Master of Sacred Music Degree Requirements

Program Director: Kenneth Hart

All M.S.M. students are required to take entrance exams in the areas listed below before beginning their first term of study. Students who do not pass a particular exam are required to take the following course(s) listed below:

1. Graduate Theory Review (MUTH 6123, 6124, 6125)
2. Music History Review (MUHI 5100)
3. Choral Conducting (MUCO 3208, 5210)

The requirements for the M.S.M. total 48 term hours, normally completed in three years, and are distributed as follows:

1. Twelve term hours in Theological Studies*
1. Six term hours of Bible
   OT 6301 Interpretation of the Old Testament I
   NT 6301 Interpretation of the New Testament I
2. Three term hours of WO 6313, Word & Worship**
3. Three term hours of ST 6300, Introduction to Theology, or three term hours of either HX 6305 The Christian Heritage I or HX 6306 The Christian Heritage II.
4. Participation in a Spiritual Formation Group for two terms during the first year
2. Ten term hours of Church Music Study
1. Three term hours of CM 8330 Church Music Colloquium I
2. Three term hours of CM 8331 Church Music Colloquium II
3. Three term hours of CM 8332 Church Music Colloquium III
4. One term hour of CM 8120, Supervised Practicum
3. Six term hours of study in professional skills and methods
1. Three term hours of MUTH 6330 Analytical Techniques, MUTH 6300 Music of the 20th Century, MUTH 6360 Analysis of Tonal Music, or MUTH 6326 Seminar in Music Theory
2. Three term hours of MUHI 6335 Introduction to Graduate Studies
3. Participation for two consecutive terms within the same academic year in a Meadows Choral Ensemble, as determined by placement audition
4. Four terms of enrollment in MUAS 6010 Recital Attendance
4. Elective Hours in Meadows or Perkins
   Six hours for Organ Concentration; five term hours in Choral/Vocal Concentration. These hours will be determined in consultation with the student's adviser on the basis of the outcome objectives of the MSM program and the student's competency to meet these objectives.***
5. Hours in Performance Concentration and Proficiency
1. Organ Concentration (14 hours)
1. Eight term hours of private organ study (ORG 6200, four terms)
2. Two term hours of PERB 6212 Improvisation and Service Playing
3. Three term hours of MUHI 6320 Organ History and Literature
4. One term hour of CM 8108 Cantoring in Worship
2. Choral/Vocal Concentration (15 hrs.)
1. Three term hours of MUCO 6307 Conducting I †
2. Three term hours of MUCO 5309 Advanced Instrumental Conducting
3. Two term hours of MUCO 6222 Score Reading ††
4. Two term hours of MUCO 6252 Vocal/Choral Techniques
5. Three term hours of MUHI 6348 Survey of Choral Literature or an appropriate music history course as determined in consultation with the student's adviser
6. One term hour of CM 8108 Cantoring in Worship †††
7. One term hour of PERB 6111 Introduction to the Organ ††

* For United Methodist students pursuing Deacon's Orders, these twelve hours may count toward the 24-hour requirement. It may be possible to use elective hours to satisfy more of the 24-hour requirement.
** The prerequisite course, XS 6310, The Church in Its Social Context, is not required for the M.S.M. degree.
*** For the organ concentration, a portion of these hours may be used for choral conducting depending on the placement evaluation. Not more than three elective hours of applied study in Meadows may be counted toward the degree requirements.
† As determined by placement evaluation with the Director of Choral Activities.
†† A keyboard proficiency exam or equivalent course must be passed before taking this course.
††† Private vocal instruction for M.S.M. students will be offered only for those who have also been accepted into the M.M. in Voice major as a concurrent degree program or by audition with the voice faculty. Private vocal instruction for M.S.M. students is subject to the availability of voice faculty.