Graduate Bulletin 1999-2001
MUSIC
ADMISSION
In addition to university requirements for admission, the College of Music requires an appropriate undergraduate music degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and a performance audition (live or taped) for matriculation in the college. The required performance level may vary according to the degree program (MM, MME or MMT) specified by the applicant. Those applicants whose undergraduate GPA is below 3.0, or whose undergraduate major was not in music, may be admitted conditionally. This especially applies to students who have considerable work experience in the field of music. Students given conditional admission must achieve a 3.0 GPA in their first nine hours of non-remedial graduate music course work.
All MM and MME students must take placement exams in music history and music theory to ensure an adequate foundation in these disciplines before graduate study is begun. Depending on the results of these tests, students may be required to enroll in three credit hours of remedial music history (MUHL 700) and/or three credit hours of remedial music theory (MUTH 700); these courses will not count toward the degree. Remedial courses should be passed with a B or better or must be repeated. The exams should be taken prior to the first semester of enrollment. Without permission from the dean, students may not enroll in any graduate theory or history course until they have taken the exams and remedied any deficiencies.
Seminar in Research (MUGN 701) is normally taken during the first semester of enrollment. Students are not allowed to register for a graduate music history course unless they are enrolled in or have already completed Seminar in Research.
ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY
Students must petition the College of Music Graduate/Curriculum Committee for admission to candidacy after the following degree program requirements have been met:
Master of Music and Master of Music Education
- Completion of 9 credit hours of non-remedial graduate coursework with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
- Completion of remedial courses required as a result of the theory and history entrance examinations.
- Completion of Seminar in Research (MUGN A701) with a grade of B or higher.
Master of Music Therapy
- Completion of 9 credit hours of non-remedial graduate coursework with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
- Successful completion of a functional music proficiency examination administered by the music therapy faculty.
- Completion of Seminar in Research (MUTY A701) with a grade of B or higher.
COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS
Comprehensive written and oral exams (MM and MME students) will be taken during or after the final semester of course work. The written exam, which is graded pass-fail, will cover the student’s major area, music history and theory. The student must pass two areas (three attempts allowed) before proceeding to the oral exam, which must be scheduled at least one week after the written exam.
The oral exam, which lasts from one and a half to two hours, will address any problems identified in the written exams and test the student’s ability to synthesize knowledge in the various areas. If at least two members of the committee vote for a pass, the student may proceed with any remaining requirements for graduation. However, if two members deem the student’s performance to be inadequate, the student will be informed of the areas of weakness and will be allowed to schedule a re-examination. If the student fails the re-examination, course remediation may be required prior to further re-examination.
Students enrolled in the MMT degree program should consult with the chair of the music therapy department for specific requirements regarding thesis requirements, formation of the thesis committee, and the defense.
GRADUATE COMMITTEE AND GRADUATION
For purposes of administering comprehensive exams (MM and MME students), a graduate committee will be selected for each student and consist of the following members:
- The student’s applied teacher or the area coordinator.
- Instructor of Seminar in Research (MUGN 701).
- One member of the faculty, to be requested by the student.
- Dean or associate dean (ex officio).
The student should notify the dean or associate dean of his or her preference for the selected faculty member (item c. above) early in the final term of enrollment. After a review of faculty load, the dean or associate dean will assign the committee and notify the student.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation.
RESIDENCE
Graduate degrees offered by the College of Music require a minimum of one semester, or its equivalent in summer terms, as a full-time student. Ordinarily, two summer terms will be interpreted as meeting this minimum requirement. A student may enroll for a maximum of 16 credit hours during the regular terms and a maximum of 12 credit hours during the two terms (10 weeks) of a summer session. A full-time teacher who wishes to take courses during a regular term may enroll for a maximum of six hours per term.