Admission Requirements
Acceptance into the master’s degree programs of the School of Music requires expectations beyond those in the Graduate Bulletin. Admission to graduate study does not imply admission to candidacy for a master’s degree. A maximum of nine (9) hours of graduate work earned before one has gained admission to the School of Music can be applied toward a master’s degree. Members of all underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Students seeking regular admission to master’s level programs at The University of Southern Mississippi must:
- Hold a music degree or minor in the undergraduate degree.
- Have a “B” average or better in music courses in the undergraduate degree.
- Have a grade point average of at least 2.75 (A = 4.0) on the last two years of undergraduate study.
- A sample of formal, academic writing to include citations. A paper from a previous music education, history, or literature course will suffice; there is no need to write a new paper. All work must be the applicant’s original work; submitting someone else’s paper or anything generated by AI, ChatGPT, etc., will not be accepted.
- Submit at least three strong letters of recommendation and/or undergo a successful personal interview.
- Statement of Purpose
Students who are unable to meet regular admission standards may be considered for conditional admission. For details concerning conditional admission, see Admission Requirements and Procedures.
Please note: The Graduate Record Examination is required for both conditional and regular admission. Students who are admitted conditionally must go through an interview process with area faculty.
Program Requirements and Academic Policies
Diagnostic Examinations
With the exception of the online Master of Music Education degree, all entering master’s students for the Master of Music Education (MME) are required to take a Diagnostic Entrance Examination in music theory and in music history & literature. The purposes of this examination are 1) to determine whether the student has foundation-level deficiencies that need to be addressed in order for her/him to be successful in graduate courses and on the comprehensive examination; and 2) to provide information that will guide the student and his/her advisor in selecting useful and appropriate academic courses.
Diagnostic Examinations are administered on campus in fall, spring, and summer each Thursday and/or Friday preceding the first day of classes or as announced by the Coordinator of Graduate Studies. Newly admitted students should always see the Coordinator for the most up-to-date information.
Students who do not pass the history diagnostic exam must enroll in MUS 630. Students who do not pass the theory diagnostic exam must enroll in MUS 620. MUS 620 and MUS 630 must be taken in the first two semesters of graduate work. Exceptions to this requirement may be granted for the summer semester only and will be considered on an individual basis. Undergraduate music theory and/or history courses may be required as prerequisites to further study in graduate music theory or history. Students who do not pass the music theory review, or the history review (or required undergraduate courses) will not be allowed to enroll in further study in music history or music theory unless the grade of “B-” or better is earned in the required prerequisite course(s). MUS 620 and MUS 630 are required courses for the MME Online track.
NOTE: Only the MME (Online) students may enroll in MUS 620X and MUS 630X for graduate credit. Resident students must enroll in MUS 620 and MUS 630.
Advisory committee
By the end of the first term (semester) of full-time residence, the student and the major professor select those faculty who will serve as the student’s Advisory Committee. Master’s committees must include three members: 1) the major professor, 2) another professor from the major area, 3) a representative from Music Theory or Music History. Changes to this formula must be pre-approved in writing by the School of Music Director. These faculty members will help the student plan his/her program of study, attend and grade his/her recital, and prepare and grade his/her comprehensive exam.
Special Problems Courses (MUS 692, 792, MED 692, 792)
Students cannot enroll in special problems courses without appropriate approval. Petitions requesting permission to enroll are available on the School of Music website at https://www.usm.edu/music/forms-0
Petitions must be submitted to the Coordinator of Graduate Studies by the end of SOAR open registration. Special Problems courses demand a minimum of 45 hours work for each hour of credit earned. It is expected that the result of any problem undertaken be available for faculty examination; copies of term papers, examinations, or compositions must be turned in to the Coordinator for this purpose.
Comprehensive Exam
A written comprehensive exam is required. The test will be prepared and graded by the student’s Graduate Advisory Committee; it will cover the area of the major field. Master’s comprehensive exams dates will be posted by the Coordinator of Graduate Studies in the summer of the ensuing Academic Year. Announcements are made approximately two (2) months prior to the exams. The dates will be in October (fall dates may vary), April, and July. The exact dates of the examinations are determined by the Coordinator of Graduate Studies and are publicized as soon as the University’s Academic Calendar is available.
Students must register for the exam two months in advance with the Coordinator of Graduate Studies. The Coordinator of Graduate Studies must receive the results of the comprehensive examination in time to notify the University Registrar and the Graduate Office (i.e., no later than the last day of general exams for presenting signed theses to the Graduate Office).
A student who fails the Comprehensive Examination may repeat the exam once; the test must be repeated within one year of the first comprehensive examination.
The University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools of Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Additionally, the online Music Education degree is also accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). That means you can expect a program with the highest standards and quality.
