Sources of

Information

Students are responsible for informing themselves of all graduate degree requirements, procedures, and policies.   In addition to this document, The University of Texas at Arlington Catalog describes Department of Music requirements in the Music section and Graduate School requirements in the Graduate School section.   Further, students should consult the music department website (http://www.uta.edu/music/masters/) and the Graduate School website (http://grad.uta.edu/) for changes and updates.

Admission Requirements

The Department of Music would like to identify the following requirements for entry into the Master of Music in Music Education Degree.  

Unconditional Admission

•  Three letters of recommendation speaking to the student's potential for success from references familiar with the student's academic background.

•  A minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work as calculated by the Graduate School.

•  Bachelors Degree in Music or its demonstrated equivalent (such as a music conservatory degree, a Bachelors Degree in some other discipline with substantial undergraduate hours in music, etc.)

All admission criteria will be considered equally.   Students meeting all three criteria will be granted automatic unconditional admission.

Probationary Status

A student meeting two out of three criteria (see above) and showing promise for successful graduate study will be admitted on probationary status upon the recommendation of the Graduate Studies Committee.   Within probationary status, the student will be admitted unconditionally into the degree program upon completion of 12 hours of graduate study with no grade lower than a B.

Provisional Admission

An applicant unable to supply all required documentation prior to the admission deadline but whom otherwise appears to meet admission requirements may be granted provisional admission.

Deferred Admission

A deferred decision may be granted when a file is incomplete or when a denied decision is not appropriate.

Admission will be denied for students not meeting at least two out of the three criteria (previously listed).   Applicants may reapply for admission if the deficiencies in credentials that led to denial are remedied.

Graduate Advisory Examinations

Graduate advisory examinations in music history and music theory are given during the week prior to the first day of class every fall and spring semesters and as needed in summer semesters.   All entering graduate students must take these examinations before their first semester of graduate studies.   Students who begin their studies during the summer semester may take the advisory exam at the beginning of their first summer semester or the following fall semester.   They may not, however, enroll in any history or theory courses before taking the advisory exam.   Students how wish to enroll in theory or history courses during their first semester of study in the summer must take the advisory exam at the beginning of that summer semester.  

Approval of Work

Students must file a Tentative Program of Work listing all transfer courses, courses in progress and courses required during the first semester of full-time work on program, but no later than completion of the first 12 hours of graduate work.   (If student transfers 9 hours credit, the Tentative Program of Work must be filed during the first semester, whether a full-time student or not.)   This program must be approved by the departmental Committee on Graduate Studies and the Dean of Graduate Studies (see Graduate School website for form).  

Conference Courses (Independent Study)

Students who wish to enroll in a Conference Course (Independent Study) must consult in advance with the instructor and file a permission form to the chair of the music department.   This form must be filed one semester prior to the Conference Course.

Filing out the form does not constitute that permission is granted.   Check with the Graduate Advisor regarding the outcome of the chair's decision.

Private Lessons

To register for private studio instruction, a student must consult in advance with the instructor and must file a permission form to the chair of the music department.   This form must be filed one semester prior to the Private Lesson.

Filing out the form does not constitute that permission is granted.   Check with the Graduate Advisor regarding the outcome of the chair's decision.

Graduate School Calendar

(http://grad.uta.edu)

Students are responsible for informing themselves of all graduate degree requirements, procedures, and policies.   Make sure you know

•  Dates for Thesis and Dissertation Seminar offered by the Graduate School

•  Last date to file an Application for Graduation

•  Last date to pay the diploma fee

•  Last date to file the Final Program of Work

•  Final date to request thesis defense

•  Final date to request Masters exam

•  Final date to submit report of Final Masters examination

•  Final date to submit copy of thesis (mechanical check)

•  Graduation checklist for Masters thesis option

Continuous Enrollment and Status

Once a graduate student begins a degree program, he or she must maintain a continuous enrollment in that program or apply for re-admission to the university.   The application for re-admission can be found at the Graduate School website.   There is a fee to re-apply to the university and the student must allow the university ample time to process this request.

Fellowships

Fellowships, when available, will be awarded on a competitive basis.   Nominees for the Graduate School Master's Fellowship in Music will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Candidates must be new students entering in the fall semester, with a minimum of 6 hours of enrollment in both long semesters to retain their fellowships.
• The minimum undergraduate GPA requirement is 3.0, as calculated by the Graduate School, plus a GPA of 3.0 for any graduate credit hours.
• Transcript of a completed bachelor's degree in music from an accredited institution (or its demonstrated equivalent).
• Three letters of recommendation.
• A written statement explaining the applicant's reasons for graduate study in music.

Graduate Teaching Assistants/Graduate Research Assistants

The department of music has several Graduate Teaching Assistants and Graduate Research Assistantships available.   They are awarded on a competitive basis.   Students must register for a minimum of 9 hours a semester to retain the assistantship and must devote at least 20 hours a week to fulfilling the obligations of the assistantship without undertaking other employment.

When assistantships become available the Application for Graduate Teaching Assistants and Graduate Research Assistants (see Graduate Advisor for application) and the following information must be submitted to the chair of the department:

•  Resume (vitae).

•  Names and contact information from at least three (3) professional references.

•  Cover letter (include a statement of your short term and long-term goals).

•  Transcripts of all previous graduate and undergraduate courses.

See job descriptions posted on the Graduate Bulletin Board when assistantships become available.

Graduate Bulletin Board

The Music Education Bulletin Board is located on the 3 rd floor of the music building outside of room 311.   You should check the bulletin board periodically for changes and updates.  

Completion of Degree

Graduating students must adhere to the deadlines during the semester prior to graduation, as well as the semester that the degree is awarded.   Information regarding these deadlines is available on the Graduate School Calendar found at the Graduate School website.  

During the semester that a student is to receive a degree, he or she must be enrolled in thesis (MUSI 5698) or project (MUSI 5353) and successfully complete the written and oral comprehensive exams.  

No theses, comprehensive examinations, or special projects may be completed during the summer sessions.  

Residence Requirement

Master's degree candidates must spend the equivalent of two semesters of full-time study in residence at The University of Texas at Arlington.

Time Limit

The Master of Music in Music Education degree must be completed within six years from initial registration in the Graduate School.  

Course Worksheets

Course worksheets have been developed for the Master of Music in Music Education degree.   Students should consult regularly with their advisor about their progress on the course worksheet.   These course worksheets are available to download on the music department website.  

Thesis

Once you have chosen your thesis advisor, you must secure a signature before completion of 18 hours indicating an agreement to serve (Thesis Topic Form). The thesis advisor and the supervising committee must approve the thesis topic one semester prior to the first semester of enrollment in MUSI 5398 (Thesis).

During the first semester of being enrolled in MUSI 5398, formal approval of the thesis topic must be obtained through a formal research proposal and presented to the thesis advisor and the supervising committee.   The student must be enrolled in MUSI 5398 each semester that he or she is working in consultation with the thesis advisor.   Once enrolled in this course, continuous enrollment is required until the semester the thesis is to be finished or defended, when the student must register for MUSI 5698.   The grade of R (research in progress) will be given for MUSI 5398 and MUSI 5698 will be graded on a pass/fail basis.   No theses, comprehensive examinations, or special projects may be completed during the summer sessions.  

The thesis and published research articles involves research-based language and specific methods of organizing and presenting information.   Music Education theses must be prepared according to the regulations described in the current edition of Thesis and Dissertation Manual or Style available on the Graduate School's website (http://grad.uta.edu) and the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association .  

During MUSI 5698 the student must defend the thesis to his or her thesis advisor, supervising committee, and any faculty, staff or students who are interested in attending.   The student is responsible for arranging this defense and reserving the conference room.   The defense should last a maximum of one-hour and professionalism is expected.   The defense should not be in conjunction with the oral comprehensive exam.

It is the responsibility of the student to bring the Final Master's Examination Report (found on the Graduate School website under Virtual Graduate School Advisor) filled out (typed) for the professors to sign at the conclusion of the exam.   The committee will check one of the following (passed unconditionally; passed conditionally, with the specified remedial; failed, with permission to be reexamined after specified period; failed, dismissal from the program) and sign the form.   This form must be delivered to the Graduate School within two working days after the examination is administered.  

The student is responsible for checking the Graduate School calendar for specific deadlines.

Thesis Supervising Committee

A supervising committee of at least three members of the Graduate Faculty approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies must be selected prior to the completion of 18 hours.   Students must get signatures from faculty committee members indicating their willingness to serve (see form listed above in thesis section).

Approval for Use of Human Subjects in Research

If any student is planning to use human subjects (interviews, surveys, etc.) as part of any research activity, he or she must successfully complete Research Compliance Training through the U.T. Arlington Office of Research Compliance and receive permission to conduct the research from the university.   An IRB protocol must be submitted to be reviewed at a full board meeting and must be received by the Office of Research Compliance a minimum of 5 working days prior to the meeting. They require that the student have the signed original copy of the protocol.   Research may not take place until the university has given the student permission to use human subjects.

If the student has any questions regarding research involving the use of human subjects, he or she should contact the U.T. Arlington Research Compliance office.

Non-Thesis
Project

Non-thesis students must complete a project during their last semester of coursework.   A project supervisor must be chosen prior to the completion of the first 12 hours of graduate work (Project Proposal Worksheet). The project must be approved by the project supervisor before the completion of the semester prior to enrollment of MUSI 5353 and is designed to improve some element of your teaching.   At the conclusion of the semester, the student will present his or her project during the Music Education Forum for faculty, students, and community members. No theses, comprehensive examinations, or special projects may be completed during the summer sessions.

Comprehensive Exams

Written and oral comprehensive exams will take place during the last semester of course work (either during MUSI 5698 or MUSI 5353) and may be taken during the fall or spring semester.   No theses, comprehensive examinations, or special projects may be completed during the summer sessions.  

The student is responsible for checking the current Graduate School Catalog for deadlines and dates applicable to the administration and report of the Final Master's Examination (check the calendar to determine the final day to request a master's exam date and the final date to hold a master's exam).  

These exams will consist of the same content, one question from each of the core courses (5 questions taken from the five core courses).   It is the responsibility of the student to contact the professor of each core course and develop a comprehensive exam question.   The student must prepare for the exam and answer all five questions without notes during one day (i.e., one question per hour).   The following is a possible schedule for the written exam:

            9:00 a.m.          Philosophical Foundations of Music              

                                         Education

            10:00 a.m.        Psychological Foundations of Music               

                                         Education

            11:00 a.m.        Research in Music Education

            12:00 p.m.        Lunch

            1:00 p.m.          Music History

            2:00 p.m.          Form and Style Analysis

The exam will be proctored by a faculty member and must be taken on campus.

Approximately 2-3 days after the exam, contact each professor and ask him/her the weaknesses of the written portion of the exam so preparation can begin for the oral defense.

The oral defense will be one week after the written exam and will last no longer than one hour.   At this exam the student and every professor who supplied a comprehensive exam question (there must be a minimum of three professors on this committee) will meet in the conference room for the oral portion of the exam.   The student is responsible for arranging this oral exam and reserving the conference room.   It is expected that the student views this exam from a professional standpoint (i.e., in regard to attire) and arrives on-time and prepared.   During the exam the student may use notes that he or she prepared for guidance when answering questions.   All professors will be part of the discussion and asking the student to clarify statements made by him or her.   At the conclusion of the defense, the student is asked to wait outside while the comprehensive exam committee discusses the outcome of the exam.  

It is the responsibility of the student to bring the Final Master's Examination Report (found on the Graduate School website under Virtual Graduate School Advisor) filled out (typed) for the professors to sign at the conclusion of the exam.   The committee will check one of the following (passed unconditionally; passed conditionally, with the specified remedial; failed, with permission to be reexamined after specified period; failed, dismissal from the program) and sign the form.   This form must be delivered to the Graduate School within two working days after the examination is administered.  

Non-Thesis Supervising Committee

A supervising committee of at least three members of the Graduate Faculty approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies must be present at the oral portion of the Comprehensive Exam.   These members will consist of the faculty members who taught you the core courses.