2. Academic Procedures And Policies

School of Music policy requires that to earn credit for a course, a student must be officially enrolled by the end of the second full week of the term and attend at least 75% of all class meetings.  Faculty members may establish additional attendance requirements as they deem necessary and outlined in their course syllabus.  Any student who is not present for at least 75% of the scheduled class meetings for any course will automatically receive a grade of “F” for the course.  Any University-related activity necessitating an absence from class will count as an absence when determining whether a student has attended the required 75% of class meetings.

Undergraduate Course Repeat Policy | Office of the Registrar | Baylor University

School of Music Policy

Students currently seeking a music degree (BM, BME, BA Music) may not repeat a course in the Music Core course work in their major after receiving a grade of “F” in that course for the second time.

Baylor University Policy

A student may repeat a course for which his or her highest earned grade is a “C-” or below.  A student may also repeat a course, when approved by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, for which he or she needs to earn a higher grade in order to fulfill a prerequisite for a course requirement for a degree, major, or minor. (A student is encouraged to review degree/major/minor requirements for policies governing minimum grades needed in those areas.) 

A student will have a maximum of three attempts for any one course. A course that has received a grade or a “W” notation is considered an attempt.

Courses attempted at Baylor University, which includes courses for which a student received a “W” notation, may not be repeated at another institution for transfer to Baylor University.  All grades earned at Baylor University will be calculated in the term and cumulative grade point average (GPA).

Academic Forgiveness

A student may request to have the first grade earned (not a “W” notation) from a repeated course excluded from the calculation of their grade point average (GPA) for a maximum of three courses during their undergraduate career, where the original grade earned was a “C-” or below.  If a student attempts a course a third time and Academic Forgiveness is applied, then all grades except the first will be used to calculate the grade point average (GPA).  Once applied to a particular course, Academic Forgiveness cannot be cancelled or removed and may not be appealed.

Plagiarism or any form of cheating involves a breach of student-teacher trust. This means that any work submitted under your name is expected to be your own, neither composed by anyone else as a whole or in part, nor handed over to another person for complete or partial revision.  Be sure to document all ideas that are not your own.  In addition, you must not provide course materials to other students, whether individually or generally (such as online) that would enable them to gain an unfair academic advantage.  Instances of plagiarism or any other act of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Honor Council and may result in failure of the course. Not understanding plagiarism is not an excuse. We expect you, as a Baylor student, to be intimately familiar with the Honor Code at:

Office of Academic Integrity | Baylor University

See Use of Artificial Intelligence in the School of Music Undergraduate Handbook.

Recommended Statements

Example A (Intended to convey “Do not use AI in this course”) 

All assignments should be your original work and should not be produced in part or in total with the assistance of artificial intelligence (for example, ChatGPT, Grammarly, or some other resource). Use of artificial intelligence without my explicit permission constitutes a violation of the Honor Code at Baylor University.

Option B (Intended to convey “This course will likely not use AI”)

Unless I instruct you otherwise, all assignments should be your original work and should not be produced in part or in total with the assistance of artificial intelligence (for example, ChatGPT, Grammarly, or some other resource). Use of artificial intelligence without explicit permission from the instructor constitutes a violation of the Honor Code at Baylor University. I [may or will] at times use artificial intelligence tools for instruction or allow or expect you to use them to complete your assignments, but in these instances I will provide clear permission and guidance for their proper use. 

Option C (Intended to convey “Expect guidance on how to use AI in this course”)

The use of artificial intelligence (for example, ChatGPT, Grammarly, Midjourney, or some other resource) is generally acceptable in this course.  However, you will ordinarily need to provide information about the tool(s) and the specific nature of your use of the tools so as to inform those who are [reading/seeing/hearing/observing] the work about content contributed by the tools, as well as to make clear the nature and extent of your own contribution to assignments.  I will be clarifying the requirements for this documentation for each of your assignments, and, as is the case for more traditional documentation such as footnoting, failure to observe these requirements could constitute a violation of the Honor Code at Baylor University.

Any student who needs academic accommodations related to a documented disability should inform their professor immediately at the beginning of the semester. The professor will be able to obtain appropriate documentation and information regarding a student’s accommodations from the Office of Access and Learning Accommodation (OALA).  Any additional assistance regarding accommodations is available on the first floor of Sid Richardson Hall, East Wing in the Paul L. Foster Success Center or call (254) 710-3605 or email OALA@baylor.edu. 

The Family Education and Right to Privacy Act (FERPA) governs the disclosure of student records and information.  FERPA provides that student records other than published directory information must remain private and confidential.  Student non-directory information which this law protects includes class grades and grade point averages; social security numbers; disciplinary records; parent or guardian’s name, address, and phone numbers; class schedules; and health records. However, this law does permit the disclosure, without the consent of the student involved, of confidential student information to faculty members with legitimate educational interests. 

A student may consent to allowing specific information to be shared with specific individuals on a specific date. In this case a student must sign a FERPA consent form, which is available in the Undergraduate Handbook on the School of Music website.

Faculty members are responsible for maintaining for at least three years all class grades and attendance records for students enrolled in their classes.  Papers, examinations, and other class assignments which a student submits in a course and which are considered in determining a student’s grade must either be returned to the student or retained by the instructor for at least one full semester beyond the end of the semester in which the student took the course.

Faculty members who leave the University, should, prior to their departure, convey to their Division Director all student records from at least the previous three years.  Outdated student records or papers should be shredded.

Faculty may access student FERPA information and consent here:

FERPA | Office of the Registrar | Baylor University

Decisions regarding Academic Probation/Suspension in the School of Music are made by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Every course offered in the School of Music, including Applied Music Courses, should have a current course syllabus made available to students no later than the first class meeting. Each syllabus should include course goals and objectives, student expectations, a thorough description of the grading policy, and the School of Music attendance policy.  Also include any class meeting dates that will be affected by the faculty member’s preapproved absence, dates that the class requires the student to travel away from campus, or activities that may occur outside of the scheduled class meeting time.

Please be sure to include your attendance policy in your syllabus and ensure that it is consistent with the academic unit in which you are teaching.  You may not hold students accountable for unpublished expectations for attendance and participation.

All faculty members delivering instruction in the School of Music will be required to submit a syllabus by the first day of class for each course taught to the Undergraduate Academic Programs Manager.  Each syllabus must include a calendar that clearly lists all activities occurring outside of scheduled class time.

Course syllabi should be submitted via email to the Undergraduate Academic Programs Manager. If you use one syllabus for multiple course numbers (e.g. an ensemble with undergraduate and graduate course numbers or an applied studio with multiple course numbers) please submit only one syllabus for all those course numbers and include a note of explanation in your email.

Requests to add class activities not listed on the syllabus must be submitted three weeks in advance of the date of the activity to be considered for approval. The Class-Related Activity Request form will include the class name/section, date of the activity, start and end times, and a brief justification.

Class-Related Activity Request

Academic Success Statement

I believe every student who has been admitted to Baylor can be successful, and I want to partner with you to help you thrive academically. Be sure to take advantage of the many resources available for academic success, including coming to see me during my office hours. Students who regularly utilize the great resources in the Paul L. Foster Success Center such as tutoring, Learning Lab, and Academic Mentoring are among my most successful students. If your academic performance in this class is substandard, I will submit an Academic Progress Report to the Success Center so that the team of coordinated care professionals can ensure that you get the help you need.

University Writing Center Statement

I encourage you to visit the University Writing Center (UWC) this semester and get feedback on your writing for this course. Located in Moody Library 2nd floor West, the UWC offers free assistance to you at any stage of the writing process (brainstorming, researching, outlining, drafting, revising, editing). In their feedback, the consultants focus on higher order concerns, such as content, thesis, evidence, and organization, before grammar or style. The UWC tutors will not proofread, edit, or write your paper for you, but they will equip you with a toolbox of strategies to improve your writing, research, and editing skills. Please take the assignment prompt, your paper/text, and other materials you might need with you to your appointment. Please include my name as the professor, and a report will automatically be sent to me after your session. Go to the website (www.baylor.edu/uwc) to schedule an appointment, call the UWC at (254) 710-4849, or stop by in person.

First Generation College Student Statement

Baylor University defines a first-generation college student as a student whose parents did not complete a four-year college degree. The First in Line program is a support office for first-generation college students to utilize if they have any questions or concerns. Please check out First in Line, visit us in the Basement of Sid Richardson West Wing or email firstinline@baylor.edu. [If you are a first gen college student, you may wish to add:] I was also the first in my family to graduate with a four-year bachelor’s degree and can answer questions about experiences as a first-generation college student.

Military Connected Students Statement

Veterans, active-duty military personnel, and dependents are encouraged to connect with the VETS program, a space dedicated to supporting our military-connected students. Please communicate, in advance if possible, any special circumstances (e.g., upcoming deployment, drill requirements, disability accommodations).

Student Health Services Statement

Baylor University is strongly committed to addressing the physical wellbeing and mental health of students by  providing access to on-campus healthcare resources. Baylor Health Services includes Primary Care, Psychiatry, Physical Therapy and Pharmacy and is staffed with fully certified and licensed physicians and nurse practitioners, as well as nurses and administrative staff. Appointments may be made by calling their main number or by logging into the health portal located on their website. Contact Information: (254) 710-1010; Health_Services@baylor.edu. 

Telehealth Services for Students Statement

All Baylor students also have access to medical and counseling services via telehealth in addition to the on-campus services.  Medical services include virtual urgent care, psychiatry, and nutrition counseling. Counseling services include 24/7/365 in-the-moment support and ongoing mental health counseling.  Access to care is available in the evenings, during weekends, and when the University is closed.  All services are free and unlimited to Baylor students.  Please visit https://baylor.academiclivecare.com for more information.

Substance and Behavioral Addiction Statement

The Beauchamp Addiction Recovery Center (BARC) supports students in recovery from substance and behavioral addictions through an all-encompassing level of support approach that includes one-on-one mentorship, support groups, and social events open to all Baylor students. Located in the East Village Residential Community (bottom floor of Teal Residential College). Contact Information: (254) 710-7092; BARC@baylor.edu

Baylor University Counseling Center Statement

The Counseling Center seeks to foster wholeness for every student through caring relationships, cultural humility and integrated mental health services.

Located on the second floor of the Student Life Center.

For an appointment, go to our website to schedule an Initial Assessment or call (254) 710-2467. 

Facing Struggles as a Baylor Student Statement

The Department of CARE Team Services is a group of dedicated and caring case managers who work with students struggling with mental health issues, financial struggles, and anything else affecting a student’s ability to be successful in the classroom. You can find them on the second floor of the Student Life Center, suite 207.  Contact Information: (254) 710-2100 ; CareTeam@baylor.edu.

Crises and Emergencies Statement

Please make a note of the following numbers for crises or emergencies: 

• Counseling Center Crisis Line: (254) 710-2467 (Business Hours/Non-Business Hours/Weekends)
• Baylor Police Department: (254) 710-2222
• MHMR Crisis Center: (254) 867-6550
• MHMR 24-Hour Emergency/Crisis Number: (254) 752-3451

When home during academic breaks or when the counseling center is closed, please call your local resources and/or national hotlines: 

• National Hope Network Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

Food Insecurity for Students Statement

At Baylor, we want all students to have access to food resources that will support their holistic well-being and success. If you or someone you know experiences food insecurity at any time, you can find information on campus and community food resources by visiting The Store. You can also contact Store staff at (254) 710-4931. For additional basic needs assistance, please reach out to CASE or the Care Team. 

Spiritual Wellbeing Statement

The Office of Spiritual Life offers programs, persons, and resources to nurture theological depth, spiritual wholeness, and missional living.

Located on the corner of 5th and Speight Street in the BoBo Spiritual Life Center.

Contact Information: (254) 710-3517; Spiritual_Life@baylor.edu

See Recital Attendance - MUS 1001 in the School of Music Undergraduate Student Handbook.

Faculty members are encouraged to support the recital attendance requirements as outlined in the syllabus and to help to maintain the integrity of the requirement.

An Academic Progress Report should be reported by a faculty member when a student is exhibiting academic behaviors such as low grades, missing tests or assignments, and/or irregular class attendance, which may lead to failure of a course. Academic Progress Reports may be issued after the sixth week of the semester.

Academic Progress Reports | Center for Academic Success and Engagement | Baylor University

Class Roll

Every School of Music faculty member is responsible for checking his or her class rolls for accuracy.  On the 12^th class day, the official University “census” day, every faculty member should check the class roll for every class he or she is teaching. Any student who is attending class but who is not officially enrolled should not be allowed to attend class and should be directed to the Registrar’s Office in Robinson Tower to complete enrollment.  If there is any student who is enrolled but has not attended class, that information should be sent to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Baylor University || ClassRoll

Course Enrollment Changes

Students can add a course to their schedule or drop a course from their schedule on their BearWeb accounts through the fifth class day of the semester. After that time, all registration changes must be made in person in the Registrar’s Office. A fee will be charged to the student for making a change in his or her schedule beginning with the 6^th class day.

• Days missed from class prior to the time the student is officially enrolled should be considered as absences.
• After the 12^th class day of the semester, students must have their advisor’s signature in order to drop a class.  The university has specific dates that determine the effect of the drop on the student's academic record. These dates are listed in the Academic Calendar for the specific term and can be found on the Events Calendar website. A class drop or University Withdrawal during the period of the 13th through the 50th class day results in a W being recorded for the class(es) on the student's record and appearing on the transcript. Retroactive drops will not be approved.

The listing of classes to be offered in a given term in the School of Music with instructors, class meeting days, times, and places is developed approximately one year prior to the specified term. Once the schedule is developed by the Division Directors, a draft schedule will be disseminated to the entire faculty. 

Every faculty member should examine the draft schedule regarding his or her courses, and any additions, deletions, or changes should be sent to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs by the announced deadline. It is very difficult to make changes to the schedule of classes after it is posted for student registration.

The electronic course action system is used to develop new courses or to make changes to existing courses, such as deleting or archiving courses that are no longer being offered, changing the name of an existing course, changing the prerequisites for an existing course, etc. This system allows for a faculty member to request a course action.  Then the system electronically routes the request through the series of reviews that are necessary for the proposed action to be officially adopted or rejected.

CIM Program Form (Faculty/Staff) | Office of the Registrar | Baylor University

Pursuant to Baylor University Personnel Policy 701, full-time faculty members are expected to maintain approximately 12 regular office hours per week in order to be available to students for individual academic support and counseling and to provide office time for class preparation, grading, and completing reports which may be requested by various University offices.

Recommended Syllabus Statement

One of the best ways to take full advantage of learning in my course is by coming to my posted office hours. I look forward to guiding you in your academic pursuits. Take advantage of the hours listed or email me for an appointment.

Except for Confidential Resources, all University Employees are designated Responsible Employees and thereby mandatory reporters of potential sexual and interpersonal misconduct violations. Confidential Resources who do not have to report include those working in the Counseling Center, Health Center and the University Chaplain, Dr. Burt Burleson.

Recommended Statement

Civil Rights Policy and Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct Policy

Baylor University does not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, disability, national origin, ancestry, age (over 40), citizenship, genetic information or the refusal to submit to a genetic test, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, Texas, or local law (collectively referred to as Protected Characteristics).

If you or someone you know would like help related to an experience involving:

• Sexual or gender-based harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, stalking, intimate partner violence, or retaliation for reporting one of these types of prohibited conduct, please visit  https://titleix.web.baylor.edu or contact us at (254) 710-8454, or TitleIX_Coordinator@baylor.edu.
• Harassment (excluding those issues listed in #1) or adverse action based on Protected Characteristics, please visit www.baylor.edu/civilrights, or contact us at (254) 710-7100 or Civil_Rights@baylor.edu.

Optional Content:

The Office of Equity and Title IX understands the sensitive nature of these situations and can provide information about available on- and off-campusresources, such as counseling and psychological services, medical treatment, academic support, university housing, and other forms of assistance that may be available. Staff members at the office can also explain your rights and procedural options. You will not be required to share your experience. If you or someone you know feels unsafe or may be in imminentdanger, please call the Baylor Police Department (254-710-2222) or Waco Police Department (9-1-1) immediately. 

Exams & Grading | Office of the Registrar | Baylor University

At the end of each semester, examinations are given in all subjects. Juries are held for all Applied Music Courses. No final examination should be given on other than the scheduled examination date. A student with three final examinations scheduled on the same day may appeal to one of the instructors or the appropriate dean who will reschedule an exam during the final examination period.

Final grades are submitted on-line by the instructor during the final grade submission period, which is announced by e-mail from the Registrar’s Office at the end of the term.  Final grades may be submitted in three ways:  through the instructor’s BearWeb account, through Canvas, or through ClassRoll. It is the instructor’s responsibility to submit a grade for every student enrolled in his or her courses before the announced deadline.  A separate deadline is announced for grade submission for graduating seniors.

Grading Policies | Office of the Provost | Baylor University

Grading Resources (Faculty/Staff) | Office of the Registrar | Baylor University

Grade Change Policies | Office of the Registrar | Baylor University

The graduate committee for most majors shall consist of at least three (3) faculty members. (Church Music, Conducting, Piano Pedagogy and Performance, and double majors require more; see the explanations below.) Typically, the committee will consist of two faculty members from the student’s principal or major area and one from another division of the School of Music. At least two (2) committee members must be members of the graduate faculty; preferably all three persons will be. The chair of the committee must be a member of the graduate faculty. For a list of graduate faculty, see the Graduate Handbook. For Performance majors, typically the student’s applied teacher serves as chair. For example, a viola performance major’s graduate committee would consist of the viola professor, another string faculty member, and a faculty member from another division (Music Education, Vocal Studies, Music Theory, Musicology, etc.). Additional members may be added to the committee at the request of the student or committee chair with the approval of the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies.

Double Majors: The committee for students who are double majors shall consist of at least four members of the graduate faculty, two from each of the student’s majors.

Church Music: Church Music requires three Church Music professors plus one other music professor who is not in Church Music.

Conducting: Conducting requires the participation of the Directors of Orchestral, Band, and Choral Activities, plus one other music professor who is not on the conducting faculty.

Piano Pedagogy and Performance: Piano Pedagogy and Performance requires the Piano Pedagogy professor, the student’s applied teacher, one other piano faculty member, plus one other music professor who is not in the Keyboard Division.

Oral Exam Committee: The student’s graduate committee plus a graduate faculty member from outside the School of Music administers the oral comprehensive examination. At the time the date of the final oral examination is established the student will select a graduate faculty member from outside the School of Music who will serve as the Graduate School representative at the examination. See the Graduate Catalog or check with the Administrative Associate for the School of Music’s Graduate Program for a list of graduate faculty members, or consult the Graduate School’s website: https://www.baylor.edu/graduate/index.php?id=959408

Membership of the Ph.D. Dissertation Committee

The dissertation committee will consist of five members of the graduate faculty, at least one of whom must be external to the School of Music. Upon approval of the prospectus, first and second readers will be assigned by the Graduate Program Director in consultation with the Church Music faculty. The readers will be chosen based on the unique scope and subject of the dissertation. The first reader will be from the Church Music faculty, while the second may be from outside the Church Music area.

Membership of the D.M.A. Graduate Committee

The D.M.A. committee will consist of at least five members of the graduate faculty. For the first recital, it will include the student’s applied teacher, another professor from the same division, and three Church Music faculty. For the second recital, accompanying document, and final oral examination, the committee must include a member of the graduate faculty external to the School of Music. Additional members may be added to the committee at the request of the student or committee chair with the approval of the Graduate Program Director.

Graduate Courses: Incompletes And Grade Changes

The grade of “I” (incomplete) may be given only where the completed portion of work in the course is of passing quality. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the course requirements and to see that the incomplete grade is removed from the record. All incompletes must be removed before the Oral Examination date can be established. A student may not graduate with an “I”.

incomplete on their transcript. The incomplete grade will change to an “F” when the student reaches their time limit for degree completion, is certified to graduate, or withdraws from the program. The only exception is dissertation (6V99) or thesis (5V99). The instructor of record for the course may require the student to complete the course and remove the incomplete at any time prior to the Graduate School deadline as stated above.

Changes to grades may be initiated by the instructor of the class and must be approved by the department chair and the dean of the Graduate School (with notification to the dean of the school in which the class was offered). Changes to grades may be initiated by an instructor when the original grade resulted from an error, the original grade was an Incomplete, or in cases where the student’s performance was affected by extenuating circumstances. Changes resulting from an error or extenuating circumstances may only be made within one calendar year of the original grade assignment and may not occur once a degree has been conferred or the student’s time limit has expired. Further, changes to Incomplete grades may be made only in compliance with Graduate School policies on Incompletes (see policies below).

Beyond changes to grades for reasons stated above, changes may occur when initiated by the Provost based on the finding of a violation of academic integrity or when a grade is successfully appealed through the appropriate process. The one-year time limit does not apply to these changes.

Baylor Policy requires that incompletes be removed from the student’s transcript when the student graduates, withdraws from the program, or their time limit has expired, with the exception of dissertation (6V99) or thesis (5V99) hours. The Graduate School will administratively initiate the change of grade form to change the incomplete to an “F” if the instructor has not already submitted the change.

The instructor of record for the course may require the student to complete the course and remove the incomplete at any time prior to the Graduate School deadline as stated above. The instructor may not exceed the Graduate School deadline unless a formal extension to the student’s time limit has been petitioned and approved by both the Graduate Program Director in the student’s department and the Graduate School.

A student may be given an “I” in dissertation (6V99) and thesis (5V99) until the work is completed and successfully defended. Once completed and defended, the instructor of record will submit a change of grade changing the “I” to “CR” for semesters in which the student registered for dissertation (6V99) or thesis (5V99).

The purpose of the School of Music at Baylor University is to provide academic and performance training of musicians at the highest possible levels. In order to achieve this goal, it is imperative for the School of Music to maintain a well-qualified and professionally active faculty. This is particularly critical for persons selected to serve on the Graduate Faculty of the School of Music.

The development of professional musicians calls for training in a variety of areas that can be summarized as three basic components: academic, performance (applied music), and music education. In the administrative structure of Baylor University, the academic area of the School of Music area includes the disciplines of church music, composition, musicology, and music theory. The performance area includes all keyboard, instrumental, and vocal studies, as well as conducting. Because of its unique mission and curriculum, music education is a stand-alone division.

While the Graduate Faculty members of the School of Music usually hold an appointment in one of these divisions, there may be a considerable amount of overlap in their responsibilities and work. For example, a professor holding an appointment in the academic division may also serve as the conductor of an ensemble or as a professional performer, while a faculty member in a performance area may teach a music theory class or write articles. Such overlap is common and, indeed, in many cases is expected. In the School of Music every musical activity is valued, whether it involves private or classroom instruction; performance; research, publication, and other forms of scholarship; and musical composition or lyric writing.

While holding all musical activity in high esteem, however, the nature of the individual professor’s appointment will usually dictate the bulk of their work. For example, a member of the academic division should be productive in the traditional scholarly world of research, writing, and conference presentation, though the composition of music or performance in significant venues must also be taken into account. Likewise, performance division faculty members should be active performers both inside and outside the university, but works of traditional scholarship will also be valued. The premium that is attached to each of these activities will, of course, depend upon the quality of the publication/performance/composition, the respect accorded to the venue in which it appears, and so on.

Another factor that must be taken into account for the School of Music Graduate Faculty is the matter of recruitment of graduate students. The School of Music follows the centuries-old tradition of training musicians through mentor/learner relationships, in which students often choose to attend a school in order to study with a particular applied teacher, who may have been recommended to them by a former or current teacher. Thus, the recruitment of quality graduate students is one measure of a professor’s standing in the musical and academic communities, and is a major activity of the School of Music faculty.

Finally, it should be noted that teaching loads in the School of Music are generally heavier than in most other areas of the university. In part, this results from the fact that much of the instruction in the School of Music is necessarily one-on-one or in small groups. For example, all the members of an English faculty—though each undoubtedly has an area of specialty— will generally be able (and will be called upon) to teach grammar and composition, and various levels of English, American or world literature. The viola instructor in the School of Music, on the other hand, will teach all the viola students; no other music faculty member can adequately teach these students because of the specialization required. By the same token, the viola teacher cannot be expected to teach the oboe students. The same principle generally applies even in the academic areas of the School of Music. For this reason, and others, music faculty members are often not given the same amount of release time for research and creative activity as other academic units in the university.

The Purpose of Graduate Faculty Status in the School of Music

Graduate Faculty status is required for three principal activities in the School of Music. The first is the ability to chair or sit on final oral examinations for Master of Music, Doctor of Musical Arts and PhD students. Current policy requires that the chair of the oral exam be a member of the Graduate Faculty, and that there be at least one other member of the Graduate Faculty on the examining committee (in addition, there must be a non-music Graduate Faculty member on the examining committee). Non-Graduate Faculty persons may serve on the oral exam committee—and, indeed, in some cases they must be on the committee if they are the principal applied teacher for the student—but there must be at least two members of the Graduate Faculty from the School of Music on the committee.

The second area is the supervision of master’s theses and doctoral dissertations. Only members of the Graduate Faculty are allowed to serve as a dissertation or thesis supervisor. Non-Graduate Faculty members who have specialized knowledge of the thesis subject may serve on dissertation and thesis committees, but the supervisor and at least one other committee member must be on the Graduate Faculty.

The third area is service on recital committees. Each graduate student’s recital committee must include at least two members of the Graduate Faculty. Non-Graduate Faculty members may serve on the recital committee—particularly if they are the student’s principal applied teacher—but there must be at least two members of the Graduate Faculty from the School of Music on the committee.

The School of Music does not require that graduate courses be taught only by Graduate Faculty members. This is particularly the case for faculty members who teach in the applied areas.

Qualifications for Graduate Faculty Status in the School of Music

The following are the general criteria by which the suitability of candidates for Graduate

Faculty status in the School of Music are evaluated.

• All Graduate Faculty members in the School of Music must be members of the full time tenured or tenure-track faculty.
• The terminal degree for Graduate Faculty members in the School of Music will normally be an earned doctorate. Exceptions to this general rule may be made for faculty members who have exceptional performance or teaching experience (for example, they have had an extensive career as a professional performer).
• Persons will normally become eligible for Graduate Faculty status after they have completed a minimum of one (1) year of teaching at Baylor University. In certain cases where the candidate has had a distinguished career as a teacher and scholar, they may be added to the Graduate Faculty in their first year of teaching at Baylor, upon the recommendation of the School of Music Graduate Program Director, the chair of the division in which they teach, and a majority of the Graduate Faculty in the School of Music,
• Applicants for Graduate Faculty status must demonstrate appropriate scholarly or performance productivity. For those in the academic areas, this will normally mean the writing of articles, books, liner and program notes, and presentations at scholarly conferences. While there is no specific number of publications that must be met, the general expectation is that the applicant will have published or had accepted two to three articles in journals or other venues appropriate to the discipline, depending upon what else the applicant brings in the way of performance, composition, etc.
• For applicants in the applied areas, it is expected that the faculty member will have given recitals or conducted programs both on the Baylor campus and at off-campus locations. Concerts given on the Baylor campus are considered to be important not only as a marker of scholarship, but also as a part of the professor’s teaching. Significant off-campus venues would include performances/adjudication at other colleges and universities that may be described as peer institutions of Baylor, major conferences featuring the performer’s instrument, high-level auditions and contests, professional performances, and professional recordings on commercial labels or publication in a journal related to the performer’s instrument. The following are examples of activities that will be valued.
• An invitation to perform a recital at a college or university, particularly one that has a graduate program in music.
  • A trumpet player performing at the International Trumpet Guild.
  • A pianist placing first, second, or third at a national or international competition.
  • A singer performing a significant role in a production with a professional opera company.
  • An organist publishing an article on organ literature or technique in The American Organist.

Because of the nature of the profession, performances at colleges/universities usually come about by invitation rather than through application. However, the invitation illustrates the regard in which the performer is held. As in the case with persons in the academic area, there is no set number of performances, auditions, publications, etc., but the general expectation is that the applicant will have at least two to three activities in significant venues before being added to the Graduate Faculty.

• It will be the responsibility of the Graduate Program Director, the chair of the division within which the applicant operates, and the majority of the Graduate Faculty of the School of Music to determine and interpret what constitutes a significant publication or performance venue for the faculty member in question.

Procedures for Adding an Applicant to the Graduate Faculty

The following procedures will be followed in recommending and accepting a person to the Graduate Faculty of the School of Music.

• The chair of the division in which the applicant teaches will initiate the procedure by recommending in writing to the Graduate Program Director that the person be added to the Graduate Faculty and providing the reason(s) for this recommendation.
• If the Graduate Program Director concurs with the recommendation of the Division Chair, the Graduate Program Director will request a curriculum vitae from the faculty member. The c.v. will detail the candidate’s qualifications in terms of teaching and scholarship/performance.
• Once the c.v. has been obtained, the Graduate Program Director will make it and the Chair’s letter of nomination available to the Graduate Faculty in the School of Music.
• The SOM Graduate Faculty will be asked to review the documents and vote in support of (or objection to) the addition of the candidate to the Graduate Faculty. The Graduate Program Director will tally the votes, which are otherwise kept in confidence. Once a majority of the Graduate Faculty has voted for approval, the documents will be forwarded to the Graduate School for final confirmation. Currently, the documents and the approval/objection ballot are distributed electronically.

Causes and Procedures for Removal from the Graduate Faculty

On occasion, it may prove necessary to remove a person from the Graduate Faculty. Apart from obvious reasons such as leaving the university, retirement, or death, a Graduate Faculty member may be removed for non-performance of Graduate Faculty duties or failure to maintain expected levels of scholarship/performance.

Failure to perform Graduate Faculty duties in the School of Music would principally mean consistently missing or refusing to serve upon oral exam, thesis, or recital committees.

It is expected that each member of the School of Music Graduate Faculty will maintain an active life as a researcher or performer. While definitions of “active” will vary, it certainly should be expected that a member of the Graduate Faculty would publish at least one significant article or give two significant performances (or participate in equivalent scholarly/creative activities) in the span of five years.

When it becomes necessary to revoke Graduate Faculty status, the procedure may be initiated either by the appropriate Division Chair or the Graduate Program Director in the School of Music. The two will consult with one another, and should they be in agreement, they will approach the faculty member involved, who may then provide documentation of activities that may not have been noted or justification for continued presence on the Graduate Faculty. If these explanations are deemed unacceptable by the Division Chair and Graduate Program Director, the latter will fill out the Graduate School’s “Removal from Graduate Faculty” form.

It should be noted that in certain cases it is unreasonable to expect that a Graduate Faculty member can maintain what is described above as the minimum expectation in scholarship/performance. An example is a voice teacher. Once singers reach a certain age, their physical instrument begins to decline to a point at which they can and should no longer perform. Yet, these people have a wealth of experience that can be invaluable to graduate students. In such cases, the Graduate Program Director and Division Chair may agree that the person should continue to serve on the Graduate Faculty despite the lack of scholarly/creative production.

Each Master of Music student must take a comprehensive oral examination in his or her final semester. The purpose of the comprehensive oral examination is to ensure that graduates can speak intelligently and articulately about many aspects of music, relate information from different areas of music, and demonstrate comprehensive knowledge about his or her major field of study.

For students whose degree programs require a thesis or a final research project, the oral exam will include, but will not be limited to, a defense of the thesis or project. All committee members will receive a copy of the document at least a week prior to the exam. The committee may request that revisions be made to the document before the final copy is submitted.

Preparation for the Exam

All students should be prepared to answer questions concerning musical repertoire, music history, music theory, and pedagogical and philosophical issues, particularly how these areas intersect with his/her area of specialization. In order to be successful in the exam, students should be able to demonstrate the following knowledge:

1. Basic facts of music history—period names and their dates, significant composers, major forms, important works, and more in-depth information about the period covered by their music history seminar
2. General music theory—melodic/rhythmic/chordal/structural analysis and contemporary analytical techniques
3. In-depth information about their major area—e.g., repertory, pedagogy, and technique for Performance and Conducting majors; philosophy, choral and vocal repertory, worship studies for Church Music majors; deeper knowledge of Musicology, Music Theory, or Composition, for majors in those areas. Conducting majors may also be asked to assess and/or identify scores.

Assessment

The exam is Pass/Fail. Exceptionally strong exams may be awarded the honor of Pass With Distinction.

If a candidate fails the oral examination, a second examination may be taken contingent upon the approval of the graduate committee, Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, and the Graduate School. No reexamination may be conducted until at least four months has elapsed. The student must be registered for at least one hour of graduate credit during the term that s/he retakes the exam and must reapply for graduation. After two failures, no further examination is permitted.

All candidates for a doctoral degree must pass a final oral examination. For Ph.D. students, this will include a defense of the dissertation; for D.M.A. students it will include a defense of the performance document. Additionally, the comprehensive oral examination assesses a student’s overall knowledge of and ability to speak intelligently and articulately about many aspects of music, particularly as it relates to his/her research area or performance specialty.

The final examination will not be administered until after all the student’s dissertation or degree recital and performance document requirements have been fulfilled.

Scheduling the Exam

The oral exam will not be administered until after all the student’s degree recitals and/or thesis have been completed. All incompletes must be removed and all deficiencies completed before an oral examination can be scheduled.

It is the student’s responsibility to find a time that the entire committee can meet for the oral exam and to inform the entire committee of the agreed-upon date and time, and inform the Administrative Associate to the School of Music Graduate Program of the date and time of the exam and the precise membership of the committee.The Administrative Associate will send an e-mail reminder with the date, location, and time.

A request to schedule an oral examination must be submitted by the student to the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and the Administrative Associate for the School of Music Graduate Program at least twelve working days prior to the requested date of the examination. The Associate Dean for Graduate Studies submits the official request to the Graduate School on behalf of the student at least ten working days prior to the date of the exam.

The student and committee members should allow an hour and a half for the exam: an hour and fifteen minutes for questioning and fifteen for discussion of the result. A student may not schedule the oral examination in such a way that he or she misses a regularly scheduled class.

If a professor cannot attend the exam after it has been scheduled due to his/her error (e.g., scheduling two exams at the same time), then the professor must find an appropriate substitute.

If the student does not consult and inform the entire committee of the agreed upon date and time of the oral exam, then the student must arrange for an appropriate substitute.

The Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and the Administrative Associate to the School of Music Graduate Program must be informed of any substitutions or changes in date or time. They will revise the official forms and alert the Graduate.