2009-2010 Graduate Catalog


Academic Policies

A. Requirements for Admission to the Master of Music Program

  1. To be considered for admission, all Belmont University applicants must submit the following:
    1. A completed Belmont University Graduate Studies Application for Admission.
    2. Two completed recommendation forms from individuals who know applicant's musical and scholastic abilities.
    3. The $50 non-refundable application fee.
    4. Official transcripts of all previous college and masters level work
  3. Additionally, students seeking admission to the School of Music must also submit:
    1. A completed Graduate Studies in Music Application Supplement.
    2. A copy of a printed program from a junior and/or senior undergraduate recital.
    3. A complete undergraduate repertory list in the principal performing area.
    4. Scores from either the GRE or MAT taken within the last five years. Anticipated scores for an entering student are 1000 on the GRE and 400 on the MAT.
  5. School of Music Applicants must:
    1. Have earned at least a 2.75 cumulative undergraduate point average on a 4.0 scale or a 3.0 average in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work to be fully admitted. A student may receive probationary acceptance with a 2.5 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale or a 2.75 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.
    2. Complete an audition and an interview with the Director of Graduate Studies in Music. (See Guidelines for the Master of Music Degree on the Belmont University web site for information regarding audition requirements.)
    3. Successfully complete the School of Music entrance examination (which covers Music History and Music Theory) prior to beginning coursework. Review courses are required for students who do not successfully complete these entrance examinations. Review courses may count as elective hours in most degree programs.

B. Post-Baccalaureate Study and Requirements for Admission

Non-degree seeking students who have already earned an undergraduate degree may, with permission of the Director of Graduate Studies in Music, take a limited number of music hours as a post-baccalaureate graduate student in music .

  1. All applicants seeking admission to Belmont University as a non-degree seeking post-baccalaureate student must submit the following:
    1. The Belmont University Non-Degree Graduate Application.
    2. The $50 non-refundable application fee.
    3. Official transcripts of all previous college and masters level work.
  3. Additionally, students seeking admission to the School of Music as a non-degree seeking post-baccalaureate student must complete an interview with the Director of Graduate Studies in Music
  4. Should students wish, at a later time, to apply as degree-seeking Master of Music graduate students, they must complete the entire M.M. application process as described in letter A.

Undergraduate Equivalency. Students who do not have an undergraduate degree in music but who wish to pursue an M.M. degree should apply for post-baccalaureate graduate study. They should also contact the School of Music Graduate Office for information regarding undergraduate equivalency requirements which must be completed prior to applying for admission to the M.M. program.

Licensure. Post-baccalaureate students wishing to receive licensure to teach K-12 music should contact the Director of Graduate Studies in Music to determine a program of studies appropriate to the applicant's particular background.

C. Limitation on Completion of Requirements

A graduate student in the Master of Music program must complete all degree requirements within a six (6) year period.

D. Full-Time Status and Maximum Course Load

A six-hour credit load constitutes full-time status for a Master of Music student. A 12-hour credit load constitutes the maximum load for a Master of Music student.

E. Undergraduate Seniors Taking Graduate Course Work

A Belmont University School of Music senior who is within 30 hours of completing requirements for a bachelor's degree and has at least a 3.0 grade-point average may take up to 3 hours per semester of graduate credit toward the Master of Music degree. The senior must have the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies in Music and the student's undergraduate advisor.

Additionally, the student must submit:

  1. The completed application for Senior Enrollment in Graduate Courses (available from the School of Music Office)
  2. The Belmont University Non-Degree Graduate Application
Although seniors must pay graduate tuition rates for any graduate level courses taken, the $50 graduate application fee is waived.

F. Financial Aid

A limited amount of scholarship aid is available for Master of Music students. The Master of Music application form serves as an application for scholarship aid. A limited number of graduate and graduate teaching assistantships are available. Contact the Graduate Secretary for a description of assistantships and application materials.