Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 31

Required Courses:

¹

Select one of the following: MUST 5706 Live Recording and Mixing for Broadcast (3 s.h.), MUST 5707 Computer Programming for Musicians (3 s.h.), MUST 5724 Printing Musical Scores and Parts (3 s.h.), MUST 5726 Computer Synthesis (3 s.h.), MUST 5732 Programming in Max (3 s.h.), MUST 5733 Music Mixing in Pro Tools (3 s.h.), MUST 5763 Analog and Modular Sound Synthesis (3 s.h.), MUST 5764 Scoring for Film and Digital Media (3 s.h.), MUST 5765 Scoring and Audio Design for Video Games (3 s.h.), MUST 5774 Hearing Music: Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Music (3 s.h.), MUST 8706 Live Recording and Mixing for Broadcast (3 s.h.), MUST 8707 Computer Programming for Musicians (3 s.h.), MUST 8722 Scoring for Film and Digital Media (3 s.h.), MUST 8724 Printing Musical Scores and Parts (3 s.h.), MUST 8726 Computer Synthesis (3 s.h.), MUST 8727 Electronic Music Composition: Practice, History, Theory (3 s.h.), MUST 8732 Programming in Max (3 s.h.), MUST 8733 Music Mixing in Pro Tools (3 s.h.), MUST 8774 Hearing Music: Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Music (3 s.h.), MUST 8778 Scoring and Audio Design for Video Games (3 s.h.), or MUST 8783 Analog and Modular Sound Synthesis (3 s.h.).

²

This elective can be selected from among the graduate courses offered in the Boyer College of Music and Dance or any other graduate course available at Temple University.

Language Examination: A language examination is not required for the MS in Music Technology.

Additional Requirements:

Diagnostic Examinations:
Prior to the first semester of study in the Music Technology MS program, entering students take a Diagnostic Examination in Aural Theory administered by the Department of Music Studies, as well as a two-part examination in Sound Recording and Sound Editing.

A. Graduate Diagnostic Examination in Aural Theory

Students must pass the Aural Theory Diagnostic Examination prior to the first semester of graduate study. Students who fail the exam are required to satisfactorily complete the 3-credit aural theory review course, MUST 5004 Grad Aural Theory Review, with a grade of “P” (i.e., “Pass”) during the Spring term. Credits earned in MUST 5004 do not count toward the 31 required graduate credits for the MS degree in Music Technology.

B. Graduate Diagnostic Examination in Sound Recording

Music Technology faculty administer the Graduate Diagnostic Examination in Sound Recording. Questions are selected from a test-bank of questions currently used in the final exam for the sound recording course, MUST 4713. These objective, self-graded questions are administered through the Canvas learning management system.

C. Graduate Diagnostic Examination in Sound Editing

Music Technology faculty also administer the Graduate Diagnostic Examination in Sound Editing. Questions are selected from a test-bank of audio files currently used in the final exam of the sound editing course, MUST 4714. Using the audio files provided, students are asked to edit and mix a recording session in Pro Tools with careful attention to best practices, including dynamic compression, volume maximization, equalization, clipping and signal routing. Students have 24 hours to complete the exam and must provide a screen capture video approximately 5 minutes in length displaying the Pro Tools session wherein the examinee discusses the choices and techniques utilized throughout the editing and mixing process. Additionally, the examinee is required to submit the complete Pro Tools session with proper asset management.

D.  Admitted students who do not hold an undergraduate degree in music will also take an examination in written Music Theory administered by the Department of Music Studies prior to the first term of study.  Students who fail the exam will be required to take MUST 1701.  Credits earned in MUST 1701 do not count toward the 31 required graduate credits for the MS degree in Music Technology.  

E. Passing the Sound Diagnostic Examinations

Students must pass the Diagnostic Examinations in Sound Recording and Sound Editing prior to the first semester of graduate study. Students who pass both parts of the exam will be permitted to register for MUST 8728 Advanced Audio Production for graduate credit during the first semester of graduate study in the Music Technology MS program.

Students who do not pass one or both parts of the Diagnostic Examinations in Sound Recording and Sound Editing are required to complete the 3-credit course MUST 5006 Sound Recording and Editing Techniques with a grade of “P” (i.e., “Pass”) during the first semester of graduate study in the program and prior to being permitted to register for MUST 8728 Advanced Audio Production. MUST 5006 is an intensive semester-long 3-credit course that integrates both sound recording and sound editing topics using Pro Tools software. The course utilizes Linked-In Learning videos available through TUportal, with self-guided learning activities, as well as recording studio and class lecture time. Credits earned in MUST 5006 do not count toward the 31 required graduate credits for the MS degree in Music Technology.

F. Conditions for Exemption from Diagnostic Examinations

The requirement to take the Diagnostic Examinations in any area is waived only for graduates of the Boyer College of Music and Dance who:

• matriculate and enroll in the term immediately following completion of all undergraduate degree requirements (e.g., Spring undergraduate graduation followed by Fall matriculation in the MS program); and
• received grades of "B-" or better in every undergraduate course taken in each individual examination area to be waived.

Further, entering Music Technology MS students may waive taking the Diagnostic Examinations in Sound Recording and Sound Editing. If they so choose, however, they are required to complete MUST 5006 satisfactorily with a grade of “P” (i.e., “Pass”) prior to taking MUST 8728 Advanced Audio Production. Credits earned in MUST 5006 do not count toward the 31 required graduate credits for the MS degree in Music Technology.

Also note the following:

• Undergraduate senior music majors who want to apply for the Music Technology MS program may elect to take MUST 5006 during the senior year. MUST 5006 will not, however, count toward the 31 graduate credits required for the graduate program.
• If a Boyer student has already taken MUST 4725 Advanced Audio Production at the undergraduate level with a grade of "B-" or better earned, they may waive this course at the graduate level and replace it with a different 3-credit graduate music technology course.
• Remedial coursework must be completed by the end of the first year of study.

Culminating Events: Evidence of student learning is assessed through a combination of course-embedded assessments and projects, written examinations, and a capstone final project presented to the Music Studies Department that demonstrates the application of integrated music technology.