College of Visual and Performing Arts | Music | Music Degrees and Programs | Areas of Study | Music Theory

Music Theory

All undergraduate music majors complete three core music theory courses—Fundamentals of Western Music Theory (MUS 100), Introduction to Music Theory (MUS 101), and Introduction to Aural Skills (MUS 207)—and choose one of three options for diatonic music theory: Principles of Jazz Theory (MUP 204), Principles of Popular Music Theory (MUS 215), or Principles of Classical Music Theory (MUS 216). Following these foundational courses, students may choose from an assortment of rotating topics in Analysis of Post-Tonal Music (MUS 301), Topics in Music Theory I (MUS 305), and Topics in Music Theory II (MUS 306). Students may also elect upper-level courses in Tonal Counterpoint (MUS 439) and Advanced Tonal Analysis (MUS 482). See undergraduate theory requirements by program in the University Catalog.

Graduate courses in music theory are open to music students in master’s and doctoral degree programs as well as those in post-baccalaureate and post-master’s certificate programs. Our graduate offerings include:

MUS 639: Tonal Counterpoint
MUS 644: Pedagogy of Music Theory
MUS 660: Theory and Analysis of Rhythm
MUS 662: Schenkerian Analysis
MUS 664: Post-Tonal Theory
MUS 687: Aural and Keyboard Skills for Music Theory*
MUS 689: Practicum in Teaching Music Theory and Musicology*
MUS 690: Current and Historical Trends in Music Theory
MUS 692: Advanced Tonal Analysis
MUS 707: Seminar in Musical Analysis (topic varies; may be repeated once for credit)

*One-credit courses with program restrictions

Please consult the University Catalog for more course descriptions and Course Registration for current offerings.