Northwestern State University's School of Music offers highly competitive Graduate Assistantships that range from $3000 to $13,000 for the school year. Non-Louisiana residents are eligible for an out-of-state fee waiver, and additional scholarships are available for musicians performing in University ensembles.

(Average tuition cost is $1,675 for 12 graduate hours per semester.)

This information is a supplement to the University Graduate Catalog. For a full discussion of policies and guidelines governing graduate study at Northwestern, please refer to the Catalog.

If you are interested please contact Dr. Dennette McDermott, Professor and Coordinator of Graduate Music Studies at 318.357.5761 or by mcdermottd@nsula.edu.

School of Creative and Performing Arts
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, Louisiana 71497

I. Degree in Brief

The Masters of Music at Northwestern State University is structured to provide flexibility in order to meet the needs and interests of all graduate students. The degree's primary focus is music education, but students are allowed a great deal of latitude in choosing the direction they wish to take for their graduate study (music education, conducting, performance, history, etc.). Each student, with the help of a graduate advisor, creates his or her own degree plan that will facilitate educational, professional, and personal goals. The degree consists of 30 semester hours, including a final project (for details, see Curriculum section below)

II. Admission to Graduate Study

Application for Admission
Refer to the Graduate Catalog for all requirements of admission to Graduate Study.

Music Requirements
A Bachelor of Music or Music Education is required for admission to the program. Students who do not have an undergraduate degree in Music or Music Education may be admitted to the program with a proof of basic competencies in music, to be determined by the Music Graduate Council.

III. Graduate Assistantships

If a student wishes to apply for a Graduate Assistantship, he or she must also submit the appropriate application. The Application for Graduate Assistantship is included in the application packet. Graduate Assistantships are awarded by the University based on the student's GRE scores. Assistantships in Music can also be based on an audition for those students wishing to have assistantships in applied areas.

All Graduate Assistants must have achieved regular admission status to be awarded an assistantship. All Graduate Assistantships include an Out-of-State tuition waiver and are based on a work load of 20 hours per week. Students are required to fill out time sheets to verify that they are working assigned hours.

IV. Curriculum

The Masters of Music at Northwestern offers a flexible curriculum to suit the needs of the individual student. Each candidate must complete a total of 30 semester hours. Twelve of these hours must be taken from Studies in the Major Field. An additional 12 hours must be taken in Other Studies in Music. The remaining six hours are to be taken as electives from either the Major Field or courses outside the Major Field. Each student must also complete one of the following final projects as part of the 30 hour degree: 1) Thesis, 2) Two papers in lieu of Thesis, 3) Graduate Recital and Performance Document.

Curriculum Guide

Studies in Major Field

MUS 5900

3 hours of Music 5900; 9 hours to be chosen from the following: Music Education 5000, 5110, 5120, 5200, 5230, 5270, 5460, 5480, 5490, 5520, 5550, 5600, Music 5150, 5230, 5390.

Other Studies in Music

To be chosen from the following: Music 5020, 5040, 5060, 5300, 5310, 5320, 5330, 5340, 5350, 5360, 5430, 5440, 5700*, 5710*.

* Not more than 6 hours of applied study can be counted towards degree requirements.

Electives

Music Research courses:
MUS 5400, 5720, 5970, 5980

Other electives can be chosen from any music courses listed above or other graduate courses outside of music that are approved by the graduate advisor.

Final Project - Three Options
1. Thesis (must take MUS 5980)



2. Two papers in lieu of Thesis
This option allows a student to pick subjects which are of particular interest. Papers must be related to a course and must be an expansion upon any normal assignments for that course. MUS 5400 may be used as a course for writing a paper in lieu of Thesis.


3. Recital and Performance Document (must take MUS 5720 and 5970) paper should be an extensive exploration of a subject that relates to the Recital program.

Comprehensive Exam
All students will take a comprehensive written exam. Questions are based on questions from courses taken by the students. There are two possible outcomes: 1) Pass, and 2) No Pass. In the case of No Pass the student will take an oral examination. The oral examination is graded as Pass or Fail. A student may not attempt the comprehensive written exam more than two times.

Special Requirements for degree
1. Participation as needed (at least two semesters) in performing ensembles, without degree credit. Must enroll in MUS 5280



2. MUS 5010 (Practical Review) may be required without degree credit on basis of entrance examination.