Diagnostic Exams
All entering doctoral students are required to take a Diagnostic Entrance Examination consisting of three parts: music theory, music history and literature, and expository writing.
The purposes of this examination are:
(1) to determine if the student has foundation-level deficiencies that need to be addressed in order for him/her to be successful in doctoral level courses, on the qualifying examinations, and on the comprehensive examinations;
(2) to provide information that will guide the student and his/her advisor in selecting useful and appropriate academic courses.
Diagnostic Entrance Examinations are administered on campus each Friday preceding the first day of classes in fall, spring, and summer.
9:00 a.m. New Graduate Student Orientation
9:30 a.m. Theory Diagnostic Examination
10:30 a.m. Music History and Literature Diagnostic Examination
1-5 p.m. Advisement/Course Registration/Fee Payment
Those who do not pass the diagnostic examination in one or both of these areas must:
1) Enroll in the appropriate course(s) (i.e., MUS 620: Graduate Theory Review and/or MUS 630: Graduate History Review) during the first semester of full-time study and earn a grade of “B” or better in that/those courses. Students who are pursuing graduate study part-time must complete the appropriate review course(s) before completing 12 credit hours. Appropriate undergraduate theory courses may be additional prerequisites to further study in graduate music theory.
2) Hours gained in these courses (MUS 620 and 630 and undergraduate courses) cannot be counted toward a doctoral degree. Both courses, MUS 620 and 630, must be passed during one’s first semester of matriculation. Part-time students must complete both courses before nine (9) semester hours are completed.
3) Students who do now pass the expository writing section of the Diagnostic Examination may be advised to take an appropriate writing course in the English department and will be required to take MUS 500 (“Writing about Music”), even if it is not one of their degree requirements.
4) Students with deficiencies may be required to take additional course work beyond the minimum required in the degree program.
Can the diagnostic exams be given by a proctor?
These examinations are also administered through the mail. To make the testing process feasible, a proctor, preferably a teacher in a nearby college or university, may administer the examination. Submit the name and address of the proctor to the Coordinator of Graduate Studies.
Qualifying Exams
All students complete a Qualifying Examination consisting of three written components (music theory, music history, and the student’s major area) and an interview with the student’s advisory committee. This examination must be completed during the student’s second semester of full-time doctoral study. Part-time students must complete this examination at the end of the third semester of enrollment.
The purpose of the Qualifying Examination is to determine if, after a year of doctoral course work (which may include review courses) and of independent study, the student is academically qualified to proceed with doctoral study. The exam will also guide the Advisory Committee in planning the student’s program. The interview will occur after the written portions of the examination are completed and may include questions about the written portions of the exam, about material not covered on the written portions, and about the student’s background and future plans.
The emphasis area portion of the Qualifying Examination (e.g., music education, conducting, music performance, etc.) will be graded by those members of the student’s committee representing the emphasis area. The music theory and history portions will be graded by theory and history faculty, respectively.
A scale of 1 to 5 will be used in grading Qualifying Examinations, with grades 1-2 indicating a failure and grades 3-5 indicating passing. A student who fails any part of the Qualifying Examination may, with the permission of his or her committee, repeat it. However, any course work (in the area of the exam which the student failed) enrolled in after that initial failure and before the Qualifying Examination is passed in its entirety will be considered to be remedial and will not count as doctoral course work. For example, if a student should fail all sections of the Qualifying Examination in November, the courses taken during the fall semester will count toward the degree. However, courses taken during the following spring semester would not, even if the student passes the Qualifying Examination before the end of that spring semester (i.e., in April).
As well, if a student should fail one portion (e.g., theory) of the Qualifying Examination in November, the courses taken in said area during the fall will count toward the degree. However, courses in said area taken during the following spring semester would not, even if the student passes the Qualifying Examination in that area before the end of that spring semester (i.e., in April). After an initial failure (in whole or part), if permission for a retake is granted, the Qualifying Examination must be retaken at the end of the next regular semester of full-time enrollment, but not later than two semesters after the failure (including the summer semester).
The Qualifying Examination consists of three parts:
(1) Area of specialization
(2) Music history
(3) Music theory
Dates:
Fall: The first full week in November
Spring: The first full week in April
Summer: Three successive Saturdays following the Fourth of July holiday
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 at least two months in advance by calling 601.266.5543.
How are the exams graded?
Each part of the examination is graded by the appropriate faculty, and the results are reported to the Graduate Coordinator. Results of the individual parts of the Qualifying Examination will be reported to the Graduate Coordinator in one of three ways:
- 1. Student shows no deficiencies.
- 2. Student shows deficiencies, which are noted along with appropriate means to remove these deficiencies.
- 3. Qualifying Examination is judged unacceptable for one or both of the following reasons:
A. Student has inadequate knowledge of the subject.
B. Student cannot write and/or spell adequately.
What happens if there are deficiencies on the Qualifying Exam?
- 1. Those who grade the examinations will make recommendations regarding the courses to be taken by the doctoral candidate.
- 2. Students with deficiencies may be required to take additional course work beyond the minimum required in the degree program.
- 3. Students with deficiencies may be required to take undergraduate courses for which no credit toward the doctorate will be gained.
- 4. Doctoral students should consult their major professor and the Coordinator of Graduate Studies regarding Qualifying Examination policies beyond those listed in the Bulletin. See School of Music Qualifying Examination Requirements and Policies available from the Academic Advising Office, Fine Arts Building.
When a student performs unacceptably on one part of the Qualifying Examination:
- 1.The student’s major professor and committee must meet with the appropriate faculty to determine whether the student may continue in the program.
- 2. If the student is to continue, the recommendations of the area faculty regarding course work must be discussed and determined by the student’s Advisory Committee and appropriate area faculty.
When the student performs unacceptably on two parts of the Qualifying Examination:
- 1. He/she may not register for any more hours of course work leading to a doctor’s degree.
- 2. In order to continue in the program the student must retake the two parts, which were unacceptable.
- 3. If either part is judged unacceptable a second time, the student cannot continue in the doctoral program in music.
Deviations from the above qualifying examination policy must be approved, in writing, after a meeting by both the Advisory Committee and the appropriate faculty graders. Students are notified of the results, in writing, before the end of the semester.
Comprehensive Exams
At the completion of all course work and examinations, the doctoral student is required to take a written Comprehensive Examination in the student’s area of specialization, Music Theory, and Music History. The Comprehensive Examination consists of three parts:
(1) Area of specialization
(2) Music history
(3) Music theory
Doctoral students should consult their major professor and the Coordinator of Graduate Studies regarding Comprehensive Examination policies beyond those listed in the Bulletin. See School of Music Comprehensive Examination Requirements and Policies available from the Academic Advising Office, Fine Arts Building.
When is the Comprehensive Exam administered?
This examination is offered each semester at the same time as the qualifying examination.
Dates:
Fall - the first full week in November
Spring - the first full week in April
Summer - three successive Saturdays following the Fourth of July holiday.
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 (minimum) prior to taking the exam by calling 601.266.5543.
How is the test prepared and graded?
The examination in the student’s area of specialization will be prepared and graded by the student’s committee members from that area. The examinations in music theory and history will be prepared and graded by the appropriate area faculty. The candidate’s committee members representing music history and theory will deliver the recommendation of each of those areas to the full committee. The full committee will meet to discuss the examination and recommend a grade of “pass” or “fail” for each area (specialization, music theory, music history). This meeting will be held during (or before) the week of final examinations for the fall and spring semesters. In those instances where the Comprehensive Examination is taken during the summer semester, this
meeting will be held within the first three weeks of the fall semester.
Results:
The Academic Adviser 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 for presenting signed dissertations to the Graduate Office).
What happens if the comprehensive exam is unsatisfactory?
When it is determined that the Comprehensive Examination is unsatisfactory, in whole or in part:
1) The student will be granted a second examination.
2) The test must be repeated within one year of the first Comprehensive Examination, but the student will be required to repeat only those sections of the examination judged unsatisfactory.
3) In those instances where a second examination is expected, the appropriate area faculty will inform the student, in writing, as to the specific or general areas which will be tested. The appropriate area faculty will grade the second test.
What happens with the second exam?
The Comprehensive Examination can be retaken once.
1) All parts failed must be repeated simultaneously.
2) If the second examination is judged unsatisfactory by the Advisory Committee, in whole or in part, the student cannot earn a doctoral degree in Music or Music Education at The University of Southern Mississippi.
Dissertation
1. The dissertation topic must be approved by the student’s major professor and Advisory Committee and must be an original and significant contribution to knowledge in the chosen field. The Human Subjects Protection Review Committee must also approve the topic.
2. Once a topic has been approved, the student must enroll in MUS 797, MED 797, MUS 898, or MED 898 in each semester/term until the degree is completed.
3. A separate bulletin outlining University requirements concerning the preparation of dissertations is available in the Graduate Office, McCain Library room 205, (601) 266-4369.
4. Additionally, instructions specific to the development of an approved topic in Music or Music Education must be followed. See required pamphlet, “Prospectus Guide for the Doctor of Music Arts Degree,” available from the School of Music.