Exit Procedures

Students in the Performance, Conducting, and Composition concentrations, as well as those students in the Teaching Concentration who choose a Professional Development Project instead of a Thesis, are required to pass an oral examination in order to receive their degree. In the exam the student will demonstrate the ability to speak articulately and intelligently about various aspects of music.

Students in the Teaching Concentration who choose a Thesis rather than a Professional Development Project defend their Thesis in lieu of an oral exam.

Scheduling of the exam:

The exam takes place during the last semester of study, at least three weeks before the last day of classes.

If the student completes their coursework during Winter Session, the oral exam takes place during Spring Semester. If the student completes their coursework during one of the Summer Sessions and wishes to have the degree confirmed in August, they must take the oral exam during the previous Spring Semester.

The student is responsible for scheduling the exam and reserving a room from the School of Music staff. The exam date must be determined not less than two weeks in advance. The student gives the date of the exam to the Director of Graduate Studies once it is determined.

Exam committee:

Students are responsible for obtaining three faculty members to hear their exam.

For those in the Performance, Conducting, and Composition Concentrations, these are: the student's Private Study instructor, one faculty member whose primary teaching load is in a non-performance area, and one additional faculty member of the student's choice.

For those in the Teaching Concentration planning to complete a Professional Development Project, these are: the faculty member who guided the Professional Development Project, one faculty member whose primary teaching load is in a non-performance area, and one additional faculty member of the student's choice.

The student gives the names of the faculty members to the Director of Graduate Studies.

Each faculty member gives the student either a topic or up to three questions to consider and be prepared to speak about at the exam. These questions or topics are given to the student at least 14 days prior to the exam date.

The student obtains a Master's Oral Exam Completion sheet from the Academic Advisor and brings this to the Exam.

Exam procedure:

The student may not have written notes for the exam. The Private Study instructor is responsible for welcoming the student at the beginning of the exam, and explaining the following exam procedure to the student. The exam is scheduled for 45 minutes. At the end of the exam, the student is asked to leave the room briefly, and the faculty committee determines the result of the exam. There are three possible results: pass, fail, or partial pass. (See next section.) The student re-enters the exam room and is told the result.

The student must pass all portions in order to pass the exam. The exam is considered in three portions, corresponding to the topics or questions provided by the three faculty members on the exam committee.

Recourse if the student does not pass:

• If the student fails one or two portions of the exam, they may re-take those portions within 10 days. The student is responsible for determining the date and time of the retake exam, taking into account the availability of the faculty members. The same three faculty members hear the retake exam, and the student is expected to speak on the same topic or questions as in the original exam.
  
• If the student fails all three portions of the exam, they must register for Master's Sustaining: Non-thesis (UNIV 895) and retake the examination the following semester. In this case the faculty committee will be the same, but the student will be given new questions or topics.

Students must pass all portions of the exam by the second attempt in order to be awarded the degree.

Students must return the Oral Exam Completion Form to the Academic Advisor on the day of their exam.

THESIS PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

1. Candidate provides thesis proposal to committee two weeks before proposal meeting date
   
2. An acceptable proposal must demonstrate
   
1. A clear presentation of relevant literature
   
2. The literature review leads to purpose and questions
   
3.  The methodology is logical and sound
   
4. References demonstrate a relationship to relevant research
   
5. CITI Training Certificate
   
6. HSRB Clearance
   
3. Upon the proposal meeting, the thesis committee will decide on the next course of action for the candidate:
1. proceed with research study;
2. proceed with minor revisions of the proposal and subsequent approval of committee; or
3. revise proposal for resubmission
   

• Committee signs form indicating level of approval

Students must return the Master’s Thesis Proposal Form to the Academic Advisor.

THESIS DEFENSE AND SUBMISSION

1. Three weeks prior to Graduate School thesis submission deadline
1. Candidate submits complete thesis to committee
2. Two weeks prior to Graduate School thesis submission deadline
1. Candidate schedules and holds a public thesis defense, which entails
1. 30 minute presentation for the committee and audience
2. questions asked from the thesis committee and audience
3. At the conclusion of the defense, the thesis committee will vote to
1. pass the thesis as is;
2. pass the thesis with revisions/alterations; or
3. not pass

• Committee signs thesis cover sheet when confident that candidate passes.

Students must return the Master’s Thesis Completion Form to the Academic Advisor on the day of their defense.

PROJECT PROPOSAL

Proposal outlines the scope and sequence of the project

1. The need for the project is substantiated
2. Related research is used as a source from which to create the project
3. The method of the project is presented clearly
4. The means for the evaluation of the project is clearly presented in the form of a rubric/assessment measure

1. Project evaluation criteria from 2.I.A is used for evaluation

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Candidates electing to complete the PDP must take and pass an oral exam (see EXIT PROCEDURES, Oral Examination)

Students must return the PDP Proposal Form and the PDP Completion Form to the Academic Advisor.