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| Undergraduate Degree Programs | Graduate
Degree Programs |
Undergraduate Degree Programs and Options
Bachelor of Music Focuses on the performance and study
of music. The
conservatory-level curriculum can be enhanced with virtually hundreds of
courses found across the University.
IMPORTANT: For complete information on all degrees offered at the
Bienen School of Music, please download the Undergraduate Music Student Handbook
on our Student Handbooks page.
Courses of study leading to the bachelor of music degree:
- Winds and Percussion
- Strings (includes harp and guitar)
- Voice and Opera
- Piano
- Jazz Studies
- Music Cognition
- Music Composition
- Music Education (Graduates
meet all requirements for teacher certification in State of Illinois and
most other states; tracks include choral, instrumental or general)
- Musicology
- Music Technology
- Music Theory
- Music Academic Studies Combines work in composition, education, history,
technology and theory
- Ad
Hoc (Self-designed major) Students may design
a degree program that cuts across specializations to meet
individual needs and career ambitions. It is planned in
consultation with faculty and area professionals with expertise
in the particular area of interest. Ad hoc specializations
have included such areas as arts administration, music
criticism, music theater production, and popular musicology.
Students must petition for this program after matriculation.
Bachelor of Arts Offers a broad liberal arts education
with a major in music. Course requirements are essentially identical to those
for the B.A. in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, and the music major
may include such diverse areas as cultural musicology, cognitive studies of
music, and advanced technology for music. This program's key feature is the
planning and execution of a senior project which is an ideal stepping stone
to further education or to any career in which the individual is deepened and
enriched by knowledge of music.
Although this is essentially a non-performance degree, an audition is required
as part of the application for admission.
Dual Degrees
If you have exceptionally strong interests in music and another field, this
option offers the opportunity to earn two separate degrees (music plus one
in an outside field) in five years. The Bienen School partners with Northwestern’s
Judd A. and Marjorie Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, Robert R. McCormick
Scholl of Engineering and Applied Science, and Medill School of Journalism
so that you may pursue both your passions side-by-side.
Music and Liberal
Arts (BA/BMus)
Qualified students may earn both a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Weinberg
College of Arts and Sciences and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Bienen
School of Music. Curricular programs are developed after students arrive on
campus. Students wishing to join this joint program after matriculation must
file a formal application before the end of their sophomore year and must meet
the admissions standards of both schools. Fulfillment of both sets of requirements
will require five years (15 quarters) of full-time study.
Music and Engineering
(BS/BMus or BS/BAMus)
Students may earn in five years both a Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Arts
in music degree from the Bienen School of Music, plus a Bachelor of Science
degree from the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science. Every
requirement demanded by each degree must be fulfilled. Students may apply directly
from high school or before beginning their sophomore year at NU, and must be
accepted by both schools.
Music and Journalism
(BM/BSJ or BAMus/BSJ)
Northwestern offers extremely talented students the opportunity to earn in
five years both a Bachelor of Music, or Bachelor of Arts in Music, degree from
the Bienen School of Music and a Bachelor of Science degree from the Medill
School of Journalism. See the program checksheet in the appendix of the Undergraduate
Student Handbook (PDF download) for degree requirements. To be considered
a candidate for the five-year combined degree program, a student must audition
and gain acceptance into the Bienen School of Music. The student's file also
music be reviewed and accepted by Medill. Students typically apply for admission
to this program as incoming freshmen. To apply after arriving at Northwestern
as a music-only student, students should contact the Director of Student Life
at Medill for application procedures.
Double Majors
Double Majors within the School of Music
Students are welcome
to complete two majors within the Bienen School of Music. Double
majors are allowed in any two areas with the exception of two performance majors.
Double majors in a performance area and composition must be approved by the
applied lesson teacher in both areas, the program coordinator in both areas,
and the assistant dean for admission and student affairs. Students pursuing
two music fields must satisfy the requirements of both majors; a single degree
(BM) is awarded, with two majors, upon completion of the requirements in both
areas. For most students, this can be accomplished within the four-year
time span.
Double Majors between two Schools
Students in the Bachelor of Music program
may also have a second major in another area in WCAS. A single degree (BM) is awarded, with two majors,
upon completion of the requirements in both areas. For most students,
this can be accomplished within the normal four-year time span. Second
majors in schools other than WCAS must be approved by the associate/assistant
dean of that school. Bienen School of Music students may also choose
to leave the Bienen School of Music for another school at Northwestern and
may still complete their music major as a second major, although in these cases
no degree from the Bienen School of Music will be awarded.
Minors
Minors for Music Majors
Bienen School of Music students may elect to complete a minor comprising six
to nine courses. A notation is made on transcripts indicating participation
in this program.
- Arts Administration
- Commercial Music
- Jazz Studies
- Music Cognition
- Music Composition
- Music Criticism
- Music Technology
- Music Theory
Several other minors are housed outside the school of music:
Art and Technology
This program provides an interdisciplinary bridge between academic areas
involved with the artistic application of technology. Courses range from surveys
of art and technology to artistic projects designed and executed by interdisciplinary
groups of students and faculty. The program is administered by the Center for
Art and Technology.
Sound Design
This program provides both theory and practical application of sound design
within various artistic mediums, including film, sound installations, and new
media. It is administered by the Center for Art and Technology.
Music Theatre Certificate Program
Bienen School of Music students majoring in voice and School of Communication
students majoring in theater may create a second area of specialization in
music theatre. This program is offered jointly by the Bienen School of Music
and the School of Communication.
Minors for Non-Music Majors
Students outside the Bienen School of Music may elect to complete a minor
comprising six to nine courses. A notation is made on transcripts indicating
participation in this program.
- Commercial Music
- Jazz Studies
- Music Cognition
- Music Composition
- Music Technology
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Graduate Degree Programs and Options
Find general info here on:
Master of Music (MM) | Certificate
in Performance (CP) |
Doctor of Music (DM) | Doctor
of Philosophy (PhD) |
IMPORTANT: For complete information on all degrees offered
at the Bienen School of Music, please download the Graduate
Music Student Handbook on our Student
Handbooks page.
Master of Music (one-year
and two-year programs)
Combines the study of performance,
pedagogy, music theory, music history, and scholarly research
and writing. Individualized programs, developed in consultation
with an advisor, may be developed through the use of electives.
One Year MM (12 credits)
Two Year MM (18 credits)
For more information on curricula or questions about any aspect
of the graduate program, contact musiclife@northwestern.edu.
Also read this additional
information for Music Education.
Special Options
Double Majors
Students meeting both the entrance and the terminal requirements
of two programs may receive a master's degree with two areas of
concentration. Applicants should indicate their interest on the
application for admission, and must submit appropriate materials
for both programs. Curriculum is determined under the supervision
of the Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies,
and the faculty coordinators of both programs. As some courses
may satisfy the requirements of both degrees, a double major will
require at least 18 units of credit but may require as many as
24. Double majors are taken in one area of applied music study
and one academic area. Two performance areas are not permitted.
Double Degree in Musicology and Music Librarianship
Master of Music students in musicology may pursue a double degree
(MM/MLS) in musicology and library science in conjunction with
Dominican University, River Forest, IL.
Northwestern University/Chicago Symphony Orchestra Civic Fellowship
Master of Music students in string performance who audition for
and are accepted by the Civic Orchestra of Chicago (the training
orchestra of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra) may be eligible for
full-tuition scholarships for two years of study toward the MM
degree in string performance.
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Certificate in Performance
IMPORTANT: For complete information on all degrees offered
at the Bienen School of Music, please download the Undergraduate
Music Student Handbook on our Student
Handbooks page.
Intensive
one-year program beyond the master's degree for students wishing
to focus on their musical development. It comprises private study
and elective work within the Bienen School of Music, including
two recitals (three for strings) and nine units of coursework.
Private performance study for all quarters and recitals are the
only proscribed requirements. The remainder of the coursework must
be at the graduate level and approved by the advisor.
- Piano
- Strings
- Voice and Opera
- Winds and Percussion
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Doctor of Music
IMPORTANT: For complete information on all degrees offered
at the Bienen School of Music, please download the Undergraduate
Music Student Handbook on our Student
Handbooks page.
Designed
to foster the development of both musical artistry and scholarly
achievement. The intense, two-year residency requires students
to study their instrument or composition for the entire period
and to complete a rigorous course load that provides a strong background
in supporting academic areas. In preparation for future career
opportunities, the doctoral student typically is expected to develop
teaching skills through structured experiences or individualized
internships. All programs require at least 18 units of study.
Each DM student has an Advisory Committee, comprising faculty
members from both performance and academic areas. This committee
supervises progress towards the degree, approves recitals, lectures
and documents, and administers the Qualifying Exams.
Students may enter the DM in Music Technology or DM in Music Composition
following the completion of a bachelor's degree.
All entering doctoral students receive the equivalent of full
tuition funding.
Recitals
Three or four professional-level recitals are required. Composition
students must present one full recital of original works. Music
for all recitals is subject to the prior approval of the DM Advisory
Committee.
Qualifying Examination
These written and oral exams test students in their specific performance
area and related pedagogy, music history and bibliography, and
music theory. Exams are usually taken after most course work has
been completed and after the successful presentation of the first
recital.
Foreign Language Requirement
All DM programs have a foreign language requirement that is typically
a reading knowledge of French or German.
Written Projects or Major Document
All DM students must submit
written documents that receive a total of one unit of credit. Specific
degree programs require students to either complete several smaller
projects or one major document. In either case, the document(s)
must represent intensive, original research that makes a meaningful
contribution to knowledge in the student's field. This work is
supervised by the student's Advisory Committee.
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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
IMPORTANT: For complete information on all degrees offered
at the Bienen School of Music, please download the Undergraduate
Music Student Handbook on our Student
Handbooks page.
- Please note that the PhD admission process uses The Graduate
School's online application.
Additionally, a number of materials must be sent directly to
the Bienen School of Music. For
a full list of the required supporting materials, visit Graduate
Application Info.
The Bienen School of Music's distinctive PhD program is structured
to take full advantage of the many and varied academic opportunities
available at Northwestern University. Majors are offered in music
cognition, music education, and musicology.
Students in this integrated program design a course of study incorporating
their individual interests and a broad-based approach to contemporary
music research. A unique aspect of this program is a cognate area
requirement in a non-music field such as cultural studies, social
sciences, learning sciences, humanities, arts, or communication
studies.
Each student pursues a major field of study in close consultation
with a faculty advisor. Faculty coordinators who assist with assignment
of advisors are:
At several key points in the student's program of study, a department-wide
assessment process asks students to demonstrate that they are making
appropriate progress. This evaluation includes:
- preliminary portfolio assessment at the end of the first year
or beginning of the second year
- successful demonstration of foreign language proficiency (as
required by the major area)
- teaching demonstration in the form of a classroom or other
professional presentation similar to the sessions the Bienen
School of Music requires as a part of its own faculty search
procedures
- written comprehensive examination including approval of a dissertation
prospectus
- oral defense of the comprehensive examination
- public lecture, paper, or presentation outside the Bienen School
of Music, to be given before completion of the dissertation.
(This is designed to stimulate early involvement in the presentation
of original research at the regional, national, or international
level.)
- completion of a Ph.D. dissertation based on original, independent
research
- final evaluation, consisting of a public defense of the dissertation
Full-time residency of nine academic quarters is required of all
students, with three of those quarters waived if a student enters
with a master's degree.
Prospective students in musicology, and in music cognition may
enter after the completion of a bachelor's degree.
Music education students must have completed a masters degree,
hold state certification, and have taught at least three years.
Music Theory and Cognition students can read additional information
contained in the Music
Theory & Cognition PhD Frequently Asked Questions file (PDF
download).
Program of Study
Curricula Distribution (27 units, or 18 beyond the master's degree)
- Departmental Colloquium (0 units)
- Major Area (9 units)
- Cognate Area (3 units)
- All students are required to take three 300- or 400-level
courses outside the Bienen School of Music in an approved cognate
area. Students whose work touches fields such as cognitive
psychology, learning sciences, performance studies, comparative
literature, linguistics, cultural anthropology, African studies,
acoustics, film, or dance are encouraged to take enough coursework
in these areas to develop meaningful intellectual connections
and true depth of understanding. The purpose of this requirement
is to learn to think as a scholar in another field — a
fundamentally epistemological orientation
- Electives, including 590 Research (12 units)
Other Curricular Offerings
Beyond the core pro-seminar series, the PhD program includes a
cluster of courses that function inter-programmatically. These
include Improvisation and World Musicianship, Multimedia Software
Development, Music Cognition, Psychology of Music Teaching and
Learning, Creative Thinking in Music, Music Historiography, Music
and Meaning, Music Aesthetics, Ethics of Ethnography, and Music
and Film.
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