Music Technology (MM)
Program Description
The Music Technology MM program provides students with a foundation in all facets of the music and audio technology field as well as skills in a focused area of study. The program also offers an Advanced Certificate in Tonmeister Studies and a PhD in Music Technology. Our mission is to prepare students both for doctoral study and for successful careers in audio engineering, production and post-production, audio/video mastering, multimedia and software development, audio signal processing, acoustics, music perception and cognition research, music informatics, and video game audio production. Students develop expertise within an academic setting where learning by creative experimentation is encouraged.
Admissions
Admission to graduate programs in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development requires the following minimum components:
- Résumé/CV
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- Transcripts
- Proficiency in English
See NYU Steinhardt's Graduate Admissions website for additional information on school-wide admission. Some programs may require additional components for admissions.
See How to Apply for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.
Program Requirements
The program requires the completion of 40-45 credits, comprised of the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Course Requirements | ||
| MPATE-GE 2599 | Fundamentals of Digital Signal Theory | 3 |
| MPATE-GE 2598 | Fundamentals of Digital Signal Theory Lab | 1 |
| MPATE-GE 2600 | Graduate Seminar in Music Technology | 3 |
| MPATE-GE 2036 | Adv Musical Acoust | 3 |
| MPATE-GE 2047 | Advanced Computer Music | 3 |
| MPATE-GE 2601 | Colloquy in Music Technology | 3 |
| MPATE-GE 2602 | Thesis in Music Technology I | 1 |
| MPATE-GE 2603 | Thesis in Music Technology II | 1 |
| Performance Requirements 1 | ||
| Select 1-3 credits from the following: | 1-3 | |
| Electronic Music Performance | ||
MPATC-GE 2031 | ||
| Creating With Interact Media | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 21-24 elective credits, by advisement | 21-24 | |
| Total Credits | 40-45 | |
- 1
Students are required to complete a performance requirement which consists of a music class involving performance. This may be taken in the form of an ensemble for 1-3 credits. Please note that classes take in private instruction do not count toward the performance requirement. Options include the courses listed above or an ensemble course, by audition, for 1 credit.
Additional Program Requirements
The master’s program culminates with the submission and defense of an individual thesis document, to be completed under the supervision of one of the full-time Music Technology faculty members. The thesis should reflect an original contribution to the field of music technology, bringing the students’ classwork experiences and interests together with their potential career paths. Possible research areas include but are not limited to: technology-based performance and composition techniques, interactive music systems, spatial audio, tools for computer music, music information retrieval, digital audio effects, new recording, mixing, mastering, or production techniques, software development for music applications, etc.
Proposal
During the second semester, students enroll in MPATE-GE 2601 – Colloquy, where they are required to (1) identify a thesis adviser from amongst the full-time Music Technology faculty, (2) discuss ideas for their work and following review and approval by the faculty adviser, (3) submit a 2-page proposal containing: thesis title, brief introduction to the topic, motivations, goal and general work plan.
Thesis Draft
Once this proposal is approved, students begin on the project and enroll in the MPATE-GE 2602 to prepare the thesis, as well as discuss research methodologies and current literature in the field. Students should schedule regular meetings with their advisor.
Thesis Final Draft
In the student’s final semester, they will enroll in MPATE-GE 2603 – to finalize their thesis, make revisions and work on their presentation for defense. The thesis itself should be approximately 60 pages long, documenting the idea’s purpose and development, and its musical, aesthetic and technical implications. This document, to be completed by the end of the final year of studies, will be evaluated using the standard criteria for scholarly work. All sources for quotations and paraphrases must be documented. You may use any of the standard citation styles (MLA, Chicago, etc.), subject to your thesis adviser’s approval, provided you consistently follow a single style throughout the thesis. Creative graphics are encouraged to enhance the presentation’s visual impact. The title page should show the thesis title and the student name within the top half to two-thirds of the page. The bottom portion of the page should contain the following:
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
Master of Music in Music Technology
in the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions
in The Steinhardt School
New York University
Adviser: The Name Of Your Adviser
Reader: The Name Of Your Second Reader
[DATE:yyyy/mm/dd]
Oral Defense and Approval
After completing the document, students will submit copies of the thesis to both adviser and second reader and schedule a date for a public oral presentation, where the work is to be demonstrated and defended. Before this defense, students will secure a Thesis Approval Form from The Office of Graduate Studies, 82 Washington Square East, 2nd Floor, available here: Master's Thesis Approval Form.
Upon successful completion of this defense, the student will submit two (2) printed copies, and one digital copy (as a .pdf) of the finished document (including any amendments or suggestions resulting from the defense process) to the Music Technology Advisement Office. Additionally, the Thesis Approval Form will be completed and signed by the thesis adviser and second reader, then filed in the Registrar’s office. Please note that the Registrar's Office requires this form to be signed before approving the student’s graduation.
Sample Plan of Study
| 1st Semester/Term | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| MPATE-GE 2599 | Fundamentals of Digital Signal Theory | 3 |
| MPATE-GE 2598 | Fundamentals of Digital Signal Theory Lab | 1 |
| MPATE-GE 2600 | Graduate Seminar in Music Technology | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| 2nd Semester/Term | ||
| MPATE-GE 2047 | Advanced Computer Music | 3 |
| MPATE-GE 2601 | Colloquy in Music Technology | 3 |
| MPATE-GE 2036 | Adv Musical Acoust | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| 3rd Semester/Term | ||
| Performance Requirement | 1 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 10 | |
| 4th Semester/Term | ||
| MPATE-GE 2602 | Thesis in Music Technology I | 1 |
| MPATE-GE 2603 | Thesis in Music Technology II | 1 |
| Credits | 2 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:
- Demonstrate research proficiency in advancing at least one area of music technology.
- Effectively and convincingly relate their work within the greater context of what other practitioners and researchers are doing in their field.
- Demonstrate technical mastery of the concepts of music technology.
- Demonstrate artistic competence in the application of music technology techniques.
Policies
STEM OPT Benefits for International Students
If you’re an international student, you may be able to work in the United States after graduation for an extended period of time. Most students studying on F-1 visas will be eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) off-campus work authorization. F-1 students in this program may also be eligible for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) OPT extension, allowing you to extend your time in the United States to pursue degree-related work experience for a total of 36 months or 3 years. For more information on who can apply for this extension visit NYU’s Office of Global Services: STEM OPT.
Placement Exams
Basic competence in music technology, history, and theory is a prerequisite for all graduate students in the program. Entering graduate students are required to take advisory exams in these areas. You must take the placement exams before beginning your first semester. The music technology, history, and theory placement exams can only be taken once. If you do not pass, you will be required to take remedial classes (up to a maximum of 9 credits) to fulfill the requirements. These classes and credits will not count toward your degree. See more information on music theory and history placement exams. See Graduate Music Theory & History Entrance Requirements for more information.
Based on placement exam results, the following courses may be needed for degree completion:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MPATE-GE 2590 | Graduate Fundamentals of Music Technology | 1 |
| MPATC-UE 18 | 2 | |
| MPATC-UE 19 | 2 | |
| MPATC-GE 2930 | Review of Tonal Theory I | 1 |
| MPATC-GE 2931 | Review of Tonal Theory II | 1 |
| Music History Option | ||
| Select one of the following: | ||
| MPATC-UE 1067 | Music History I | 2 |
| MPATC-UE 1068 | Music History II: Baroque & Classical | 2 |
| MPATC-UE 1077 | Music History III | 2 |
| MPATC-UE 1078 | Music History IV: Twentieth Century | 2 |
| MPATC-GE 2472 | Music Lit of the 20 Cent: Sound, Music, Tech (1900-Present) (counts toward Guided Elective credits) | 3 |
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
Steinhardt Academic Policies
Additional academic policies can be found the Steinhardt academic policies page.