Graduate Information and Policies

1. Introduction and Mission Statement

The David L. Walters Department of Music at Jacksonville State University seeks to provide professional training and promote scholarship among students in the discipline of music. Course offerings lead to the Master of Arts in music with either a music education or general music concentration. Students choose between an instrumental or vocal/choral program of study and will engage in activities that nourish their broad and specific educational needs. With a flexible course schedule that provides evening and summer classes, the JSU Music Department makes a commitment to serve the regional educational community and helps foster and preserve a high level of musical instruction. A fully accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music, the music department offers graduate instruction by highly qualified faculty members with significant professional experience. Small classes and many opportunities for one-on-one instruction help create a comfortable and stimulating educational environment.

2. Departmental Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to graduate study in the David L. Walters Department of Music must first satisfy all admission requirements of the Graduate Studies, which are available online on the Graduate Studies website. The student must also submit the Graduate Application for Music Study and take the Graduate Music Placement Examination (consisting of Music History and Music Theory) before completing nine credit hours and being admitted to the program. Students admitted with conditions or on probation will be advised to strengthen their application status through self-study or by auditing undergraduate Music History and/or Music Theory courses. Admission decisions are made by the Graduate Committee and are based on educational records, GRE or MAT scores, the student's recent GPA, letters of recommendation, written expression of goals, and the results of the Graduate Music Placement Exam. Additionally, students must complete MU 5700 Research Methods or currently be enrolled in MU 5700 Research Methods when pursuing beyond nine credit hours.

Applicants for the Master of Arts degree with a major in music and a concentration in music education must possess an undergraduate music education degree and a valid state teacher certification. Applicants who do not currently hold a teaching certificate and who wish to attain teacher licensure may elect to pursue the Alternate Fifth Year Program (see Graduate Catalog). Applicants for the Master of Arts degree in general music must hold an undergraduate degree in music.

3. Individualized Course of Study, Research Method Requirement, Thesis Option

Before completion of the first semester in the master’s program, all entering students who have been formally admitted to the JSU Graduate Studies must schedule an advisement conference with the Graduate Music Advisor or the Music Department Head to prepare their Course of Study. At this advising session, the student and/or advisor should have available for reference copies of undergraduate and relevant graduate transcripts, together with transfer credit reports (as appropriate), as well as results of the Graduate Music Placement Examination. The resulting individualized Course of Study will address deficiencies (if any) and serve the student as a template in progress toward the degree. The graduate Course of Study will include 4-7 credit hours (occasionally more) of approved elective courses, addressing the student’s special interests or to remedy deficiencies as revealed by the placement examination.

The student must complete MU 5700 Research Methods before completion of nine credit hours. Currently, this course is only offered in the fall semesters, so it must be taken during the first fall semester.

A thesis option is available to candidates for the Master of Arts in General Music and Master of Arts in Music Education degrees. Students considering this option should read the section “Thesis Options and Procedures” found in the Graduate Catalog.

4. Candidacy, Comprehensive Final Examination, and Graduation

Students become degree candidates when they have completed twenty-six credit hours of coursework and submit the Application for Comprehensive Exam/Degree form, available in the office of the Graduate Studies. This form must be completed by October 1 for fall graduation, February 1st for spring graduation, and June 1st for summer graduation. The graduate student must also submit an Application for Candidacy, available at www.jsu.edu/music, to the David L. Walters Department of Music. This application will consist of the individualized Course of Study with completed courses indicated and remaining courses, thesis, recital, or other work to be completed. A graduate faculty committee will be formed at this time consisting of graduate professors within the JSU Music Department.

All graduate music candidates must complete a final comprehensive examination. This examination will cover all relevant portions of degree coursework and will be administered during the final semester of study by the candidate’s graduate faculty committee. The examination will be in one part: a written exam, an oral exam, or a capstone assessment. The examination could cover music theory, history and literature, pedagogy, and the area of the candidate’s concentration (music education, for example). An unsuccessful examination may be retaken only once.

5. Graduate Assistantships and How to Apply

Graduate assistantships in music are available on a competitive basis to qualified applicants. Terms of the award vary by area and extent of responsibilities but usually include a monthly stipend and graduate tuition remission. Applicants who wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship award are strongly encouraged to arrange an on-campus interview and audition. Since each area within the Department of Music has separate criteria for awarding assistantships, the student should contact the appropriate division head for details. Graduate teaching assistantships are currently awarded in the following areas: Jazz Studies (Dr. Andy Nevala, Director, 256/782-5883); University Bands (Dr. Jeremy Stovall, Director, 256/782-5175); and Choral Activities (Dr. Eliezer Yanson, Jr., Director, 256/782-5544), and other areas, as determined by the department head. Applications for assistantship awards are available at the Graduate Studies office (256/782-5348) and online on the Graduate Studies website. Although applications are accepted at any time, it is recommended that they be submitted by February 1st for an award beginning in the fall semester. Applications for admission to the Graduate Studies are also available at the same location and online.