GM Forms

The Application for Awarding of Master’s or Doctoral Degree is required by the first Friday of the term in which a graduate student wishes to graduate. 

Application for Awarding of Master's or Doctoral Degree 

Recital Documents

Description of Graduate Forms and Documents

1 - 5:  There is one course plan for each of the graduate degree programs. This form is used in conjunction with the Annual Projected Graduate Courses document to plan out the coursework over two or more years. It should be completed by the student and the advisor in the first term of admission. 

6. The School of Music Petition form is used if a student wishes to substitute one or more courses for a specific course requirement. Once approved by the student’s advisor, the Graduate Coordinator must fill out a DARS exception to make the substitution.

7–8. The Graduate Recital/Final Project checklist is used to create the student’s graduate committee. It also allows the student and the advisor to make sure all is in preparation for the recital or final project. There is a special version of this form for Jazz students. 

9. The MM Oral Exit Exam form must be completed by the student’s committee immediately following the oral exam and given to the Graduate Coordinator. The Graduate Coordinator must submit a DARS exception stating that the student passed their Comprehensive Oral Exam before they can graduate. 

10. The MM Degree Change form is used if a student wishes to change from one degree program to another for example, an MA to an MS or MM. It may also be used to change from a degree outside of the School of Music to a music degree.

11. The Transfer Credits form is used to include transfer credits from another university. A student may transfer up to 15 credits to a graduate degree. Students with pre-admission credits earned at PSU must request that they be used for the degree by submitting the GM-

12. The Degree Flowchart is a graphic representation of what steps a student must take to complete the degree. 

13. The MA/MS Project Timeline form describes the steps necessary to plan for and complete the required project (MUS 506) for the degree. 

14. The University Graduate Petition Form is used if a student wishes to waive a requirement outside the School of Music such as use of undergraduate credit. This form is seldom used because most requirements can be waived from within the School of Music using the GM-3.

15. The GM-3 is submitted to the Graduate Coordinator and the coordinator submits a DARS Exception to include the credits. 

16. The Overload Approval Form is used if a student wishes to enroll in more than the maximum credits allowed. The credit limit for graduate students is 16 per term. 

17. Annual Projected Graduate Courses shows the specific terms that graduate courses are being offered over a period of two years. It is used in conjunction with the GM-2 in order for advisors to help students create their degree plan. It should be updated each spring by verifying course offerings with the School Director.

18. Graduate Entrance Exam Information should be sent out to any student who has signed up to take the Entrance Exam. It contains information on what to study.

19. Procedures for the Master of Music Pre-Recital Jury and Oral Exit Examination contains all the information the student needs to prepare for the recital and oral exam. It is important for advisors and students to adhere to the instructions in this document in order to ensure that all the proper steps have been followed.

20. MA/MS Written Exit Exam Information provides information on times and how to sign up and study for the exam.

21. Music Teaching Certificate Information explains the prerequisite coursework to be admitted into the Graduate Teacher Education Program. Occasionally a potential student will contact the Graduate Coordinator with the assumption that the School of Music offers a graduate degree that leads to teacher certification. This is not the case so the link to the Music Teaching Certificate Information document should be given to the potential student along with the contact information for the Coordinator of Music Education.

22.  The Out-of Date Credits form is rarely used. It would be necessary if a student has taken more than seven years to complete the degree. One reason it is rarely used is that an examination must be given by the department that proves the student’s competency in that subject in order for the expired credit can be reinstated.