A written comprehensive examination is required of all master's candidates in the final semester of study. Students should contact the Program Advisor and/or Graduate Coordinator for specific information concerning the format of this examination in their field of study.
The comprehensive exams are administered on two consecutive days. Day 1 consists of questions related to the individual core classes (Music Theory, Music History, Music Education) taken during the degree and lasts three hours. Day 2 consists of questions related to the specific field/instrument of study (literature, pedagogy, and performance courses) and lasts three hours.
All comprehensive exams will occur on Wednesday (Day 1) and Thursday (Day 2) after Spring Break in the spring semester or equivalent times during the fall semester. There will be two sessions available both days, 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm. Make plans to be available both of these days to take the exams.
The oral portion of the exams occurs one-week after the written comprehensive exam, on the second Thursday after Spring Break in the spring semester or equivalent day in the fall semester. The Graduate Coordinator will provide copies of written exams to the committee immediately after the completion of the written exams. The oral exam will include all three members of the comprehensive exam committee and include questions pertaining to, but not limited to, the answers from the written exam. Students should be prepared to discuss topics, and answer questions, related to their core classes and primary field of study. The oral exam lasts approximately one-hour.
The committee will complete the Comprehensive Exam Scoring Rubric and submit completed forms tothe Graduate Coordinator. The Graduate Coordinator will complete the evaluation section of the comprehensive exams form, collect the signatures of the other committee members, and submit it to the Graduate School. In some instances, a student may be required to submit additional work or retake the examination. Any additional work required from the student should be noted in the form. There is a limit of one retake for any portion of the comprehensive exam.
* Students may request a different date of the Comprehensive Exam and/or Oral Exam for extenuating circumstances only. Approval may be granted to students who are participating and involved at a significant conference and/or major performance where the dates coincide with the comprehensive exam and/or oral exams. A written request must be sent to the Graduate Coordinator, Program Advisor and Head of the School of Music during the semester prior of the semester of the scheduled exam. Provide all necessaryinformation of the extenuating situation to be considered for an exception. If an exception is granted, students will take the exam portions prior to the posted dates.
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