Program Description
The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Music: Theory (Thesis) offered by the Schulich School of Music is a research-intensive program that emphasizes specialized and innovative learning opportunities. The program's objective is to equip students with skills in literature review, research design, and scientific communication to either continue their studies or pursue professional opportunities.
The program may also be taken as the Gender and Women's Studies option which focuses on issues centrally related to gender, sexuality, feminist theory, and/or women’s studies. This option is offered in collaboration with the McGill Institute for Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies.
Keywords: analytical models, analysis of music, interdisciplinary research, history of music theory, contemporary developments, pedagogical training.
Unique Program Features
- The program explores how specific pieces of music are put together and how this may be generalized to relate to the way other pieces of music are composed, including music theory, various analytical models and the critical issues that define the discipline;
- Faculty members have a breadth of experience in early music theory, formal functions, Schenkerian analysis, mathematical models, theories of rhythm and meter, serialism, and popular music analysis;
- The School houses several performance spaces, research & production laboratories, and two libraries with a vast collection of music resources. It is also home to the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology (CIRMMT), an inter-institutional research centre containing six dedicated research labs and work spaces.
University-Level Admission Requirements
- An eligible Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA out of a possible 4.0 GPA
- English-language proficiency
Each program has specific admission requirements including required application documents. Please visit the program website for more details.
Visit our Educational credentials and grade equivalencies and English language proficiency webpages for additional information.
Program Website
MA in Music Theory website
Department Contact
Graduate Program graduateadmissions.music [at] mcgill.ca (subject: MA%20in%20Music%20Theory%20(Thesis)) (email)
Available Intakes
Fall
Application Deadlines
| Intake | Applications Open | Application Deadline - International | Application Deadline - Domestic (Canadian, Permanent Resident of Canada) |
|---|---|---|---|
| FALL | September 15 | December 1 | December 1 |
| WINTER | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| SUMMER | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Note: Application deadlines are subject to change without notice. Please check the application portal for the most up-to-date information.