• Registration Adjustments: The School of Music will not approve registration adjustments (late adds, drops, changes of instructor, etc.) after the second week of classes, except in extenuating circumstances. Adjustments made after Registrar’s deadlines will incur late fees. Students must finalize their schedules within the first 10 days of classes to avoid negative impacts on their programs, credits, and grades.
• Time Overrides: Students may not register for classes with overlapping times. In exceptional cases where class times are concurrent (e.g., one class ends at 1:00 and another starts at 1:00), students may request a time override from the faculty involved. Overrides are not granted for convenience or to expedite graduation.

Attendance and grading policies are primarily determined by individual faculty members. Students should consult course syllabi, the appropriate catalog (Undergraduate or Graduate), and the semester Schedule of Classes on the Georgia State University website for details on attendance, grading, and academic honesty policies.

Attendance and grading policies are determined by individual faculty members within the School of Music. Students should refer to course syllabi, the relevant catalogs (Undergraduate or Graduate), and the semester Schedule of Classes on the Georgia State University Website for information on these policies, including academic honesty.

The School of Music strictly follows university policies on academic honesty, covering issues such as unauthorized cooperation on assignments, dishonesty during testing, and plagiarism.

The use of cell phones during music classes is strictly prohibited.

Incomplete Grades:

• A grade of “I” (Incomplete) is given only when most of the coursework has been completed and the student is unable to finish the rest due to non-academic reasons beyond their control (e.g., final report, applied jury). This grade must be converted to a letter grade within the next two semesters, or it will automatically become an “F.”
• Students must initiate an Incomplete form, which requires signatures from the student, instructor, and chair. Graduates should submit the form to the Graduate Director, Dr. Lara Dahl. Undergraduates should submit it to the Undergraduate Director, Prof. Devin Reid.

Withdrawal Policies:

• A grade of “W” (withdrawal) is possible only before the semester’s midpoint. Withdrawals after the midpoint will automatically result in a grade of “WF,” which counts as an “F” in the GPA.
• Students may drop classes during the first week using GOSOLAR; drops do not count against the allowed six “W”s for undergraduates.
• Failure to attend class or lessons in the first two weeks may result in being dropped by the instructor without prior notice, and the School of Music will not reinstate such students. Afterward, insufficient progress can lead to a “W” grade.

• Applied Music Lessons: Receiving an “F” or “WF” in applied music lessons for more than one semester in their principal performing medium becomes ineligible for further applied music study.
• Specific Courses: An “F” or “WF” in any of the following courses for more than one semester makes a student ineligible to enroll again:
  • Theory: MUS 1430, 1440, 1450, 1540, 1550, 2440, 2450, 2540, 2550
  • Class Piano: MUS 1710, 1720, 2710, 2720
  • Ensembles: MUS 1060-1090 (including 3000 and 7000 levels)
  • Music History and Literature: MUS 4800, 4810
• Grades: A “C-” is the lowest acceptable grade for most courses. Certain music education courses require a “B” to progress.

• Grades:
  • Graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. If the GPA falls below 3.0, the student will receive a scholastic warning and must raise the GPA to 3.0 within 18 hours of graded coursework or the next three consecutive terms. Failure to do so, or to meet specific academic performance standards, may result in termination from the degree program.
  • A “B-” is the lowest acceptable grade for graduate degree credit.

Full-Time Enrollment:

Students must enroll in at least 12 credit hours per semester to be considered full-time. Some students may take core courses in the summer to focus on music courses during fall and spring. Plan your course schedule carefully and check course availability and prerequisites, as the projected schedule is a guide, not a guarantee.

Qualifying Examinations for Admission to Concentration:

• Timing: Must be taken during the second semester of the sophomore year or equivalent.
• Music Education, Composition, or Music Technology: Includes an interview with faculty, possibly a performance demonstration, or a portfolio submission for composition students.
• Performance or Jazz Studies: Includes the Rising Junior Examination or the applied jury for the second semester of the sophomore year (or the fourth semester of study).

Proficiencies in Keyboard, Guitar, and Voice:

• Keyboard Proficiency: All undergraduate music majors must demonstrate proficiency through piano classes. Students whose principal instrument is piano or organ should complete MUS 4360, Advanced Keyboard Skills, and consult with piano faculty.
• Voice and Guitar: Music education students must demonstrate proficiency in voice and guitar at least two semesters before student teaching. Consult with your faculty advisor for specific requirements.

Full-Time Enrollment:

Students must enroll in at least 9 semester hours. Half-time status requires a minimum of 4.5 semester hours. International students with F or J visas must meet the full-time requirement defined by the Department of Homeland Security.

Consequences of Not Maintaining Full-Time Enrollment:

• Loss of insurance coverage under a parent/guardian’s policy.
• Non-compliance with Department of Homeland Security regulations for student visas.
• Possible loan repayment schedule for federal financial aid recipients.
• Loss of scholarships requiring full-time enrollment.

Continuous Enrollment for Graduate Students

• Requirement: Must be enrolled in at least 6 credits over any three consecutive semesters (including summer). The total enrollment for the current term plus the two preceding terms must be at least 6 hours.
• Compliance Check: Enrollment status is reviewed mid-term. Students not meeting this requirement will be placed on inactive status, with pre-registrations canceled. Students will be notified via Georgia State email.
• Re-entry: Inactive students must reapply by the deadline and meet the continuous enrollment requirement to resume their program. The maximum enrollment for the re-entry term is 6 hours.

Completion-Term Enrollment Requirement:

• Students must be enrolled in the term they complete their degree requirements. If requirements are completed after the graduation deadline but before the next term begins, enrollment in the subsequent term is not required. If continuous enrollment is not met in the completion term, it must be met in the term of graduation. Students with 6 or more hours in the two preceding terms can register for 1 hour in the completion term, unless otherwise specified by their department.

All students must apply for graduation to be cleared for their degree. Check the GSU website under “Current Students/Registrar” for deadlines and procedures, which are generally early in the semester before your planned graduation semester. Failure to apply by the deadline may delay graduation. For more information, visit: GSU Graduation Information.

Comprehensive Examination

The Comprehensive Exam assesses knowledge in music history, literature, analysis, performance, pedagogy, and technical issues. It consists of written and/or oral exams and may include a portfolio, depending on the degree program.

1. Performance/Pedagogy/Jazz Studies/Composition Degrees

• Committee Formation: Assemble your committee at least 6 weeks before the exam. Each committee member will provide questions 4 weeks prior.
• Deadlines: Exams must be completed by October 31 (Fall) or March 31 (Spring). Written exams should be completed by October 15 (Fall) or March 15 (Spring). Summer exams are not allowed; complete exams by April 30 for Summer graduation. Follow-up exams must be completed within 2 weeks.
• Requirements: Submit a list of repertoire and coursework to committee members. For Major Area exams, consult portfolio requirements.

2. Foundation Studies Requirements

• Faculty Assignment: Faculty will be assigned an equal portion of comprehensive exam requests. You must request faculty exam members (one from theory and one from history) for your committee.
• Completion: Ensure all portions are completed and approved signatures collected from your major area, history, and theory faculty. Submit the final comprehensive exam form to the Graduate Director.

3. Exam Format

• Exams can be oral, written, or a combination. Written exams may be followed by oral exams if necessary. Prepare to answer fluently and persuasively, without notes (except annotated scores for analysis). Written essays should be scholarly and well-cited. Supplemental exams may be required for unsatisfactory responses. If a follow-up exam is needed, it must be completed within two (2) weeks of the original exam. 

Music Education Comprehensive Exam

• Committee: Comprise at least 3 faculty members, with at least one from Foundation Studies.
• Deadlines: Same as above—oral exams by October 31 (Fall) or March 31 (Spring), written exams by October 15 (Fall) or March 15 (Spring). Summer exams by April 30.
• Questions: Include research/history/literature, performance/pedagogy/technique, and music analysis. Present a cumulative paper and portfolio, following the Music Education department’s guidelines.
• Procedures: Oral exams require fluency and mastery of material; no notes allowed except an annotated score for analysis questions. Written exams should be scholarly with proper citations.
• Evaluation: Each exam category is marked as Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. If a response is Unsatisfactory, a supplemental exam can be taken. If the supplemental exam is also Unsatisfactory, the entire exam fails. Follow-up exams must be completed within two weeks, and the signed Comprehensive Exam form should be submitted to the Graduate Director and Administrative Graduate Coordinator.

Artist Certificate Recital and Portfolio

• Submit a professional portfolio to your primary instructor or Area Coordinator during your final semester. Follow the portfolio requirements.

• Request Process: To request transfer credits, complete the Undergraduate Transfer Credit Request Form linked below. Credits will be reviewed for applicability, but substitutions are not guaranteed.
• Review Process: The Undergraduate Director reviews transfer credit requests. Students must submit syllabi for each course to check if it matches the learning outcomes of our courses. If approved, the credit will count toward degree requirements.
• Exams and Proficiency: Transfer credits for music theory or aural skills are not accepted. Instead, students must take the transfer music theory/aural skills exam. Group piano course credits are also not accepted; students must pass a piano proficiency exam.

• Limits: Up to 6 semester hours of approved graduate credit from other institutions may be transferred toward a master’s degree. Up to 30 semester hours may be transferred toward a doctoral degree.
• Approval: Transfer credit must be approved by the end of the second semester in Full Graduate Status. The acceptance is not automatic and requires documentation and approval from the Director of Graduate Studies and the College. Transferred credits are subject to the time limitations on credits applicable to graduate degrees.