Master’s Degrees
There are two master’s degrees available in the School of Music: one with a major in music leading to the master of music degree, the other with a major in music education leading to the master of music education degree. Emphasis areas in the master of music degree are Conducting, Music History & Literature, Music Theory, Performance, Piano Accompanying, and Woodwind Performance & Pedagogy.
Admission Requirements: Master’s Degrees
Acceptance into the master’s degree programs of the School of Music requires expectations beyond those in the Graduate Bulletin. Admission to graduate study does not imply admission to candidacy for a master’s degree. A maximum of nine (9) hours of graduate work earned before one has gained admission to the School of Music can be applied toward a master’s degree. Members of all under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Regular Admission
Students seeking regular admission to master’s level programs at The University of Southern Mississippi must:
- Have a “B” average or better on music courses in the undergraduate degree
- Have a grade point average of at least 2.75 (A = 4.0) on the last two years of undergraduate study
- Submit test scores of the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination. (May be waived for Conducting or Performance majors)
- Pass a candidacy audition (M. M. only)
- Submit at least three strong letters of recommendation and/or undergo a successful personal interview.
Conditional Admission
Students who are unable to meet regular admission standards may be considered for conditional admission. For details concerning conditional admission, see “Admission Requirements and Procedures,” Graduate Bulletin, University of Southern Mississippi.
Please note: The Graduate Record Examination is required for both conditional and regular admission. Students who are admitted conditionally must pass a candidacy audition (if. required) before completing 9 hours of coursework.
Examinations
Diagnostic Examinations
All entering master’s students are required to take a Diagnostic Entrance Examination in music theory and in music history & literature. The purposes of this examination are 1) to determine whether the student has foundation-level deficiencies that need to be addressed in order for her/him to be successful in graduate courses and on the comprehensive examination; and 2) to provide information that will guide the student and his/her advisor in selecting useful and appropriate academic courses.
Diagnostic Examinations are administered on campus each Thursday and/or Friday preceding the first day of classes in fall, spring, and summer.
Students who do not pass the history diagnostic exam must enroll in MUS 630. Students who do not pass the theory diagnostic exam must enroll in MUS 620. MUS 620 and MUS 630 must be taken in the first two semesters of graduate work. Exceptions to this requirement may be granted for the summer semester only and will be considered on an individual basis. Undergraduate music theory and/or history courses may be required as prerequisites to further study in graduate music theory or history. Students who do not pass the music theory review, or the history review (or required undergraduate courses) will not be allowed to enroll in further study in music history or music theory until the grade of “B-” or better is earned in the required course(s). NOTE: Only the MME (Online) students may enroll in MUS 620X and MUS 630X for graduate credit. Resident students must enroll in MUS 620 and MUS 630.
Comprehensive Examinations
Comprehensive examinations are required for all master’s degrees. Generally, Master’s comprehensive exams are given on the Saturday of the second full week in November, April and July, however the exact dates of the examinations are determined by the Graduate Coordinator and are publicized as soon as the University’s Academic Calendar is available. Students must register for the exam two months in advance at this email address: graduate.music@usm.edu.
How is the test prepared and graded? The test will be prepared and graded by the student’s graduate advisory committee; it will cover the area of the major field. As a general rule, the comprehensive examination will be written.
What happens if the comprehensive exam is unsatisfactory? A student who fails the Comprehensive Examination may repeat the exam once; the test must be repeated within one year of the first comprehensive examination.
Results: The Graduate Coordinator must receive the results of the comprehensive examination in time to notify the University Registrar and the Graduate Office (i.e., no later than the last day for presenting signed theses to the Graduate Office).
Advisory committee
Early in the first term of full-time residence or before nine (9) hours of graduate credit have been earned, the student and the major professor select those faculty who will serve as the student’s Advisory Committee. Master’s committees must include three members: 1) the major professor, 2) another professor from the major area, 3) a representative from Music Theory or Music History. Changes to this formula must be pre-approved in writing by the School of Music Director. These faculty members will help the student plan his/her program of study, attend and grade his/her recital (for the Master of Music degree), and prepare and grade his/her comprehensive exam.
Policies
Continuous Enrollment:
Master’s students are expected to enroll continuously after they have taken required coursework until they complete their degree using the guidelines listed below.
- Students must register for at least one (1) hour of independent study and research (697) or thesis (698) in the Fall and Spring semesters if they:
a. Have incomplete grades (Is) in one or more courses
b. Have completed all coursework but must take comprehensive exams
c. Have not completed their thesis
d. Have not completed their project
- Students must enroll for one (1) hour in the Summer semester if they are using university services, e.g., library and/or technology services.
- Students must register for three (3) hours of 698 during the semester they expect to defend and complete the thesis or project. All required coursework must be completed before the semester in which the student defends the thesis. The thesis must be deposited in the Graduate School or the final project given to the major professor.
- Students must register for one (1) hour of 697 the next semester if they have not deposited the thesis in the Graduate School or submitted the final project to their school.
Failure to enroll for the appropriate hours will result in the student being discontinued from USM and require that the student reapply for admission to the program.
Research and Scholarly Integrity Education
All graduate students must complete the CITI training modules required by the Graduate School and their schools the first semester they are enrolled in graduate school. The RSIE policy and training information are found on the Graduate School web page –www.usm.edu/graduate-school. Contact the Dean of the Graduate School if you have any questions regarding the policy of training information.
Special Problems Courses (MUS 692, 792, MED 692, 792)
Students cannot enroll in special problems courses without appropriate approval. Petitions requesting permission to enroll are available online at www.usm.edu/sites/default/files/groups/school-music/pdf/special_problems_permission_form.pdf.
Petitions must be submitted to the Graduate Coordinator by the end of SOAR open registration. Special Problems courses demand a minimum of 45 hours work for each hour of credit earned. It is expected that the result of any problem undertaken be available for faculty examination; copies of term papers, examinations, or compositions must be turned in to the Music Office for this purpose.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is scholarly theft, and it is defined as the unacknowledged use of secondary sources. More specifically, any written or oral presentation in which the writer or speaker does not distinguish clearly between original and borrowed material constitutes plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious offense. An act of plagiarism may lead to a failing grade on the work involved and in the course, as well as sanctions that may be imposed by the department, the Graduate School, and the University. See the Graduate Bulletin for a more detailed definition of plagiarism or contact your major professor, graduate coordinator, School of Music Director or Graduate School Dean if you have any questions.
Application for Degree
The master’s student must complete the following steps one semester prior to the semester of graduation. For specific deadlines see www.usm.edu/graduate-school/deadlines.php.
• Obtain a copy of the Application for Degree Cover Sheet at www.usm.edu/graduate-school/downloads/degapp.
• Complete the Cover Sheet and take it to the Graduate Coordinator for signatures.
• Pay fees at Business Office, and then take the Application for Degree Cover Sheet, at www.usm.edu/graduate-school/downloads/degapp. together with the Exit Survey to the graduate degree auditors in the Graduate School, located in McCain, room 205.
When completed, the student’s file in the Graduate School should contain, in addition to the documents described above:
. • Graduate Committee Request Form
. • Results of Comprehensive Exams Form
Requirement Specific for M.M. Degrees
Recital Requirements Before scheduling a recital, the student must contact all members of the Advisory Committee and work to find a date that all can attend. In order for the recital to be given, a majority of the Advisory Committee (at least 2 of 3) must be in attendance. If members of the committee are unable to attend, a quality recording must be provided. At least fourteen days before the recital, the student must issue a written or emailed invitation to each member of his or her committee. If recitals are required by the student’s degree plan, the Advisory Committee will:
• Approve the repertoire in writing (students must fill out a Recital Repertoire Approval Form and return it to the Graduate Coordinator no later than one month prior to the recital date), attend the recital, and then all members must grade the recital as Satisfactory (S) orUnsatisfactory (U).
• At least 2 of the 3 members must judge the recital satisfactory for it to count.
• Should a recital be judged Unsatisfactory, another recital, at a date determined by the Advisory Committee, must take place.
• Should a recital be canceled or postponed until a succeeding semester, the recital will be graded “E” (course in progress). When the grade of “E” is given, the student must re-register for the course and receive a letter grade for that course.
• A student who receives two grades of Unsatisfactory in meeting degree recital requirements will not be allowed to continue as a candidate.
Jury Requirements/Final Examinations
Students who are enrolled in MUP (Music Performance) Private Lessons in their principal applied area and who are seeking the Master of Music degree with emphasis in performance must perform a jury for the appropriate applied faculty. All other master’s students enrolled in MUP Private Lessons must perform a final examination for the applied teacher. At the finish of each semester and summer term, the applied teacher must complete a “Final Jury/Examination Form” for each student and file it with the Graduate Coordinator. Students enrolled in applied music who do not take a final examination or a jury will receive the grade “I” or “F.” All grades of “I” must be completed by the end of the next semester (excluding summer term) or they will automatically be changed to an “F.” The applied teacher must record and submit any exception to this policy to the Graduate Coordinator; signatures of all appropriate area faculty must be included on this form.
Ensemble Participation
All full-time master’s-level students majoring in music are required to participate in a major ensemble during each term of residence. A maximum of two (2) hours of graduate credit earned from ensemble work may be counted toward a degree. The ensemble in which one participates will be determined by the student’s major applied area and area of interest. The following are considered to be appropriate major ensembles to fulfill this requirement: Orchestra, Band, Southern Chorale, Jazz Lab Band, Concert Choir, Symphonic Winds, and Opera/Music Theatre. Exceptions may be granted to master’s students in residence during summer semesters.
This major ensemble policy does not apply to graduate guitar or piano majors.
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