2009-10 University Catalog

As noted in the Graduate School section, students should have completed undergraduate preparation equivalent to that expected for the bachelor's degree at this university. Normally this is a bachelor of music degree in the proposed area of concentration.

Before admission, composition majors should submit representative scores and recordings (CD format), and a list of completed compositions. Theory majors should submit a scholarly writing sample that demonstrates ability in critical analysis, appropriate research techniques, and skill in the cogent use of English. Performance majors must submit a repertoire list and arrange for an audition, or submit a non-returnable recording of their performance. Conducting majors must submit a videotape or DVD of their performance. Refer to "Graduate Auditions" above for further details.

The master of music (MM) degree, which the Graduate School considers a Plan II program, requires a minimum of 30-32 semester hours of graduate course work, including thesis projects. Many students find it necessary to exceed this minimum in order to meet the musical and academic standards demanded by the MM qualifying examination. Outlines of specific programs may be obtained from the office of the associate dean for graduate studies in the College of Music and online (www.colorado.edu/music/applying/gradapply/degrees.html).

Each student's program is directed by a three-member advisory committee headed by the major advisor (the student's major professor) or a designated substitute. A second member is chosen from the major area, and a third from outside the major area. (The major areas are music education, musicology, music theory, composition, and performance.) By the second semester of residence, the student should complete a tentative degree plan and obtain the approval of the advisory committee and the associate dean for graduate studies. Students must complete the master's degree within four years of matriculation into the program.

In addition to preliminary examinations, master's degree students in music must take the master's qualifying examination. The procedures, guidelines for registration, and deadlines for taking these examinations are announced by the Graduate Music Office.

The recital/thesis requirement for the MM in composition is the composition (during the period of graduate study) of several works of major proportion, at least one of which must receive public performance. For the major in conducting, the requirement is a public practicum and a performance-related or other scholarly document. For the major in music theory, it is two thesis papers. For the major in performance, preparation and performance of two public recitals constitute the requirement. For the major in performance and pedagogy, a full-length recital and a research document in pedagogy are required.

Applicants are expected to provide evidence of undergraduate preparation equivalent to that required for the bachelor of music education degree at this university. Applicants also must possess a music teaching certificate/license or agree to work toward a Colorado music teaching license. GRE scores are not required for admission, but can be helpful in determining merit-based financial aid. Individuals who wish to pursue music performance or conducting as their minor field must demonstrate at least senior-level proficiency on their particular medium, through an audition.

Students earning the MME degree must complete a minimum of 30 hours of course work, including 12 hours in music education, 12 hours in music, and 6 hours of electives in a specialization area or other areas of interest. Of the 12 hours in music, a two-hour course in bibliography and research is required as well as six hours of study in a minor area, which includes musicology, music theory, or performance (including conducting and jazz studies).

The music component of the degree should assist students in developing their musical knowledge and skills. One member of the student's graduate advisory committee should be from the minor area, and it is assumed that at least some part of the student's study is with that faculty member. All music studies must be at the 5000-level or above. Under special circumstances, up to 6 credit hours at the 4000-level may be applied to the open electives portion of the degree.

As a master of music education degree candidate, each student must produce a culminating paper that focuses on a topic of vital interest or importance. This paper may be developed as part of the requirements for a music education course or may take the form of a master's thesis. Culminating papers or theses are defended during final oral examinations.

Students typically complete the degree in two academic years, or one academic year plus two summers. Degree work must be completed within four years of the semester in which the student is accepted into a degree program and begins studies. Because most master's-level music education courses are offered in late afternoons, students who live within commuting distance can earn a significant portion of credit toward the degree while continuing to work full time.

Entrance requirements include a master's degree in music or demonstrated background comparable to that of the master of music degree at this university. All graduate applicants must complete an audition, interview, or some other demonstration of their ability in the major field. If at all possible, a visit to the campus is strongly encouraged. As part of the application, composition majors should submit representative scores and recordings (CD format), and a list of completed compositions. Performance majors should submit a repertoire list and arrange for a personal audition and interview, if at all possible. (Some areas require applicants to send a pre-audition screening recording of their performance.) Conducting majors must submit a DVD of their performance. All DMA applicants must also submit a scholarly writing sample that demonstrates ability in critical thinking, appropriate research techniques, and skill in the cogent use of English. Full details concerning audition and application requirements may be found online (www.colorado.edu/music/applying/gradapply/index.html).

The following program description supplements the requirements applying to all graduate students found in the Graduate School section and in the introductory section on Graduate Degree Programs in this College of Music section. Information on quality of work, credit by transfer, application for admission to candidacy, comprehensive examination, and final examination found under the PhD description is applicable to the DMA degree. DMA degree work must be completed within six years of first registration.

Advisory Committee. Each DMA program is directed by a five-member advisory committee headed by the major advisor, who is usually the student's main studio teacher. At least one member must hold the PhD degree.

Residence Requirements. The minimum residence requirement is six semesters of work beyond the attainment of an acceptable bachelor's degree. Two semesters of residence credit may be allowed for a master's degree from another institution of approved standing, but at least four semesters of residence credit, two of which must be consecutive in one academic year, must be earned for course work and/or dissertation work taken at this university.

Not more than one-half semester of residence credit may be earned in a summer session. Students must be registered full-time to earn residence credit. For employed students, only those with one-fourth time or less in work that does not contribute directly to their degree program may earn full residence credit.

Continuous Registration. After the residence requirements for the doctor of musical arts program have been satisfied, a student must enroll for fall and spring semesters of each year until attaining the degree. If a student has enrolled in all required dissertation courses but has still to complete the work, he or she should enroll in TMUS 8019 Precandidate for Doctor of Musical Arts Degree, or TMUS 8029 Candidate for Doctor of Musical Arts Degree, until the degree is completed.

Degree Plan. A degree plan approved by the advisory committee will be presented to the associate dean for graduate studies no later than the second semester of residence. The student's major professor is responsible for helping the student formulate this plan. The plan should include designated members of the student's doctoral committee, projected remedial and supporting course work, proposed dissertation projects, and tentative dates for the comprehensive and final examinations.

Language Requirement. Each DMA student must satisfy a foreign language requirement, and the one foreign language used to satisfy the requirement must be approved by the student's advisory committee. Additional language work is required for voice students. Advanced competence in music technology may be approved as an alternative to the foreign language requirement. Appropriate courses and projects are prescribed by the college's music technology faculty. International students whose native language is not English are exempt from the requirement.

Course Requirements. Students must take a minimum of 30 hours of course work, of which at least 18 hours are dissertation projects. Two doctoral topic classes, one each in musicology and music theory, are required; prerequisites are stipulated by the theory and musicology faculties. Some areas require specific course work prior to or in conjunction with work on dissertation projects. In other instances students may be advised to take course work in preparation for the comprehensive examination. Applied music instruction may be elected for the duration of the residency requirement.

Dissertation. The DMA dissertation consists of a specified number of performances, projects, and documents. The student's permanent advisory committee must approve all dissertation projects. Dissertation requirements for the various majors differ somewhat, and individual instances may require that the permanent advisory committee adjust dissertation requirements to the student's artistic and educational needs.

Students applying to the PhD program should have a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a music field related to their intended area of study. Applicants for the PhD with an emphasis in music education should hold an MME degree. Letters of recommendation, representative research papers, and satisfactory scores on the GRE (the general test) are required elements of the student's application for the degree. Upon entrance to the degree program, students must pass the preliminary examinations and begin working toward basic requirements.

Graduate credit of high quality taken at another institution may be accepted for transfer once a student has established a satisfactory record of residence at CU. Transfer credit is limited to 21 semester hours where a grade of B- or higher was received. All requests for credit transfer must be approved by the chair of the respective faculty unit, the associate dean for graduate studies in music, and other university officers as specified on the transfer credit application form. Transfer credit will not affect the residency or dissertation credit-hour requirement.

The minimum residence requirement for the PhD is 6 semesters of full-time study beyond the attainment of an acceptable bachelor's degree. Two semesters of residence credit may be allowed for a master's degree from another institution of approved standing. At least 4 semesters of residence credit, two of which must be consecutive in one academic year, must be earned for work taken at CU-Boulder.

A student must complete a total of at least 30 credit hours of dissertation credit (beyond course work), with not more than 10 of these hours in any one semester. Furthermore, not more than 10 hours of dissertation credit earned prior to a student's advancement to candidacy may be applied toward the required 30 credit hours. The dissertation itself should be an original and worthwhile contribution to knowledge in the field of musicology. It is expected that the student work closely with a major professor who will serve as the first reader and critic before it is submitted to the other dissertation committee members.

A minimum of 45 semester hours of courses numbered 5000-level or above (15 of which may be transferred from the master's degree) and a minimum of 30 hours of doctoral dissertation credit are required for the PhD degree.

A dissertation based on original investigation, demonstrating mature scholarship, must be completed by each candidate. Following the successful completion of the comprehensive examination, the student designates a dissertation committee, develops a dissertation prospectus, and presents it to the committee for approval. After the dissertation has been accepted, a final oral examination on the dissertation and related topics is conducted by the student's dissertation committee.