Music : Graduate Student Resources

Graduate Student Handbook 2009/10

The Graduate Student Handbook has been prepared as a reference tool for students pursuing degree programs in the Department of Music. Information is included about the department, its degree programs, major concentrations, cognate areas of study, degree deadlines, student responsibilities and the music office procedures.

The Master of Music curriculum is designed to provide opportunity for depth of study in an area of specialization, to increase professional competence in teaching and performance, and to prepare for continued self-directed study or advanced graduate study.
Program. All candidates shall complete at least 45 credits as delineated in an approved course of study filed with the Office of Graduate Studies, Research and Continuing Education. The major fields are

• composition
• conducting
• performance
• performance-pedagogy
• music education

At least one-third of the total credit requirements must be in the major field, including six credits of thesis; one-third in other music courses, including three credits of ensemble and three credits of MUS 521 (Methods of Musical Research); and one-third may be elective courses in supportive areas from any discipline. At least 25 credits applied toward the degree must be at the 500 level or above. Students are expected to plan their program with a graduate advisor and committee.

After meeting minimum criteria for admission into a specific master’s degree for each major, candidates must take diagnostic examinations in music history and music theory at the beginning of their first quarter of graduate study. In addition, non-performance majors must also demonstrate a level of musicianship equal to what would be considered appropriate for 300 level study. Students may demonstrate this level of musicianship in several ways, appropriate to the desired degree program or deemed appropriate by the evaluating committee after consultation with the student. Examples include a performance audition in an applied area or conducting (live or taped), a videotape or audiotape of a performance directed by the applicant, or a videotape of a music lesson or class taught by the applicant. Deficiencies in any of the above will be delineated to the student by the faculty along with recommendations for remediation. These recommendations may take the form of, but are not limited to, coursework, selected readings, and applied study. It is the candidate's responsibility to demonstrate the successful satisfaction of any deficiency. No Master of Music degree will be awarded until these appraisals have been passed. The music department recommends that the candidate attempt to satisfy these entrance appraisals at the earliest opportunity.

Diagnostic Tests in Music- Theory and History for Incoming Students

All incoming students must take diagnostic examinations in music history and music theory at the earliest opportunity, usually at the beginning of their first quarter of graduate study. Diagnostic examinations are a means by which the department can assess levels of ability and competence of entering students. The results of these exams can be used to determine the levels of general musical knowledge in these two areas, such that students will be able to complete work expected in graduate-level courses in these fields.

After completion of the diagnostic exams, deficiencies will be communicated to the student and advisor by the faculty, along with recommendations for remediation. These are normally resolved by taking a course that most closely addresses the deficiencies demonstrated on the exam, e.g. MUS 343 Counterpoint or MUS 340 Analytic Techniques. It is the candidate's responsibility to demonstrate the successful satisfaction of any deficiency. No Master of Music degree will be awarded until these deficiencies have been satisfied. Also, there are restrictions on registration for thesis credit (MUS 700) before deficiencies are remedied. The Department of Music recommends that the candidate attempt to satisfy any deficiencies at the earliest opportunity.

The Music History Diagnostic Exam is offered once a year, either at the beginning of the school year or on the first class day of MUS 380, Music History Review, normally offered in Winter quarter. As with the theory exam, dates and times will be posted as early as possible. Passing the exam with a score of 80% or better will permit that the class be dropped. A scores of less than 80% will require the student to take MUS 380 at the next opportunity, which is included as a remedial course on the Course of Study, but does not count toward the degree.

Dates and times for the theory exam will be advertised as early as possible, but students should expect it to take place during registration days immediately preceding the beginning of the quarter or within the first day or two of classes. Download the following PDF files for a review of , Diagnostic Theory and or Diagnostic Music History.

Graduate Courses

Below is a listing of courses for which credit toward graduate degrees is available. This includes courses required for specific majors and those designated as electives. Some courses are offered on a regular basis, usually in a two-year cycle, and others are offered only according to student needs and faculty availability. Students should remember that no more than 20 credits of 400 level classes can be applied to any Master's degree requirements. Further, at least half of all required credits must be in courses meant only for graduate students. For complete course listing and descriptions, see the university catalogue or the specific instructor.

Composition and Music Theory

Music History

Music Education

Conducting

Performance/Applied

Ensembles

Each student must develop, in consultation with his/her advisor, a plan of the courses that will satisfy the requirements of the chosen degree. These courses must be entered on a Course of Study form. This and all other graduate forms are available in the Graduate Studies office and online. The Course of Study must have the signatures the committee chair and the department chair/Graduate Coordinator before being submitted to the Graduate Office. It is strongly recommended that an initial Course of Study, showing the degree plan for the incoming student, be completed and submitted in the first quarter of enrollment.(see example)

The Graduate Office requires that students have approved Course of Study forms on file before they have taken 25 credits. Also, the Office of Financial Aid has made it a requirement that students collecting financial aid must have an approved Course of Study on file in both the Graduate Office and the Financial Aid office. If there isn't an approved copy on file before the end of the add/drop period of the quarter in which the student enrolls for his/her 25th credit, the student's financial aid award may be cancelled.

Over the time of the degree, if there are three or more changes to the original Course of Study, a Revised Course of Study form, reflecting the courses actually taken and chosen to fulfill specific degree requirements, will need to be filed with or just before the Application to Graduate. Any changes in individual courses can be made only with the submission of a (Course) Substitution form, available online.

Graduate Cognate in Music

A graduate cognate in music is a secondary specialization in music that lends more coherence to the courses students complete beyond those required for the masters degree in their primary area of study. Cognate subject areas can be composition, conducting, performance, performance pedagogy, music education, music theory, and music history. Students must take a minimum of 13 credits beyond the 45 credits required for the masters degree – totaling a minimum of 58 credits for the degree with a major and cognate.  You'll find detailed information in the Graduate Catalog listed under "Graduate Cognate in Music", also available online.

Thesis Procedures, Guidelines, and Forms

Student Graduate Committees and the Graduate Committee and Option Approval Form
The student and his/her advisor work together to decide what sort of thesis or non-thesis project will be appropriate as a culminating experience for the degree. Once a topic has been chosen, each student must secure agreement on the part of three Graduate Faculty members of the music department to serve on his/her Graduate Committee. Normally, the chair of this committee will be the student's advisor - the faculty member with whom the student will work with in the chosen area of concentration. The student should seek advice from this advisor in choosing other members of the committee, based on areas of expertise related to the student's project. The committee should be formed as early as possible in the student's graduate career. The Chair of a student's Graduate Committee must be an approved member of the Graduate Faculty. A Graduate Faculty member is one who has been approved by the University Graduate Council. A non-approved faculty member may receive permission to serve as a committee member upon application, but normally are not permitted to act as committee chairs. Students may learn who on the music faculty is a member of the Graduate Faculty by inquiring in the Graduate Office.

Once the committee has been formed, students must complete and submit to the Graduate Office the official Graduate Committee and Option Approval Form. It is recommended that this form be submitted before or at the time of the first enrollment in MUS 700 Thesis credits (see other restrictions on Thesis credit registration in the Music Department Thesis Guidelines ). Signatures of the members of the student's Graduate Committee and the department chair or Graduate Coordinator are required before submitting to the Graduate Office. Once this form has been submitted and approved, committee members can be changed only with a resubmission of the form.

Thesis Requirements
Consultation between the candidate and his/her graduate advisor is essential at all stages of thesis activity. In addition, the candidate should be aware of and follow the directions given in the General Thesis / Non-Thesis Guidelines, available from the Graduate Office. The following information presents some basic considerations regarding the several types of theses stipulated for the Master of Music degree. Copies of previous theses, projects, and covering papers are available for perusal in the department chair's office as well as downloadable PDF's of Thesis Procedures and Thesis Timetable to help you out.

Research Thesis

• Knowledge of the available literature on the subject
• Ability to use musical analysis as a research tool when appropriate
• Ability to present the information gathered in the research process in a well-organized and convincing form
• Ability to use the English language in a correct, clear and direct manner.
• Knowledge of and ability to use research tools specific to music

Performance-Pedagogy Thesis

1. A demonstration project, a research paper or a covering paper based on the project and one-half of a public recital. OR
2. A demonstration project, one-half a public recital and a covering paper based on the works presented on the recital. OR
3. A research paper and one-half a public recital.
   

Composition Thesis

Conducting Thesis

Performance Thesis

Music Education Thesis

1. A research thesis. OR
2. A demonstration, analytical or creative project and a covering paper based on the project.

All graduate students must pass a comprehensive final examination, oral, or written and oral, based on their course work and the thesis. The nature of the final examination will be determined in consultation with the student's graduate committee chair. Before the Final Examination can be scheduled, students must have satisfied any recommendations made to correct deficiencies revealed by the diagnostic exams and completed and submitted the written portion of the thesis.

Also, the Office of Graduate Studies requires a "Final Folder Check" in the quarter in which a student wishes to defend the thesis/project. To receive a Final Folder Check, the following are required:

• Approved Course of Study form (original or revised) on file
• Approved Graduate Committee and Option Approval Form on file
• The student must be registered for at least two (2) credits
  

It is important for students to know that the CWU Graduate Office has a separate set of forms and procedures that must be filed according to quarterly graduation deadlines. There are several deadlines that impact the scheduling of final examinations, review of transcripts, and for fees that must be paid. Please become fully aware of the Grad Office's expectations and deadlines.