The certificate in music theory provides students the opportunity to take more varied upper-level courses and develop independent projects under faculty mentorship. The certificate provides students with a formal acknowledgement of their work in music theory, potentially serving as a stepping-stone to graduate school, private teaching, theory teaching in primary or secondary schools or work in music-related media and technology.
Requirements
Admission Requirements
Students need a minimum average grade of B+ or higher for freshman and sophomore music theory and aural skills classes to qualify for the certificate.
Application for the certificate takes place either sophomore or junior year. In order to apply, students must submit a statement of purpose. Applications can be sent directly to the chair of Music Theory area, currently Yonatan Malin (yonatan.malin@colorado.edu).
Required Courses and Credits
The curriculum consists of 18 credit hours. Students will typically take between one or two required courses per semester. Students need to maintain a minimum average grade of B+ or higher.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| MUSC 2101 & MUSC 2121 & MUSC 2111 & MUSC 2131 | Semester 3 Theory and Aural Skills Lab, Semester 3 and Semester 4 Theory and Aural Skills Lab, Semester 4 | 6 |
| or MUSC 3081 & MUSC 3091 | Jazz Theory and Aural Foundations 1 and Jazz Theory and Aural Foundations 2 | |
| MUSC 4957 | Senior Thesis | 3 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Choose from the following: | 9 | |
| Introduction to Music Research | ||
| 16th Century Counterpoint | ||
| 18th Century Counterpoint | ||
| Tonal Analysis | ||
| Post-Tonal Theory and Analysis | ||
| Topics in Music Analysis | ||
| Topics in Music Analysis (with instructor permission, when not double-listed with MUSC 6801) | ||
Elective outside major within or beyond the College of Music, with advisor permission | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |