8. Lead Times and Sequences (Recitals, Theses, Exams, Graduation)
8.1 Graduate Recitals
Graduate recitals will consist of repertoire learned or composed while the student is in residence for the degree. For master’s degrees, the recital may be given at any time after the completion of two hours of the applied music major. For the D.M.A., the first recital is given near the midpoint of the student’s doctoral study. The student must be enrolled for applied music during the term in which a recital is given. The content of each recital must be approved by the student’s graduate committee. Submit the program to the applied teacher, then to each member of the committee, and finally to the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. The literature and times must be approved in writing by the student’s graduate committee and the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. The Associate Dean for Graduate Studies will not approve the recital unless all committee members have approved the program draft. If any committee member requests that the program be modified or completely changed, they will make such request in writing; the request will be placed in the student’s file.
The program must be approved and signed at least seventeen (17) days prior to the recital (for more details about recital procedures, see section 9 below).
8.2 Thesis
After consultation with the major professor, students in thesis degree programs will present their prospectus to the graduate committee by the end of the second semester of study. The prospectus should contain (a) a statement of the thesis, (b) an outline of the paper, and (c) a bibliography (for more details concerning the prospectus and what it should include, see Appendix L). Upon approval of the prospectus by the committee the student may register for thesis and proceed with the proposed project. Students will not be allowed to register for thesis until their prospectus has been approved. The membership of the student’s graduate committee should reflect the area/topic of the thesis.
8.3 Application for Graduation
Graduating students must file for graduation with the Graduate School at the beginning of their last semester or term of study. For specific dates see the Academic Calendar for Music Graduate Students or visit the Graduate School website.
8.4 Scheduling and Administration of the Oral Examination
The student’s graduate committee plus a graduate faculty member from outside the School of Music will administer the examination.
(See 7.10 or 7.11 above, as appropriate, for general information about oral examinations.)
(See 7.6, 7.7, or 7.8 for relevant committee membership.)
The oral exam will not be administered until after all the student’s degree recital(s) 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 Graduate Academic Advisor of the date and time of the exam and the precise membership of the committee. The Graduate Academic Advisor 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 Graduate Academic Advisor at least twelve working days prior to the requested date of the examination. The Office of 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 against a regularly scheduled class.
If a professor cannot attend the exam after it has been scheduled due to their 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 Graduate Academic Advisor must be informed of any substitutions or changes in date or time. They will revise the official forms and alert the Graduate School.
For all dates related to the oral examination see the Academic Calendar for Music Graduate Students.