Music Composition Graduate Programs

At the core of Oregon’s composition program is a thriving artistic community of forty to forty-five undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral composers. Our comprehensive approach integrates compositional studies with theory, history, ethnomusicology, intermedia technology, contemporary performance practice, multimedia collaboration, and an intensive career development seminar. Our diverse yet focused curriculum prepares each student for a future as a professional composer. 

Master's | Doctorate


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Master of Music in Music Composition

72-76
Graduate-level credits
30-31
Composition Core Credits
9
Thesis Credits

 Graduates pursuing a MMus in music composition will take courses which focus in the following areas:

Music History & Culture
Music Theory
Research Methods
Composers Forum 
Electronic or Digital Music
Balinese Gamelan
Music in the Twentieth Century
Composition Pedagogy & Practicum (elective)
Ethnomusicology 
Composition
Counterpoint 
Tonal Analysis 
Post Tonal Theory 
Composition Thesis 
Composition for Large Ensembles (elective)

music comp grad2

Doctor of Philosophy in Music Composition

86-91
Graduate-level credits
33-34
Composition Core Credits
18
thesis credits

Graduates pursuing a PhD in music composition will take courses which focus in the following areas: 

Music History & Culture
Music Theory 
Research Methods
Repertoire & Analysis
College Music Teaching 
Research Development
Tonal Analysis
Composition Pedagogy & Practicum
Composers Forum 
Advanced Composition Studies 
Music Technology
Counterpoint
Post-Tonal Theory
Balinese Gamelan (elective)

Student Support

Have questions on your degree requirements? Need information on undergraduate scholarships and awards? Check out these resources to get the support you need.