The Department of Music
This page is updated for the academic year 2023-2024.
Information for the academic year 2024-2025 will be updated in the coming days.
Master's Degree
Tracks
Two tracks are available:
Track A – includes research and thesis submission.
Track B – not research-based.
Admission requirements
A bachelor's degree with a major or extended major in music with a minimum grade point average of 80. Every applicant called for a personal interview must appear before a departmental committee.
Composition: Bachelor's degree with a major in composition or music with a sufficient compositional background.
Programs
There are two programs of study:
1.Music
in the following concentrations:
a. Theory
b. Ethnomusicology
c. Composition (Track A only)
d. Music, technology and visual media
2. Music therapy
Track A – research-based track
Credit and seminar requirements
Music
18 AC (annual-based credits) (36 SC – semester-based credits) from the department or in certain cases from other departments (subject to approval by the departmental committee chair).1
Submission of at least one seminar paper with a minimum grade of 85.
Curriculum includes:
- 4 basic courses in music – basic courses are given regularly once every two years. Four courses must be selected out of a possible six.
- 4 topic courses in music – topic courses are research courses on a variety of changing topics.
- 4 semesters of departmental seminar (colloquium)
- Elective courses – selected from any graduate-level courses offered.
Music, technology and visual media
18 AC (36 SC) from the department or in certain cases from other departments (subject to approval by the departmental committee chair).
Submission of at least one seminar paper with a minimum grade of 85.
Curriculum includes:
- 2 basic courses in music – basic courses are given regularly once every two years.
- 2 semesters of departmental seminar (colloquium)
- 9 AC (18 SC) musical technological courses
- 6 AC (12 SC) specialization courses
Composition
25 AC (50 SC) from within the department.
Curriculum includes:
- 4 courses from: research-oriented topics and core courses (at least one basic course).
- 8 courses in composition
- 2 courses in musical technologies
- 2 semesters of departmental seminar (colloquium)
- Submission of at least one seminar paper with a minimum grade of 85
Language proficiency
Master’s degree English: required in the first year of study.
English exams may be taken internally at the department or by registering for the proficiency exam at the English department.
(Details on placement tests, course levels and exemption eligibility criteria – see introductory chapter).
Jewish studies
As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter).
Thesis guidelines
See School of Graduate Studies Rules and Regulations in the introductory chapter.
Thesis equivalence in composition is a portfolio of four chamber music compositions.
Final exam for the master’s degree
The final exam is based on the thesis and its underlying bibliography.
Research proposals are to be submitted by the end of the first year of study
and no later than the end of the fall semester of the second year.
Track B – non-research track
Credit and seminar requirements
Music
22 AC (44 SC) from the department or in certain cases from other departments (subject to approval by the departmental committee chair).
Submission of at least one seminar paper with a minimum grade of 85.
Curriculum includes:
- 4 basic courses in music – basic courses are given regularly once every two years. Four courses must be selected out of a possible six.
- 4 topic courses in music – topic courses are research courses on a variety of changing topics.
- 4 semesters of departmental seminar (colloquium)
- Elective courses (to complete the number of degree credits)
Music, technology and visual media
22 AC (44 SC) from the department or in certain cases from other departments (subject to approval by the departmental committee chair).
Submission of at least one seminar paper with a minimum grade of 85.
Curriculum includes:
- 15 AC (30 SC) required courses
- 2 semesters of departmental seminar (colloquium)
- 6 AC (12 SC) specialization courses in musical technologies
Language proficiency
English at the master’s degree level.
English exams may be taken internally at the department or by registering for the proficiency exam at the English department (details on placement tests, course levels and exemption eligibility criteria – see introductory chapter).
Jewish studies
As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter).
Music therapy studies
The music therapy program opens every two years. The next session will be opening in the 2023-2024academic year.
Program objective
To train students in music therapy at a high academic and professional level. The program is composed of theoretical studies, field work and guidance.
Tracks
Track B – clinical – not research-based.
Admission requirements
- A bachelor's degree in music and a therapy profession (e.g. psychology, social work) with a minimum grade point average of 80.
- For a non-therapy undergraduate major, completion of psychology courses as specified in information bulletin of the music therapy program with a minimum average of 80.
- For a non-music undergraduate major, completion of music courses as specified in information bulletin of the music therapy program with a minimum average of 80.
- For a non-therapy and a non-music undergraduate major – courses in psychology and in music are required.
Prerequisites must be completed prior to beginning the program.
- A personal interview.
- Five or more years of experience playing primary musical instrument.
- Ability to sing and to accompany vocals with a harmonic instrument (such as piano). An additional instrument for accompanying vocals (such as guitar) is preferable.
Track B – (no research required)
Credit and seminar requirements
Track B – for students who wish to specialize in clinical therapy without prior experience and without a diploma in music therapy. The curriculum includes 30 AC (60 SC) spanning two years and field work.
Minimum cumulative tuition – 200%.
Jewish studies
As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter).
Language proficiency
English at the master’s degree level.
English exams may be taken internally at the department or by registering for the proficiency exam at the English department.
(Details on placement tests, course levels and exemption eligibility criteria – see introductory chapter).
PhD
Areas of specialization
- History of Western music
- Ethnomusicology and popular music
- Theory and musical cognition
- Composition
- Music therapy
- Music and computers, musical technologies
- Musical education
PhD studies are intended to train students to conduct independent music research at a high scientific standard. Composition studies are intended to train experienced composers to compose large scale works.
Admission criteria
- Admission criteria of the Bar-Ilan PhD committee.
- Minimum master’s degree grade point average of 85, and minimum master’s thesis grade of 85, or a minimum grade of 80 in the Track B final exam for the master’s degree.
- A personal interview.
Credit and seminar requirements
Students must take courses in their area of specialization totaling 6-10 AC (12-20 SC) per advisor recommendation. This includes 2 semesters of departmental seminar (colloquium), a course in research methods and a seminar in the area of specialization. The department or School of Graduate Studies is authorized to require additional courses.
Research proposals are to be submitted no later than the end of the first year of study. Dissertations are to be submitted for judgment no later than the end of the fourth year of study.
Language proficiency
Graduate (PhD) English
Exemption exams must be taken at the department even if an exemption had been granted in prior studies.
Alternatively, a course in English for PhD students may be taken at the EFL department with prior arrangement.
Jewish studies
As per general requirements for the PhD (see School of Graduate Studies information handbook).
For further details
contact the department by phone at 03-5318405 or via department email
or via email or visit the Department of Music website
1. A shortened program of 14 AC (28 SC) is available for holders of a post-BA certificate in music or a master’s degree in another field with a suitable music background, subject to approval by a departmental committee and the School of Graduate Studies.
Last Updated Date : 03/04/2024
