Graduate Certificate Program in Musicology

The Graduate Certificate Program in Musicology is designed to prepare a Music DMA/PhD student to teach introductory courses in musicology and ethnomusicology at the undergraduate level. The Certificate requires 15 credits – including Musicology 501, 502, and 509, one Musicology 500-level elective, and one Musicology 600-level elective – as well as a 50-minute teaching presentation followed by an oral examination. Required coursework taken to fulfill Musicology curriculum requirements for SMTD DMA and Rackham PhD programs may double count towards fulfilling the Certificate coursework requirement. Any additional coursework taken by DMA/PhD students to satisfy the Musicology “Coursework Alternative” (to the Musicology General Preliminary Examination) is not required for, and does not apply to, the Certificate coursework requirement.

In keeping with Rackham guidelines, students must apply separately to the graduate Certificate Program in Musicology. Applicants must demonstrate aptitude for historical and ethnomusicological study of music by submitting a brief statement of interest, CV/resumé, grade transcripts, and a sample of their written work to be reviewed by the faculty director (or faculty committee) that oversees the Certificate Program in Musicology.

Curriculum

A core of three required courses designed to augment and refine students’ understanding of the methods, materials, and approaches available to scholars and teachers in the field of musicology:

Musicology 501 (Musicology Research Methods: Historical Musicology), 3 cr
Musicology 502 (Musicology Research Methods: Ethnomusicology), 3 cr
Musicology 509 (Musicology Pedagogy), 3 cr
One additional Musicology 500-level elective, 3 credits (double counted)
One additional Musicology 600-level elective, 3 credits (double counted)

In order to guarantee a sufficient mastery of the skills developed in each course, students will be required to attain an average grade of “B” or higher in courses chosen to count toward the Graduate Certificate in Musicology.

Final Teaching Presentation

Students will prepare a 50-minute teaching presentation on a topic chosen by the student and approved by the faculty director (or faculty committee) that oversees the Certificate Program in Musicology. The aim is to put the student into the sort of situation that a future teaching position might involve on a daily basis. Department faculty and students as well as guests invited by the certificate student may attend the teaching presentation. The teaching presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session with a Musicology faculty committee about the preparation, design, content, delivery, and teaching objectives of the presentation. Faculty guidance in teaching is an important component of the Certificate program. In addition to completing Musicol 509, a required three-credit course on Musicology Pedagogy, students must consult with a Musicology faculty mentor of their choice while designing and preparing the teaching presentation. It is not required that the student enroll in an independent study course such as Musicology 581 to prepare for the teaching presentation.

Sample Path to Complete All Musicology Requirements and Graduate Certificate

Music Bibliography Course

MUSICOL 503 (or petition for a waiver to satisfy MUSICOL 503 with prior coursework)

Basic SMTD/Rackham Musicology requirements

1 course in MUSICOL 500-level or above (excluding MUSICOL 501, 502, 503, 509)
1 course in MUSICOL 500-level or above (excluding MUSICOL 501, 502, 503, 509)
1 course in MUSICOL 600-level or above

SMTD/Rackham Coursework Alternative (or test out of coursework alternative to satisfy requirement)

1 course in MUSICOL 500-level or above (excluding MUSICOL 501, 502, 503, 509)
1 course in MUSICOL 500-level or above (excluding MUSICOL 501, 502, 503, 509)

Certificate Requirements (beyond all other courses above)

MUSICOL 501 (Musicology Research Methods: Historical Musicology)
MUSICOL 502 (Musicology Research Methods: Ethnomusicology)
MUSICOL 509 (Musicology Pedagogy)
Final teaching presentation with oral exam component

Program Requirements

Degree requirement descriptions detailing course options and final project information.

Certificate Handbook

Eligibility and Application

In keeping with Rackham Guidelines for Certificate Programs, students apply separately to the Certificate Program.

In order to qualify for consideration for admission to the program, students must be enrolled in one of SMTD’s doctoral programs and have satisfied all of the elements of the Transfer Proficiency Examination, including the 20th-century component. This may be accomplished by taking the exams, or successfully completing the appropriate courses.

To add the Certificate Program in Musicology to your degree:

Complete the SMTD Artistic Profile application
- Upload your academic transcripts (including SMTD transcripts)
- Personal Statement explaining what you hope to achieve in the program
- Recommendation letter from a current Musicology faculty member (optional, but recommended)
Complete the Rackham Graduate School’s online Add a Degree or Certificate Program.

In order to be accepted into the program, students must demonstrate particular aptitude for musicology. This may be demonstrated by: