Music Education (Licensure), M.M.E.

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                                                                                                             Conditional Admission

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.  

Plan of Study. Students must submit their signed, official Plan of Study Form to the Graduate School by the end of the first semester they are enrolled. The Plan of Study Forms are available at www.usm.edu/graduateschool/planofstudy.php - click on the “Plans of Study” link.

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 Office of Graduate Studies 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 Office of Graduate Studies or submitted the final project to their department.

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 faculty holding Regular or Associate graduate faculty status, must complete CITI training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments. All graduate students must complete the CITI training modules required by the Graduate School and their departments 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.

•     Login to SOAR and download the GRD11 (Advising Transcript) at www.usm.edu/soar. The path is SA Self Service, Learner Services, Academics, Click on View Degree Progress Report, Print the Degree Progress Report.

•     Complete the Cover Sheet and take it to the Graduate Coordinator for signatures.

•     Pay fees at Business Office, and then take the document 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

.                      •           Plan of Study

.                      •           Results of Comprehensive Exams Form 

Undergraduate prerequisite

Completion of a bachelor’s degree in music at The University of Southern Mississippi or an equivalent program. At least 18 hours of course work must be at the 600 level or higher. A 3.0 GPA is required for graduation.

Degree Candidacy

Admission to graduate study does not imply admission to candidacy for a master’s degree. In addition to requirements listed to gain degree candidacy (listed elsewhere in the Graduate Bulletin) Track II candidates must:

1. Successfully pass the Praxis I and Praxis IIA exams before or by the end of the 1st semester of study. Failure to do so will prevent further enrollment in the program.
2. Successfully pass the Basic Technology Exam given by the education department before or by the end of the 1st semester. Failure to do so will prevent further enrollment in the program.
3. If not required for the previous undergraduate degree, successfully pass a music education piano proficiency examination by the end of the 2nd semester of enrollment.
4. Must obtain clearance from the Office of Educational Field Experiences (OEFE) before required observation and practica in specified music area methods courses.

Successful completion of degree requirements include:

1. Successfully passing Praxis IIB before graduating.
2. Successful completion of student teaching seminars and two supervised teaching placements.
   1. The candidate can complete one full semester (6 credit hours) consisting of two (2) experiences.
   2. The candidate can teach on experience each over two (2) semesters (3 credit hours each) for a half day.
3. Successful completion of comprehensive examinations.
4. Applying for teacher licensure.

Required Courses (51-54 hours)

• REF 601 - Educational Research: Interpretation and Applications 3 hrs.
• REF 604 - Foundations in American Education 3 hrs.
• REF 607 - Developing a Student-Centered Curriculum 3 hrs.
• REF 632 - Assessing Student Outcomes 3 hrs.
• SPE 500 - The Psychology and Education of the Exceptional Individual 3 hrs.
• PSY 672 - Social Processes in Classroom Learning 3 hrs.
• MED 548 - Choral Literature I 3 hrs.
• MED 591 - Instrumental Workshop 1-3 hrs.
• MED 592 - Choral Workshop 1-3 hrs.
• MED 610 - Teaching and Learning Music 2 hrs.
• MED 725 - Foundations and Principles of Music Education 3 hrs.
• MED 693 - Student Teaching in Music I 3 hrs.
• MED 694 - Student Teaching in Music Education II 3 hrs.
• MED 731 - Graduate Conducting I 3 hrs.
• MED 737 - String Techniques and Materials 2 hrs.
• MED 740 - Music Education in the Elementary Schools 3 hrs.
• MED 750 - Music in General Education 3 hrs.
• MED 734 - Woodwind Techniques and Materials 2 hrs. (instrumental only)
• MED 735 - Brass Techniques and Materials 2 hrs. (instrumental only)
• MED 736 - Percussion Techniques and Materials 2 hrs. (instrumental only)
• Music Theory Electives - MUS 620  may be required.
• Music History Electives - MUS 630  may be requried.
• Ensemble (2 hours)