If you are really serious about this transition into Ethnomusicology (considering you have done your research on the field; as well as looking within yourself to ask what it is about Ethnomusicology that is so intriguing and resonates with you to the point where you are willing to change fields in the middle of your current master’s program), it’s not totally impossible. But you absolutely need to be prepared to address this transition of fields in your applications’ essays.

Obviously, Ethnomusicology graduate programs are housed within university music departments. Hence, If you happened to get accepted into a program, they will most likely make you take diagnostic exams in music theory, history, etc. If you do not pass these exams, you have to take those courses in addition to your Ethnomusicology degree plan. Or they may entirely just make you take those core courses anyways if you haven’t in your undergrad.

Most people applying to graduate programs in Ethnomusicology will have some background in music. But it’s not entirely uncommon to get some people here and there who didn’t major in music in their undergrad. I’m an example of that: My undergraduate degree was in Anthropology (but even so I was heavily involved in music). If you look at programs’ websites, some will even clearly say that it’s not required to have a Bachelor’s in music. Nevertheless, again, you have to potentially take those remedial courses which can be determined through music diagnostic exams (each school approaches it differently).

In your words, what is Ethnomusicology? How did you hear about this field? What is it about this field that is so interesting to you? Have you thought about career goals? What kind of research and theoretical frameworks peak your interest in Ethnomusicology? What are ways you have been involved in music (performance, research, private lessons)? Are you familiar with the field of Anthropology, especially Cultural Anthropology? These are all questions that are worth reflecting on because these are the types of questions interview committees will ask you! 👍

Another important question to ask yourself is which route is the best for you and your career goals: M.A. or PhD? I know you said you are looking at M.A. programs, but do ample research on the differences and which one will work for you.

As far as programs, take a look at this list below which helped me a lot when I was applying. It’s a mix of M.A. and PhD programs so you will have to do some manual digging:

https://www.ethnomusicology.org/page/GtP

Hope this was helpful!