MA Music (Ethnomusicology) at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Master of Arts program in music with a concentration in ethnomusicology helps you develop skills in scholarship and performance as you focus on aspects of one or more of the world's musical cultures. You can learn from traditions outside the Western European canon through participation in ensembles such as Javanese gamelan, Latin marimba, mariachi, steel pan and world percussion ensemble.

What you will study

30 credit hours, a thesis, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam and a foreign language exam Required Core (13 credit hours) MHL 532 Music Bibliography (3) MHL 668 Introduction to Ethnomusicology (3) MUP 587 Ethnomusicology Ensembles (1-2) music theory (5) Electives (11 credit hours) music electives (6-9) open electives (2-5) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) MHL 599 Thesis (6) Additional Curriculum Information At least 20 credit hours for the program must be in the field of ethnomusicology or related fields approved by the student's advisor, complemented by courses in music theory, performance and cultural anthropology, as listed above.

Career pathways

Musicians with expertise in performing, composing, teaching and researching; arts advocacy; and music therapy are in high demand across many sectors and industries. Career examples: arts administrator, community arts advocate, ethnomusicologist, performing musician, public or community school teacher, university professor.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution or from an international institution officially recognized by that country. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00= "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00= "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee School of Music, Dance and Theatre application , including a resume, personal statement and writing sample three letters of recommendation official transcripts proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. The School of Music, Dance and Theatre does not offer conditional admission under any circumstances.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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