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:
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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.