Current Graduate Students

Assistantships

Assistantships provide cash stipends and may include tuition assessment at resident rates for graduate level course work. Students awarded a Graduate Teaching Assistantship may qualify for up to 100% waiver of their graduate tuition.

The actual dollar amount of an assistantship varies according to the type and length of the appointment, the number of hours worked each week, and the funding base within each program area. At Wichita State University, assistantships for twenty hours of work per week, for a semester appointment range from $2900 - $3956.

Responsibilities of Assistantships

According to WSU:

• Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) directs instruction or assists with instruction
• Graduate Staff Assistant (GSA) assists university service and academic units in either non-teaching or non-research activities

Within the school of music, these duties might include teaching lessons, class, grading, administrative duties, and performing in university ensembles.

Appointment as a GTA requires non-native speakers of English to either

• achieve a score of 23 or higher on the speaking portion of the internet-based TOEFL, or
• achieve a score of 7.0 or higher on the speaking portion of the IELTS exam.

Scores must be less than two years old. Currently, completion of Intensive English levels cannot be used to demonstrate the spoken English proficiency required to hold a GTA position. While the Duolingo English Test can be used for graduate admissions, it cannot be used to demonstrate proficiency for teaching duties.

To apply for an assistantship, contact the respective studio teacher or assistantship supervisor to inquire about information and opportunities. Certain assistantships require specific audition materials and excerpts.

Class Enrollment

You will work individually with your advisor to create a plan of study. Discuss this with your advisor early in your program, and it will save you a lot of trouble down the road. You should plan to complete this about 12 credits into your degree. For most students on two-year (four-semester) plans, this will be during your second semester or near the beginning of your third semester.

Master of Music Course Plan

There are four courses that are required of all Master of Music degrees: a foundational course in musicology and music theory, plus two special topics classes in musicology/theory (any combination). It is important that you plan to take one of these each semester, as the schedule usually makes it difficult to take two at the same time. In most cases, certain courses are only offered in the Fall semesters and others only in the Spring. Here is one possible enrollment schedule. This is is just an example, and variations are possible (like switching MUSC 852 and 830), but it's a very useful starting point that can can serve most M.M. Performance students.

Additional requirements include credit hours specific to a student’s given concentration (including applied lessons, large ensembles, and chamber ensembles), as well as elective credit hours. Enrollment in these courses should be decided upon through consultation with your advisor.

Example Master of Music Education Course Plan

MME programs range from 32 to 36 hours. Core requirements (15 cr. total) and terminal project options (outlined below, 2-6 cr. total) are the same for each emphasis area, unless specifically noted.

• MUSC 830 Seminar in Music Theory (3 cr.) - offered Fall semesters
• One of the following, offered in alternating Spring semesters:
  • MUSC 891 Seminar in Music History pre-1750 (3 cr.)
  • MUSC 892 Seminar in Music History post 1750 (3 cr.)
• MUSC 853 Research Design and Methods (3 cr.)
• MUSE 855 Psychology of Music (3 cr.)
• MUSE 871 History and Philosophy of Music Education (3 cr.)

Terminal Project Options in Master of Music Education

Select one of the following for your terminal project. 

• MUSP 873 Graduate Recital 1 (not a terminal project option for the Special Education concentration)
• MUSE 844 Terminal Conducting Project (required terminal project for the Instrumental Conducting concentration)
• MUSE 875 Thesis Research and MUSE 876 Thesis
• MUSE 854 Terminal Project in Music Education
• Extra Credit Hours (6 cr.), to be selected in consultation with the advisor and approved by the area director. This excludes applied lessons, ensembles, workshops, and special project hours. Summer Kodály courses can be used for Extra Credit Hours.

Additional requirements include Field Study credit hours specific to a student's given concentration, as well as elective credit hours. Enrollment in these should be decided upon thorugh cosultation with the student's advisor.

Professional & Scholarly Integrity Training (PSIT)

All music graduate students must prove completion of the School of Music PSIT training program . This is a free online course . Proof of successful PSIT completion must be sent to the Music Graduate Coordinator before the Plan of Study (below) can be submitted, so complete this training as soon as possible!

• Follow the instructions provided by the graduate school.
• Create an account using your myWSU ID as your username (for example A123B456).
  • from the Main Menu, choose Add a course or Update Learner Groups
  • from question 2, choose Graduate Student Basic RCR Course
  • from question 6, answer No
  • from question 7, answer Not at this time
  • from question 10, answer No
• Complete the following modules:
  • Authorship (RCR-Basic)
  • Conflict of Interest (RCR-Basic)
  • Data Management (RCR-Basic)
  • Research Misconduct (RCR-Basic)
• Score results should be sent to the Graduate Coordinator.

Plan of Study Form

The Plan of Study form should be submitted by the end of the second semester of study. (Note that this changed after the video below was recorded.)

1. Download the form. Do not print it. Complete and sign it entirely digitally!
2. Find the appropriate degree, concentration, and completion codes for your major and curriculum choices and enter them at the top of page one.
3. Ignore the “Committee” section on the first page.
4. Do not list any credits beyond what are required for your degree. Some courses (especially ensembles) might be required as a condition of an assistantship or at the encouragement of a professor. Those are great(!), but this form is only for the credits you need to graduate. Refer to the Course Catalog to see what those credits are. Select your concentration and click the Requirements tab at the top.
   • Master of Music Education
   • Master of Music
   • Master of Music in Musicology or Composition
5. For repeated courses like ensembles or lessons, list each one separately.
6. Be sure to sign your form, get your advisor’s signature, and email it to the Graduate Coordinator (who will then submit it to the Graduate School).

Remember: It’s easy to change your Plan of Study if—as is sometimes the case—plans change.

Final Projects and Graduation

Deadlines

For specific dates and details, refer to the Graduate School

Exceptions

Departures from the rules and regulations stated in the Graduate Catalog require the filing and approval of a Request for Exception to Graduate School Regulations form. Such requests must have the approvals indicated on the form and must state in a logical and coherent manner a rational basis for the requested exception.

• You can submit an exception request for any issue/reason. It may not be approved, but it will be reviewed.
• Common reasons include:
  • missed deadline (late add/drop of a course)
  • substitute one course for a required course
  • financial (refund, etc.)

Application for Degree

We love you. We’re glad you’re here. Also, we want you to graduate and get out of here! During your final semester, you need to submit an Application for Degree, with an Exit Survey and a filing fee. This is due by the 20th day of classes in Fall and Spring, and by the 10th day of classes during the Summer term. If you miss this deadline, you will need to wait another semester to graduate, even if you have completed all your other requirements!!

Find your application online by going to myWSU → My Classes → Graduation Links. (If you’re reading this, congratulations on getting this far! 🎉)

Oral Exams

All students take an oral exam during their final semester except students who are writing a thesis (MM Composition and MME students using the thesis option).

• Oral exams cannot take place until a student’s Application for Degree has been submitted.
• Do not use the “Request to Schedule Oral Defense” form.
• Your graduate oral exam panel consists of three faculty:
  • chair (student’s advisor)
  • a musicology or theory area professor (assigned randomly)
  • third member decided by the student and their advisor
• Oral Exams should be scheduled for two hours, though they may conclude early. It is the student’s responsibility for scheduling their exam in consultation with their entire committee. Start on this process early! It’s a busy time of year, and finding two hours that four busy people can get together can be tricky.
• Upon finding a suitable time, the student should then work with their committee and Anne Marie Brown (annemarie.brown@wichita.edu) to schedule room for the exam.
• The committee chair (student’s advisor) should print the Recommendation for Degree form and bring it to the exam.
• The committee chair is responsible for submitting the completed form to the Graduate School.
• Students are allowed to attempt the oral exam a up to three times.

Masters Thesis (for MM Composition and MME students using the thesis option only)

• Thesis projects should follow University protocols.
• Review the WSU Thesis and Dissertation Preparation Guide for formatting reference. (For original music compositions, most of these guidelines do not apply.)
• Once completed, students should hold an defense of their thesis. Complete the Request to Schedule Oral Defense form and submit the final draft to the three members of your committee at least two weeks in advance of the oral examination date.
• Oral Defense committees must consist of three members, two of which should be decided on by the student and their advisor.
  • chair (student’s advisor)
  • another faculty member in the School of Music
  • one faculty member outside the School of Music

Graduate Recital Checklist

• Have your applied teacher email David MacDonald, Music Graduate Coordinator (david.macdonald@wichita.edu) granting permission to enroll in the appropriate degree recital. Performance Facilities will be provided a list of students enrolled for degree recitals. Students not showing enrollment in the appropriate degree recital will not be allowed to schedule a recital.
• Confirm with your applied teacher possible dates for your recital and discuss committee members.
• Please confirm with your accompanist the date and time scheduled for your recital will work for them, and then have them initial the form.
• Meet with Performance Facilities to schedule a recital date and dress rehearsal. The Performance Facilities Business Office is located in DFAC, Room C131 and scheduling will be available on Tuesday and Friday's from 10:00 am-1:00 pm. Complete this fillable Student Degree Recital Scheduling Worksheet and then print it and take it to your meeting.
  
  • Junior and Senior degree recital times are every Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30–2:30pm in Wiedemann Recital Hall or Miller Concert Hall and Friday from 1:30–2:20pm in Miller Concert Hall. A Graduate degree recital may be scheduled outside of these designated times based upon hall availability and as long as it is within the policies of the School of Music. The School of Music will pay the labor and facility costs of the degree recital.
• Students are allowed up to four (4) hours of rehearsal time, if the hall is available. It is suggested that the rehearsals be split into two hour blocks of time if all four hours requested.
  • Only one rehearsal designated as a dress rehearsal will be staffed by stage personnel.
  • Any other rehearsals will require your faculty sponsor to check out a key from Performance Facilities and be present during these rehearsals.
• Complete Technical Worksheet in full, which you will receive when scheduling your recital.
  • This form must be returned to Performance Facilities no later than two (2) weeks prior to your dress reheasral. 
  • Failure to return this form by due date could put your recital at risk of being cancelled.
  • You may elect to have your recital Live Streamed to the School of Music Facebook page and/or audio recorded.  You are responsible for payment of the recording charge of $110.00 plus tax, which ds due to Performance Facilities one week prior to the recital.
• If you must reschedule your recital, you may do so one time without incurring an Administrative Fee of $50.00. Subsequently, the $50.00 fee will be assessed for each schedule change. This fee is payable by the student, prior to the final recital date. This fee will not be assessed for dress rehearsals, but rescheduling rehearsals is strongly discouraged.
• Performance Facilities must be advised of a recital cancellation no later than one week prior to the scheduled dress rehearsal. Failure to do so will result in a Cancellation Fee of $75.00 billed directly to the student.
• Students are responsible for preparing and printing their own programs! Please have them to the Music office five days before the dress rehearsal. Please use the official School of Music program template.
  • Graduate Recital Template (Calibri font)
  • Graduate Recital Template (Garamond font)
• If you require use of a Piano or Harpsichord, you must contact Anne Marie Brown (annemarie.brown@wichita.edu), who will coordinate the details with the Piano Technician.
• If you wish to use the Grand Marcussen Organ, you must be given permission from Lynne Davis, organ professor (316–978–6218 or lynne.davis@wichita.edu). This is to ensure the safety and security of the instrument.