Master of Sacred Music
Degree Requirements
The degree of Master of Sacred Music (M.S.M.) is a research based 36 credit degree. The duration of the degree is normally 2 to 3 years of part-time study. A candidate will be expected to demonstrate sufficient preparation viz. their prior academic and professional studies to qualify for admission to this degree. In, addition, for advanced placement, the University recognizes the prior completion of some of the degree requirements, ad eundem, at approved Colleges and Schools of Music at the Fellowship level. Up to 12 credits can be applied. Candidates for the M.S.M. degree via this route will usually have a topic for research in mind. This will normally enable a candidate to complete the degree requirements, part-time, in 1.5 to 2 years. The standard for independent writing and sustained analysis is more demanding than that of the M.A. but does not demand an original contribution to learning as with a research based doctoral degree. There are required courses for the degree. The dissertation length is between 30 to 40,000 words. If the dissertation and the oral defence are passed at a high enough level, as assessed by the examiners, the M.S.M. degree may be awarded with distinction or merit. Failure to pass the dissertation, after a second resubmission attempt, will usually result in the award of a Graduate Diploma of Studies (G.Dip.St.) in Sacred Music as the terminal award.
Course structure for the Master of Sacred Music (M.S.M.), totalling 36 credits:
1) MUS520--Craft of Research and Writing (3 credits)
2) MUS524--Independent Reading I (3 credits)
3) MUS525--Independent Reading II (3 credits)
4) MUS528--Literature Review and Research Proposal (3 credits)
5) MUS540--Supervised Dissertation Writing (24 credits in blocks of 3 credits, thereafter continuing registration at 0 credits)
6) MUS550--Presentation and Oral Defence of the Dissertation (0 credits)
The degree of Master of Sacred Music (M.S.M.) is a research based 36 credit degree. The duration of the degree is normally 2 to 3 years of part-time study. A candidate will be expected to demonstrate sufficient preparation viz. their prior academic and professional studies to qualify for admission to this degree. In, addition, for advanced placement, the University recognizes the prior completion of some of the degree requirements, ad eundem, at approved Colleges and Schools of Music at the Fellowship level. Up to 12 credits can be applied. Candidates for the M.S.M. degree via this route will usually have a topic for research in mind. This will normally enable a candidate to complete the degree requirements, part-time, in 1.5 to 2 years. The standard for independent writing and sustained analysis is more demanding than that of the M.A. but does not demand an original contribution to learning as with a research based doctoral degree. There are required courses for the degree. The dissertation length is between 30 to 40,000 words. If the dissertation and the oral defence are passed at a high enough level, as assessed by the examiners, the M.S.M. degree may be awarded with distinction or merit. Failure to pass the dissertation, after a second resubmission attempt, will usually result in the award of a Graduate Diploma of Studies (G.Dip.St.) in Sacred Music as the terminal award.
Course structure for the Master of Sacred Music (M.S.M.), totalling 36 credits:
1) MUS520--Craft of Research and Writing (3 credits)
2) MUS524--Independent Reading I (3 credits)
3) MUS525--Independent Reading II (3 credits)
4) MUS528--Literature Review and Research Proposal (3 credits)
5) MUS540--Supervised Dissertation Writing (24 credits in blocks of 3 credits, thereafter continuing registration at 0 credits)
6) MUS550--Presentation and Oral Defence of the Dissertation (0 credits)
