the Tams–Witmark Collection, a treasury of early American musical theater materials, and the Wisconsin Music Archives.
Admissions
Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.
Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.
| Fall Deadline | December 1 |
| Spring Deadline | This program does not admit in the spring. |
| Summer Deadline | This program does not admit in the summer. |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | Not Required. |
| English Proficiency Test | Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1241 |
| Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 3 |
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in music (or equivalent foundational coursework). The MA application will require two substantial samples of academic writing, preferably (but not mandatorily) on a topic in Musicology or Music Theory. In the Statement of Purpose, candidates should discuss their academic and professional goals as well as their qualifications to serve as a Teaching Assistant in the School of Music. No audition or interview is required for the MA application. For details of the application process, please visit the Mead Witter School of Music graduate admissions website.
Funding
Graduate School Resources
The Bursar’s Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Program Resources
The Mead Witter School of Music offers teaching assistantships in music history, music theory, music education, piano, conducting, voice, and other performance areas. These positions offer tuition remission plus a salary and health care benefits. In addition, the Mead Witter School of Music nominates qualified applicants for Graduate School Fellowships. Many students also take advantage of work-study opportunities on campus, and many are employed part-time in area musical organizations or business entities. Feel free to direct questions about any of these funding opportunities to the Mead Witter School of Music graduate admissions office.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum degree requirements and policies, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Major Requirements
Mode of Instruction
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | No | No | No |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.
Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules. Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.
Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.
Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats. Contact the program for more specific information.
Online: These programs are offered 100% online. Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.
Curricular Requirements
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 30 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 16 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | 15 credits must be graduate-level coursework. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244. |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.25 GPA required. |
| Other Grade Requirements | Grades below B cannot fulfill program requirements. Mead Witter School of Music financial awards are suspended if a student is on probation for more than one semester. A student’s satisfactory progress is also in jeopardy should the Master's thesis be judged incomplete or deficient. Failure of one or more parts of the comprehensive examinations is also considered a lapse in satisfactory progress. |
| Assessments and Examinations | In addition to evaluations in individual classes, Mead Witter School of Music programs examine graduate students at defined points in their career. For the MA, comprehensive examinations measure the candidate’s range of musical knowledge in the field. |
| Language Requirements | The Musicology curricular pathway requires German. See details below. |
Required Courses
Direct any questions about the coursework or required proficiencies to the Mead Witter School of Music graduate admissions office at gradadmissions@music.wisc.edu.
Musicology Pathway1
Entering students will take a short diagnostic examination in music history during the first week of classes to be used for advising purposes only.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework in Musicology | ||
| Complete from the following courses: | 9 | |
| Survey of Music in the Middle Ages | ||
| Survey of Music in the Renaissance | ||
| Survey of Music in the Baroque Era | ||
| Survey of Music in the Classic Era | ||
| Survey of Music in the Romantic Era | ||
| Survey of Music in the Twentieth Century | ||
| Music in the United States | ||
| Historical Performance Practices | ||
| Survey of Opera | ||
| Historical Music Theories 1 | ||
| Historical Music Theories 2 | ||
| Musicology Seminars | ||
| Complete seminar, taken twice for 3 credits each | 6 | |
| Seminar in Musicology | ||
| Ethomusicology | ||
| Complete from the following: | 3 | |
| Proseminar in Ethnomusicology | ||
| Ethnographic Methods for Music and Sound | ||
| Research Methods | ||
| MUSIC/L I S 619 | Music Research Methods and Materials | 3 |
| Theory Proficiency | ||
| Satisfied by completion of one graduate-level course taught by music theory faculty. Theory credits may be applied toward electives. Select from the following: 2 | 3 | |
| Orchestration I | ||
| Renaissance Polyphony | ||
| Baroque Counterpoint | ||
| Form and Analysis | ||
| Form and Analysis II | ||
| Historical Music Theories 1 | ||
| Historical Music Theories 2 | ||
| Schenkerian Analysis | ||
| Post-tonal Analysis | ||
| Current Issues in Musical Thought 1 | ||
| Seminar in Composition | ||
| Thesis | ||
| The following courses may fulfill this requirement: 2 | ||
| MUSIC 990 | Masters Thesis (consult advisor for details) | 2 |
| Electives (numbered 300 or above) | 4 | |
| Language Proficiency: German required | ||
| Language study may be satisfied by one of the following: | ||
Four semesters of undergraduate study completed during the last five years, earning a grade of B or better in the last semester OR | ||
Taking the GERMAN 391 earning a grade of B or better OR 3 | ||
Study on your own or through courses offered by the Division of Continuing Studies. Contact the Division of Continuing Studies or https://continuingstudies.wisc.edu/languages/ | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.
- 2
Other courses do not fulfill this requirement unless specifically approved by the music theory and musicology faculty.
- 3
Other courses do not fulfill this requirement unless specifically approved by the musicology faculty.
Music Theory Pathway1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Courses in Music Theory and Composition | ||
| Complete from the following. The first four courses are recommended. 2 | 12 | |
| Historical Music Theories 1 | ||
| Historical Music Theories 2 | ||
| Schenkerian Analysis | ||
| Post-tonal Analysis | ||
| Renaissance Polyphony | ||
| Baroque Counterpoint | ||
| Form and Analysis | ||
| Form and Analysis II | ||
| Current Issues in Musical Thought 1 | ||
| Seminar in Composition | ||
| Research Methods | ||
| MUSIC/L I S 619 | Music Research Methods and Materials | 3 |
| Musicology and/or Literature Courses | ||
| Complete from the following courses: 3 | 6 | |
| Survey of Music in the Middle Ages | ||
| Survey of Music in the Renaissance | ||
| Survey of Music in the Baroque Era | ||
| Survey of Music in the Classic Era | ||
| Survey of Music in the Romantic Era | ||
| Survey of Music in the Twentieth Century | ||
| Music in the United States | ||
| Historical Performance Practices | ||
| Survey of Opera | ||
| Proseminar in Ethnomusicology | ||
| Ethnographic Methods for Music and Sound | ||
| Seminar in Musicology | ||
| Seminar in Ethnomusicology | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Complete 4 credits of following: | 4 | |
| Masters Thesis | ||
| Electives | ||
| Complete coursework in the School of Music numbered 300 or above. These may include Music (MUSIC) and Music-Performance (MUS PERF) courses. | 5 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.
- 2
Other courses do not fulfill this requirement unless specifically approved by the music theory faculty.
- 3
Other courses do not fulfill this requirement unless specifically approved by the musicology and music theory faculty.
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures serve as the official document of record for Graduate School academic and administrative policies and procedures and are updated continuously. Note some policies redirect to entries in the official UW-Madison Policy Library. Programs may set more stringent policies than the Graduate School. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Major-Specific Policies
Prior Coursework
Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy. Students may transfer up to 9 credits with faculty approval. Additional credits may transfer with department curriculum committee approval.
Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy. Note that the Mead Witter School of Music faculty rarely approve these exceptions.
Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.
Credits Earned as a University Special student at UW–Madison
The program allows up to 6 UW-Madison University Special Student credits to transfer. Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.
Probation
MA students who fail to make satisfactory progress in any of the four following areas: grades, course load, time limits, or exams, will be notified in writing by the director of graduate studies. At the end of the second semester of failing to make satisfactory progress the student is placed on probation effective the next semester. This action suspends financial aid (but does not affect loans or work-study). For details see Satisfactory Progress for Master's Students.
Advisor / Committee
All programs provide for faculty from several disciplines to follow the student’s progress through the degree, provide mentorship along the way, and assess the student’s success in reaching expected learning outcomes. Committee structures differ among degrees and majors. The principal advisor for most graduate students in the Mead Witter School of Music is generally referred to as the major professor.
In MA and PhD programs the advisor may not be the eventual thesis or dissertation advisor. In all programs the major professor is determined with the student's particular interests in mind. The director of graduate studies is also an advisor for all graduate students in Mead Witter School of Music programs. Students are expected to consult with the director of graduate studies at least once per semester to determine appropriate course plans. Consultation is mandatory in the semester before intended graduation.
MA students have a committee of three or more graduate faculty, including the major professor.
Credits Per Term Allowed
15 credit maximum. Refer to the Graduate School: Maximum Credit Loads and Overload Requests policy.
Time Limits
MM and MA students not receiving university funding are expected to complete requirements and pass comprehensive examinations within seven years from the time of enrollment in the program. While graduate students may enroll on a part-time basis, this time constraint still applies.
All MM and MA students holding teaching assistant, project assistant, or fellowship appointments must complete requirements for the degree within four semesters (not counting summer sessions or thesis credits). If the appointment is more than 33.4% the expectation is to complete requirements in the sixth semester.
Grievances and Appeals
These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:
- Bias or Hate Reporting
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
- Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
- Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
- Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
- Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
- Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)
L&S Policy for Graduate Student Academic Appeals
Graduate students have the right to appeal an academic decision related to an L&S graduate program if the student believes that the decision is inconsistent with published policy.
Academic decisions that may be appealed include:
- Dismissal from the graduate program
- Failure to pass a qualifying or preliminary examination
- Failure to achieve satisfactory academic progress
- Academic disciplinary action related to failure to meet professional conduct standards
Issues such as the following cannot be appealed using this process:
- A faculty member declining to serve as a graduate student’s advisor.
- Decisions regarding the student’s disciplinary knowledge, evaluation of the quality of work, or similar judgements. These are the domain of the department faculty.
- Course grades. These can be appealed instead using the L&S Policy for Grade Appeal.
- Incidents of bias or hate, hostile and intimidating behavior, or discrimination (Title IX, Office of Compliance). Direct these to the linked campus offices appropriate for the incident(s).
Appeal Process for Graduate Students
A graduate student wishing to appeal an academic decision must follow the process in the order listed below. Note time limits within each step.
- The student should first seek informal resolution, if possible, by discussing the concern with their academic advisor, the department’s Director of Graduate Studies, and/or the department chair.
- If the program has an appeal policy listed in their graduate program handbook, the student should follow the policy as written, including adhering to any indicated deadlines. In the absence of a specific departmental process, the chair or designee will be the reviewer and decision maker, and the student should submit a written appeal to the chair within 15 business days of the academic decision. The chair or designee will notify the student in writing of their decision.
- If the departmental process upholds the original decision, the graduate student may next initiate an appeal to L&S. To do so, the student must submit a written appeal to the L&S Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Academic Affairs within 15 business days of notification of the department’s decision.
- To the fullest extent possible, the written appeal should include, in a single document: a clear and concise statement of the academic decision being appealed, any relevant background on what led to the decision, the specific policies involved, the relief sought, any relevant documentation related to the departmental appeal, and the names and titles of any individuals contributing to or involved in the decision.
- The Assistant Dean will work with the Academic Associate Dean of the appropriate division to consider the appeal. They may seek additional information and/or meetings related to the case.
- The Assistant Dean and Academic Associate Dean will provide a written decision within 20 business days.
- If L&S upholds the original decision, the graduate student may appeal to the Graduate School. More information can be found on their website: Grievances and Appeals (see: Graduate School Appeal Process).
Other
n/a
Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
College of Letters and Science Resources
The College of Letters and Science's SuccessWorks program can assist with professional development and with identifying opportunities.
Learning Outcomes
- Articulates and critiques the theories, research methods, and approaches to inquiry in music-related scholarship.
- Identifies and employs a variety of sources and analytical approaches to inform discussion of topics in music.
- Demonstrates knowledge of musical study in historical and cultural contexts.
- Selects appropriate methodologies for research and discussion of musical topics.
- Rationally evaluates and synthesizes information from both primary sources and secondary scholarship, posing original questions and offering fresh insight into musical topics.
- Communicates clearly, both verbally and in writing, to colleagues in the field.
- Recognizes and applies principles of ethical and professional conduct.
Accreditation
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) since 1966.
Accreditation status: Accredited. Next accreditation review: 2032-2033; final 2022-2023 report forthcoming.