Master's Final Project Handbook

Requirements for the Masters Final Project

(Thesis, Recital/Portfolio, or Composition)

As the culmination of the degree program, each student is expected to present a final research or creative project appropriate to the student’s area of specialization. Credit for this requirement is given under the course numbers MuCT/MusP 6980, MuEd 6380, or MuCT/ MuEd /MusP 6990. The student may enroll for up to 12 hours of credit in the final project, but no more than the number of hours specified on each curriculum sheet will be counted toward the degree. All submissions must follow the schedule of deadlines published by the Graduate College.  

University Degree Candidates Deadlines

CMA Graduate Deadlines

Candidates in performance are expected to fulfill the final project requirement by presenting a public recital or recitals according to the degree specifications, and completing either a comprehensive examination or a thesis. Graduate performance students are expected to present their recital in the Moore Musical Arts Center so that it can be recorded by the College’s Recording Services. All graduate recitals presented in the MMAC will automatically be scheduled for recording provided that the event was scheduled appropriately with the proper notice. Late requests or rescheduled events may not provide enough lead time for Recording Services. At the conclusion of the recital, Recording Services will send a download link to you and to the University Library for archival purposes. The recording of the recital serves as verification of its completion; therefore, no signed program is needed by the main office—that is an undergraduate requirement only. For conducting students who are compiling recordings in lieu of a recital, please discuss with your faculty advisor and inform the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies and the graduate secretary.

Because of the recording requirement, Master’s students and Music Certificate students are expected to present their degree recital on campus. Exceptions may be made if the recital program has specific space/instrumentation requirements clearly better accommodated in an off-campus venue and/or for other reasons of professional advancement. In all cases, a high-quality recording of the entire recital must be presented to Recording Services for archiving within two weeks after the event, the recital must be performed in a location that is reasonably accessible to other BGSU students (e.g., within the Toledo metro area, no cover charge for entry, etc.), and the venue must be agreeable to all performers. The student giving the recital is solely responsible for all charges and fees accrued for external bookings and services, including recording. Petitions to perform off-campus degree recitals will be made to the college’s Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies using the available online form: Off Campus Recital Permission Form

Plan I Music Education students are expected to submit a thesis on a substantive issue in music education. Music Education majors who are excellent performers may, with the approval of the area performance faculty and the chair of the music education department, fulfill the thesis requirement by means of a recital and written document. Plan II Music Education students submit a portfolio and take written and oral comprehensive examinations as the final project. These examinations will be administered toward the end of the final semester of course work and will cover material from any graduate courses that were completed.

Students in Ethnomusicology and Music History may elect to either submit a thesis or submit a portfolio of academic writing. Composition students fulfill the thesis requirement by submitting the score of an original musical composition. Specific guidelines regarding the length and instrumentation of the composition are available through the Final Project Handbook. 

The written portion of final projects must adhere to a style manual acceptable to the student’s thesis chair, to the additional guidelines specified in the Graduate College’s Thesis and Dissertation Handbook, and to the College of Musical Arts’ Final Project Handbook.

Plan I students in Composition, Ethnomusicology, Music Education, and Music History must pass a thesis defense. For students in Composition, a performance of the composition may stand in lieu of a defense. Students in Music History and Ethnomusicology must also pass qualifying examinations before beginning the thesis. Students in Performance – Plan I do not need to defend their thesis.

Please note that all Plan II students regardless of program or specialization must pass an oral comprehensive/portfolio examination at the completion of all course work.

College of Musical Arts Final Project Handbook

Master's Degree

Table of Contents

Preface

The purpose of this handbook is to acquaint graduate students in the College of Musical Arts with the necessary procedures for fulfilling the final requirements for the Master of Music degree. Final requirements for the doctoral degree can be found in the Doctoral Handbook. Part I provides general information on final project requirements for individual degree programs. Part II offers general information on the thesis component of the Master of Music degree. Parts III and IV outline the comprehensive examination policy for music education, music history, and ethnomusicology students following a Plan II degree program. Part V details the policies of the recital/portfolio option available to performance majors. Parts VI through VII explain Plan II (non-thesis) options for ethnomusicology and music history students. Please follow these links for information on the format of thesis and document proposals and thesis deadlines. Students writing a thesis should consult the Graduate College’s Thesis and Dissertation Handbook.

Part I: Final Project Requirements

At the culmination of the degree program, each student is expected to present a final research or creative project and/or take a comprehensive examination as appropriate to the student’s area of specialization. Credit for this requirement is given under the course number MuCT/MuEd/MusP 6990, MuCT/MusP 6980 or MuEd 6380. In general, no more than three credit hours of any of these courses will be counted toward the degree, but students may need to take more credits if their thesis/project is not completed by the end of the fourth semester of study. All submissions of final projects must follow the schedule published by the Graduate College. The College of Musical Arts also publishes a schedule of College deadlines each year.

Master of Music in Composition

Candidates in composition fulfill the thesis requirement by preparing one original composition. Candidates must submit one copy of the score electronically to the office of the Graduate College and OhioLINK (see p. 7). Compositions involving prerecorded technology will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

Master of Music in Music Education

There are four degree specializations in the Music Education program: 1) Comprehensive Music Education, 2) Choral Music Education and 3) Instrumental Music Education, 4) Teaching Artistry (online only).

  • Comprehensive Music Education, Choral Music Education and instrumental Music Education: Within these specializations there are two options for the final project:
    1. Thesis Option (Plan I): Students are expected to submit a thesis on a substantive issue in music education.
    2. Comprehensive Examination Option (Plan II): A written and oral comprehensive exam will be administered near the end of coursework. A candidate must petition the Department of Music Education during the final semester of course work to schedule this examination.
  • Teaching Artistry (Online): Students in the online Teaching Artistry specialization submit a written project documenting classroom research conducted throughout the degree. Students prepare an oral presentation delivered live via online video conferencing software such as SKYPE or Zoom. A minimum of two music education faculty members teaching in the online degree program serve as the review committee.
Master of Music in Music History or Ethnomusicology

The Master of Music degrees in Music History and Ethnomusicology have two plans; candidates will choose their plan by the end of the second semester of study after consulting with their faculty mentor.

Thesis Option (Plan I): A candidate in music history or ethnomusicology is required to write a thesis on a substantive topic in music history or ethnomusicology. The thesis must be successfully defended to the candidate’s thesis committee, and the defense will begin with a formal scholarly presentation on the document. Students may not register for thesis credit until they have passed the departmental qualifying examinations. Examinations will be scheduled through the appropriate faculty, usually during the second semester of study for Music History and the third semester of study for Ethnomusicology.

Portfolio Option (Plan II): The candidate will submit a portfolio of academic writing to their portfolio committee by the 8th week of the semester of intended graduation. The candidate will undergo an oral defense of the portfolio.

Master of Music in Performance

There are ten degree options in the performance program: Master of Music in Performance: specializations in Instrumental Performance, Instrumental Specialist, Piano, and Voice; Master of Music in Conducting: specializations in Choral Conducting and Orchestral Conducting; Master of Music in Collaborative Piano; Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy; Master of Music in Vocal Pedagogy; and Master of Music in Jazz Studies.  Candidates in performance are expected to fulfill the final project requirement by presenting a public recital or recitals according to the degree specification (see below). In addition, all students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination based on a portfolio of work completed during the course of study or write a thesis on a subject related to the performance medium, its repertory, or its pedagogy. Graduate performance students following the recital/portfolio option are required to use Recording Services to record all degree recitals (see the MM Handbook for more on this policy and information on exceptions to the on-campus performance requirement).

  • Collaborative Piano: A candidate in collaborative piano is required to perform two public recitals—one vocal recital and one instrumental recital.
  • Conducting: A candidate in choral conducting or orchestral conducting may present a conducting recital or may submit a compilation of 30 to 45 minutes of conducting performance approved by the appropriate conducting faculty for electronic submission. Students should choose in consultation with the appropriate faculty.
  • Instrumental, Jazz Studies, Piano, Voice, or Vocal Pedagogy: A candidate in instrumental, jazz, piano, or voice is required to perform one full public recital.
  • Instrumental Specialist: A candidate in the instrumental specialist program may pursue studies in the areas of strings, woodwinds, or brass. A candidate must present one recital on the major instrument and one chamber recital on at least two minor instruments.
  • Piano Pedagogy: A candidate in piano pedagogy is required to perform one full public recital. The candidate is also required to present a one-hour public workshop under the supervision of appropriate faculty on an approved pedagogy topic.

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Part II: Thesis and Composition Requirements

Prerequisites to Thesis Research

MuCT 6020 Research Techniques is designed to acquaint students with the fundamental tools of music bibliography and with the basic skills of academic writing and research. Normally students take this course in the first semester of study. The only exceptions occur when students enter the graduate program in the middle of the academic year. This course is prerequisite to Directed Research. Students in performance or pedagogy who wish to pursue the thesis option may elect to take MuCT 6020 in lieu of MusP 6900.

MuEd 6900 Directed Research is designed to familiarize music education students with the bibliographic tools appropriate to the candidate’s area of specialization. The student may use this as an opportunity to establish a thesis committee. The primary objective of the course is often the preparation of a sample proposal. This proposal may also serve as the basis for the student’s thesis, although this is not a requirement. Students pursuing a non-thesis option familiarize themselves with bibliographic and professional tools in preparation for their final project and examinations.

MusP 6900 serves as the research techniques and professional development course for students in performance and pedagogy.

Composition majors must also take MuCT 6700, Contemporary Music Literature and Styles. MuCT 6700 is a survey of contemporary music literature since 1945, including major stylistic developments and historical context, as well as important writings about contemporary music since 1945. This course will help prepare composers to write their thesis, a major composition.

Selecting a Thesis Committee

The student, in consultation with their major professor, assembles an appropriate committee prior to the submission of the proposal. Thesis committees are composed of a minimum of two regular or provisional members of the graduate faculty. The major professor serves as the chair of the thesis committee and must be a member of the graduate faculty.

Music Education

An oral exam is incorporated into the thesis defense. No written material is required outside of the thesis. The thesis committee is the same as the oral exam committee. Students must be ready to respond to subject matters beyond the thesis but within the parameters of all course work.

Selecting a Topic

Preliminary investigation of a topic or problem should be conducted by the student and the major advisor early in the graduate program, preferably during the semester in which the student enrolls in Directed Research, or shortly thereafter. The selected topic must be approved by the student’s thesis committee, the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies, and the Dean of the Graduate College. All candidates who apply for proposal approval must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0.

To submit a topic for approval, a thesis proposal is written; this is often the product of Directed Research. Candidates should follow the format for proposals outlined in Appendix A of this handbook. Students should initiate the Thesis/Dissertation Topic Approval form from the Graduate College web site and submit the thesis/dissertation proposal to their committee members. The student and the committee members are notified directly by the Graduate College when the topic has been approved.

Thesis Credit

A graduate student working on a thesis or thesis composition is required to register for three hours of MuCT/MuEd/MusP 6990. A student working on a recital and portfolio is required to register for three hours of MusP 6980. Music history and ethnomusicology students selecting the portfolio option are required to register for three hours of MuCT 6980. Music education students selecting the comprehensive examination option are required to register for three hours of MuEd 6380. The number of credit hours taken in any one semester should be decided upon by the student and the chair of the committee and should reflect the amount of time that will be spent on the project. If the thesis is not completed during the semester in which the student is registered, the student is required to register for MuCT/MuEd/MusP 6990 in all subsequent semesters (excluding summer) until the project is completed. For further details, see the Graduate College Master’s Degree General Requirements policy.

Time Limits for Degree Completion and Re-Examination

Please see the Graduate College Time Limits for Degree and Revalidation policy. If a student fails the assessment of the culminating project for the degree, re-examination may occur. Please see the Graduate College Master’s Degree—General Requirements Policy for limitations and more information.

Style

The thesis should consistently follow one style guide throughout the document. Please consult with your committee chair for the style guide appropriate to your discipline and subject matter.

All students should consult the Bowling Green State University Thesis and Dissertation Handbook. This is the primary source for all Graduate College policies regarding theses and documents.

Deadlines

Please consult the Graduate College’s important dates and deadlines webpage and the College of Musical Arts’s deadlines, which are updated each academic year.

Completing the Thesis Requirement

All written theses will be submitted electronically to the Graduate College and OhioLINK. When the final form of the thesis is approved by all committee members, a PDF of the manuscript is emailed to the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies for approval. The student will initiate the Defense and Manuscript Approval Form – Thesis before the thesis defense. 

Once your manuscript has been defended, approved by your thesis committee, converted to a PDF document and approved by the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies, you are ready to upload it to OhioLINK. Complete instructions are found at the following website: https://www.bgsu.edu/graduate/thesis-and-dissertations/submission-and-approval-of-your-manuscript.html.

Candidates in music education, music history, and ethnomusicology must defend the thesis in an oral examination before submitting the completed manuscript to the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies. The chair of the committee should arrange the time and place of the examination, and all members of the thesis committee should be present. The Assistant Dean should be informed of the time and place and may elect to attend. After the student initiates the Defense and Manuscript Approval Form – thesis, committee members will sign the form electronically after the candidate has passed the final examination and has had the thesis approved.

Candidates in composition fulfill the thesis requirement by submitting a composition and parts, and by answering questions relevant to the project at the thesis defense (style, orchestration, compositional technique and literature). Performance of the thesis composition may substitute for the defense.

The Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies will review all theses to ensure that format and style are correct. The student will then be contacted to upload the thesis to OhioLINK. The coordinator of Electronic Theses and Dissertations may ask for additional edits and formatting changes before the final, approved document is published on OhioLINK.

Performance students following the recital/document option do not need to defend their theses.

Composition Requirements

Composition theses must adhere to the following length requirements:

  1. Five-minute Minimum: large orchestra, symphonic band, chorus with band or orchestral accompaniment, chamber opera or miscellaneous stage work;
  2. Eight-minute Minimum: chamber orchestra (20 – 30 performers), wind ensemble (20 – 30 performers), chorus with or without keyboard accompaniment, chorus with chamber ensemble, chorus with magnetic tape;
  3. Ten-minute Minimum:
    a.  String orchestra (conventional scoring), chamber ensemble (10 – 19 performers), string ensemble (10 – 19     performers);
    b.  Computer-generated tape;
  4. Twelve-minute Minimum: Duos to nonets (including song cycles), piano solo, harp solo, harpsichord solo, organ solo.
  5. Not acceptable are works for a one-line solo instrument without accompaniment.

The final copy of the thesis composition must meet the following standards:

  1. Size of full score may vary from a minimum of 8.5 x 11 inches to a maximum of 12 x 20 inches. Scores may be in portrait or landscape layout.
  2. Size of performance parts, when required, must be 8.5 x 11 inches, 10 staves per page.
  3. In the case of a work for chorus with more than piano, organ or tape accompaniment, a separate choral score should be provided in appropriate to the composition. Page size of the choral score should be 8.5 x 11 inches.
  4. Margins: Consult the University Thesis/Dissertation Handbook Guidelines for margins.
  5. The full score must include the following:
    a.  Frontal material (roman numeral pagination, all 8.5 X 11 inches)        
          1)  Title page (see Thesis and Dissertation Handbook);
          2)  Copyright page (optional)
          3)  Abstract;
          4)  Frontispiece (optional);
          5)  Dedication (optional);
          6)  Performance instructions (as appropriate);
          7)  Program notes (optional);
          8)  Acknowledgements (optional)
    b.  Music score (Arabic pagination beginning on second page)
  6. The final thesis documents must contain a copyright page; use the University’s Thesis and Dissertation template for placement.

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Part III: Qualifying Examination Policy –Ethnomusicology

Schedule of Examinations

The exams for graduate students in ethnomusicology will consist of two parts 1) a written exam; 2) an in-person debriefing of exam results. All parts will be administered in November of the fall semester during the second year of study and take place on separate days. Students will be notified of the room in which the exams will take place and will write the essays on their own laptops (students will be asked to disable their internet connections). Members of the ethnomusicology faculty will administer and adjudicate the exams. The exam coordinator will contact students with exact details early in the Fall semester/late Summer.

It is important to remember that these exams represent independent study, and it is expected that students will prepare for them in the first year as well as in the summer before the exams are administered. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss preparation strategies with the faculty. Please see your faculty as you prepare frequently and with all questions/concerns as they arise.

Written examination (Day 1; 4 hours)

The written part of the exam is 4 hours long. Students are required to answer four questions. On the day of the exam, students will be given three predetermined questions about the history and issues of ethnomusicology. Students will also be given one question specific to their curriculum and research areas.

At the beginning of the fall semester, each student will be assigned an annotated bibliography topic to prepare, due the same day as the written exam. This bibliography must consist of at least 50 sources, 20 of which must contain a 4-5 sentence annotation.

In-person debrief and recap (Day 2; 30 minutes)

After the exam each student will have a meeting with the ethnomusicology faculty to discuss their exam results as well as to plan their final projects.

Upon passing the exams, the student must initiate the MuCT/MuEd Plan II form and obtain the area coordinator’s signature.

Repeating Examinations

If the results of the comprehensive examinations are unsatisfactory, a student may request permission to repeat the tests. The examinations may be repeated only once; the re-examination is usually administered at the beginning of the spring semester. In order to continue in the program, students must pass all portions of the exam at this time; failure to pass the re-examination will result in dismissal from the program. The committee may require independent study on the part of the student prior to the retest.

Deadlines

Please consult the Graduate College’s important dates and deadlines webpage and the College of Musical Arts’s deadlines, which are updated each academic year.

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Part IV: Comprehensive Examination Policy – Music Education

All graduate students in music education electing Plan II-Non-Thesis Option (except students in the Online Teaching Artistry specialization) must submit a portfolio and take written and oral comprehensive examinations as the final project. Exams should be conducted by a committee of three faculty members from whom the student has taken classes. At least two committee members must be music education faculty members, including one who is an instructor of a music education core course and one who teaches in the area of the candidate’s specialization. The chair for the committee must be an instructor of a music education core course. The committee should be formed by the student in consultation with an instructor of a core course, who becomes the chair of the committee. This committee should be formed by the beginning of the third semester of the student’s residency at the university. These examinations will be administered following the completion of all course work and will cover material from any graduate courses that were completed. All candidates who apply for the comprehensive examinations must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0.

Portfolio

The portfolio will consist of the syllabi, final projects and major examinations from each course completed during studies for the Master of Music degree. For applied study and ensembles, the student should submit syllabi, jury sheets, and other written evaluations, and concert programs where appropriate. If the portfolio in incomplete in any way, the student will not be permitted to take the comprehensive examination.

Submissions to the portfolio are the responsibility of the student and are to be made at the completion of each course. The portfolio should be completed and submitted to the chair of the examination committee at least two weeks prior to the scheduled examination. Both the student and the committee shall review the portfolio to determine the scope and the general content of the examination. Download the Plan II Results (Music Master’s only) form. 

Written Examination

Each member of the examination committee will submit two questions. The faculty member has the option to submit one take-home question, giving the student one week to complete a paper and one question to be answered onsite; or submit two questions to be answered on site. The student will have between three and five hours to complete the on-site written examination depending on the number of questions administered.

Oral Examination

The oral examination is administered from five to seven days following the completion of the written examination. Although the oral examination is based primarily on the results of the written examination, it may include material that was not covered on the written examination.

Repeating Examinations

If the results of the comprehensive examinations are unsatisfactory, a student may request permission to repeat the tests. The examinations may be repeated only once. In order to continue in the program students must pass all portions of the exam at this time; failure to pass the re-examination will result in dismissal from the program. The committee may require independent study on the part of the student prior to the retest.

Deadlines

Please consult the Graduate College’s important dates and deadlines webpage and the College of Musical Arts’s deadlines, which are updated each academic year.

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Part V: Qualifying Examination Policy – Music History

Schedule of Examinations

The exams for graduate students in music history will consist of three parts (on separate days): 1) a written exam; 2) a score analysis, teaching example, and listening exam (oral); and 3) an oral defense/discussion of the written exam.

All parts will be administered early in April (on Fridays, unless notified otherwise) during the first year of study, and take place on separate days. Students will be notified of the room in which the exams will take place and will write the essays on their own laptops (students will be asked to disable their internet connection). Alternatively, faculty may elect to administer the exams online as circumstances arise. The musicology faculty will communicate with the students in advance, will administer and adjudicate all parts of the exams.

It is important to remember that these exams represent independent study. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss preparation strategies with the musicology faculty. Please see your faculty as you prepare.

Students are allowed to submit an official thesis proposal only after they have passed all portions of the comprehensive exams. Please check the Important Dates and Deadlines posted by the Graduate College:

The following exam structure does NOT apply to students in the Dual Master’s Degree combining historical musicology and ethnomusicology (two years, single final project) OR students in the Second Master’s Degree (three years, two final projects) combining historical musicology and ethnomusicology (or another degree). Separate guidelines will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Written examination (Day 1; 3.5 hours)

The written part of the exam is three and a half hours long. Students are required to answer four questions from the list. On the day of the exam, studentswill be given three questions from “Questions from Western music history” selected by the faculty. Students will also be given a menu of three questions from which they will choose the fourth question.

Score analysis, teaching presentation, and listening examination (Day 2; 45 minutes)

This is an oral exam. Students are expected to discuss scores and assess listening examples of music literature. Where appropriate, they should offer possible composers, time periods, countries (areas), genres, instrumentation, styles, forms, etc.  It is not the ultimate goal to “name the piece,” but to demonstrate knowledge of musical literature including aspects such as chronology, genre, social context, and style. 

Music history majors will be given up to five examples of score analysis and listening from all periods of Western music history.

Students will also be asked to prepare a 10-minute presentation (with PPT) that will include a focused review and analysis of a specific composition (or excerpt). The era, composer and piece will be selected by the faculty and assigned early in the semester. Presentations should put the specific piece in the context of other compositions of this type, in the context of the composer’s output, and include an analytical component. This mini lecture should be organized and presented in the style of teaching an undergraduate music history course.

In addition, students will be assigned one example of world music, to be selected by the faculty. Students will prepare a 10-minute presentation for this example (with PPT). Presentations should be prepared in the style of teaching an undergraduate general education course. Presentations should contain information on the following as appropriate: context of the piece, geographic information, history, instrumentation, sonic components, ritual significance, religious meaning, musical behaviors, audience behavior, social expectations, etc. The presentation should represent a well-organized, planned, clear, and thoughtful mini-lecture.

Oral examination and defense (Day 3; 30 minutes)

This last part of the comprehensive exams will consist of a half-hour discussion and defense of the student’s written exam, as well as an overall evaluation of their work.

Upon passing the exams, the student must initiate the MuCT/MuEd Plan II form and obtain the area coordinator’s signature.

Repeating Examinations

If the results of the comprehensive examinations are unsatisfactory, a retakeexam (of the written, oral, or both parts) may be administered, usually at the start of the following Fall semester. In order to continue in the program students must pass all portions of the exam during the retakes in early Fall of the second year of study; failure to pass the re-examination will result in dismissal from the program. The examinations may be repeated only once.

Deadlines

Please consult the Graduate College’s important dates and deadlines webpage and the College of Musical Arts’s deadlines, which are updated each academic year.

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Part VI: Recital/Portfolio Policy – Performance Studies

Students in performance studies may satisfy the final project requirement by means of a recital, portfolio, and comprehensive oral examination. The sequence of research courses leading to the final project for majors in music performance studies is as follows:

MusP 6900 – Directed Research

MusP 6980 – Recital/Portfolio

Portfolio

The portfolio will consist of the syllabi, final projects, major examinations and other significant assignments and presentations from every course completed during studies for the Master of Music degree. For applied study and ensembles, the student must submit syllabi, jury sheets, and other written evaluations and programs where appropriate. If the portfolio is incomplete in any way, the student will not be allowed to take the comprehensive examination. The responsibility to verify that the portfolio is complete rests with the chair of the examination committee.

Compiling and maintaining the portfolio is the responsibility of the student. Students must compile an electronic portfolio and submit to each member of the Comprehensive Examination Committee by their agreed-upon due date in the semester in which the exam is to be taken; this date should be at least two weeks prior to the scheduled exam date. Both the student and the committee shall review the portfolio to determine the scope and the general content of the exam.

Comprehensive Examination Committee

The Comprehensive Examination Committee will consist of at least three, but no more than five, regular or provisional graduate faculty. The student’s major applied teacher shall act as chair. The committee shall include at least one other member of the music performance faculty and may consist exclusively of music performance faculty. The committee may include up to two additional members from outside the area, if they have had some significant part in the student’s course of study. The additional member(s) may be from any school or college at BGSU and must be regular or provisional member of the graduate faculty.

Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination will be administered in the last semester of study, not later than two weeks before commencement, and will be an oral examination consisting of six questions, lasting between one and two hours. Questions will relate to the completed coursework and to the repertoire and pedagogical materials of the student’s major instrument. Students are expected to confer with each member of the committee regarding the area and general nature of the questions at least one month prior to the examination.

Scheduling the Comprehensive Examination

In the first two weeks of the semester in which the examination is to take place, the student, in consultation with their committee, will arrange an acceptable time and place to hold the examination. Exams must be satisfactorily completed no later than two weeks before commencement.

Repeating Examinations

If the results of the comprehensive examinations are unsatisfactory, a student may repeat it one time. The committee may require independent study on the part of the student prior to the re-examination. The student may be retested orally or be required to submit a research paper or other project on the material. The format, number of questions and content of the retest is left entirely to the discretion of the committee. The examinations may be repeated only once. Upon failing a second examination, the student is dismissed from the program.

Completion Requirements

At the end of the comprehensive examination, a document containing the examination questions and a summary of the outcome of the examination will be drawn up by the chair. This document will be submitted to the Graduate Secretary. Initiate the Plan II Results (Music Master’s only) Form 

Deadlines

Please consult the Graduate College’s important dates and deadlines webpage and the College of Musical Arts’s deadlines, which are updated each academic year.

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Part VII: Portfolio Policy – Ethnomusicology

Students in the Master of Music in Ethnomusicology degree may satisfy the final project requirement by means of a portfolio. The sequence of courses leading to the final project is as follows:

MuCT 6020 Research Techniques

MuCT 6980 Portfolio

Portfolio

The candidate will submit a project determined with the approval of their committee by the 9th week of the semester of intended graduation.

Possible projects include:

  1. Lecture-recital—a solo lecture-recital. Detailed program notes required.
  2. A concert of an ensemble directed by the student. Detailed program notes required.
  3. Research project resulting in a publication-quality research paper.
  4. Teach a full month-long unit in MuCT 1250 (supervised), and write a statement of teaching philosophy.
  5. Archive/library-related project with BGSU library staff
  6. Internship with a music related organization—develop a relevant project and presentation with the committee.
  7. Create a public ethnomusicology project (may have online component)
  8. Create a short ethnographic film.

Other projects may be proposed subject to approval by the student’s committee.

“The portfolio/artifacts will be turned in to the committee and will be followed by a scheduled discussion with the committee and student (similar to a defense). During this time, the student will briefly present the work they have done, followed by questions and discussion. At this time the committee will decide on the results.”

Repeating the Portfolio Requirement

If the portfolio is deemed unsatisfactory, the committee may ask that one or more items be revised and resubmitted, or that another project (possibly one from the current semester) be submitted. If the portfolio is again deemed unsatisfactory upon the second submission, the student is dismissed from the degree program.

Scheduling the Portfolio Requirement

Students may not register for portfolio credit (MuCT 6980) until they have passed the departmental qualifying examinations. Research Techniques (MuCT 6020) must be completed before taking the examinations.

Examinations will be scheduled through the Ethnomusicology faculty.

Portfolio Committee

The portfolio committee will consist of two members of the faculty; both members will be chosen by the student with approval from Dr. Meizel and Dr. Lawrence.

Completion Requirements

When submitting the portfolio, the student will initiate the Plan II Results (Music Master’s only) form. 

Time Limits for Degree Completion and Re-Examination

Please see the Graduate College Time Limits for Degree and Revalidation policy. If a student fails the assessment of the culminating project for the degree, re-examination may occur. Please see the Graduate College Master’s Degree—General Requirements Policy for limitations and more information.

Deadlines

Please consult the Graduate College’s important dates and deadlines webpage and the College of Musical Arts’s deadlines, which are updated each academic year.

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Part VIII: Portfolio Policy – Music History

Students in the Master of Music in Music History degree may satisfy the final project requirement by means of a portfolio. The sequence of courses leading to the final project is as follows:

MuCT 6020 Research Techniques

MuCT 6980 Portfolio

Portfolio

The portfolio committee is comprised of all Musicology faculty at the College of Musical Arts. The candidate will submit the portfolio of academic writing to the portfolio committee by the 8th week of the semester of intended graduation. The portfolio will contain the following items (1,2, and 3):

  1. Major projects from one of the following categories (either A or B):

        A.  Three analytical/research papers, at least one of which must come from MuCT 6210 or 6220.

        B. Two analytical/research papers, at least one of which must come from MuCT 6210 or 6220, and one skills-based             project. Such projects may include:

                    I.  Lecture-recital—a solo lecture-recital. Detailed original program notes required.

                    II.  A concert of an ensemble (e.g., MuCT 5010E) directed by the student. Detailed original program notes                         required.

                    III.  Teach a full month-long unit in MuCT 1010 (supervised), and submit notes, bibliography, statement of                          teaching philosophy and reflection/assessment of the teaching.

                    IV.  Archive/library-related project with BGSU library staff.

                    V.  Internship with music-related organization—develop and complete relevant project and present to the                           committee.

                    VI.  Create and produce a public musicology project (may have online component).

                    VII.  Edition of previously unedited composition, along with short critical commentary.

                    VIII.  Other projects proposed will be subject to approval by the committee.

Note 1: All projects (outside of seminar papers) should be registered under the portfolio credits (MuCT 6980) and should be supervised by a faculty member of the candidate’s choice. Students should submit clean copies of their writing (without instructor comments).

Note 2: Students must revise their work (correct, update, expand) with the guidance of the faculty under whose supervision they completed the papers/projects. Students are encouraged to spend the summer between the second and third semesters of study editing at least one paper, and should consult with appropriate faculty members on the progress of the portfolio before it is submitted.

    2. A one- to two-page narrative that explains the context for each assignment (which course it was for, what     guidelines were given for the assignment, etc.) and that provides a brief abstract of each item, including (where     appropriate) a rationale for the choice of approach, repertoire, etc.

    3. An oral defense of the portfolio. The Committee (all Musicology Faculty) will assess the contents of the portfolio     and will meet with the candidate for an oral defense (between weeks 10 and 14 of the semester of intended     graduation). The portfolio must be successfully defended to the Musicology Faculty. The defense will begin with a     formal scholarly presentation on the contents of the portfolio.

The Portfolio Committee (all Musicology faculty) will assess the contents of the portfolio and the candidate’s defense, and report results back to the student and the Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies.

Repeating the Portfolio Requirement

If the portfolio is deemed unsatisfactory, the committee may ask that one or more items be revised and resubmitted, or that another project (possibly one from the current semester) be submitted. If the portfolio is again deemed unsatisfactory upon the second submission, the student is dismissed from the degree program.

Scheduling the Portfolio Requirement

Music history majors may not register for portfolio credit (MuCT 6980) until they have passed the departmental qualifying examinations. Research Techniques (MuCT 6020) must be completed before taking the examinations. Examinations will be scheduled through the Music History faculty.

Portfolio Committee

The Portfolio Committee will consist of all members of the Music History faculty. The student will elect one Music History faculty member who will supervise the process until the submission of the complete portfolio.

Completion Requirements

When submitting the portfolio, the student will initiate the Plan II Results (Music Master’s only) form. 

Time Limits for Degree Completion and Re-Examination

Please see the Graduate College Time Limits for Degree and Revalidation policy. If a student fails the assessment of the culminating project for the degree, re-examination may occur. Please see the Graduate College Master’s Degree—General Requirements Policy for limitations and more information.

Deadlines

Please consult the Graduate College’s important dates and deadlines webpage and the College of Musical Arts’s deadlines, which are updated each academic year.

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Appendices

APPENDIX A
Thesis Proposal

Title Page

The title page is the first page in the proposal (see template). Refer to the beginning of the Thesis and Dissertation Handbook for content and format.

Prose Description of Thesis

The prose description of the thesis should be no more than two pages in length, define the area to be examined and present the plan for pursuing the topic. A bibliography and tentative timetable for the completion of the project should also be given.

Composition proposals should contain a detailed plan for completing the project. This includes a concise description of style orchestration, compositional technique and literature. The proposal should be no more than two pages in length and should include a bibliography and timetable for completion. The bibliography should include a representative sampling of scores, recordings and text books.

Outline of Thesis

This section should present the proposed outline of the thesis. The purpose of this section is to provide the student with an outline to follow throughout the preparation of the thesis. It is strongly suggested that the outline be as precise and as detailed as possible in order to maintain continuity and focus regarding the subject matter.

Bibliography

A working bibliography should be provided with each proposal. The bibliography should demonstrate the student’s awareness of the major resources available to complete the thesis. Please consult your style manual for bibliographic formatting. It is not necessary to supply a complete bibliography with the topic proposal. A sample bibliography will suffice.

APPENDIX B
Format for Musical Examples

The general manner in which illustrative material (tables, pictures, diagrams, etc.) is incorporated into the document is given in the required style manuals. Follow the Chicago Manual of Style for correct formatting of musical examples.

APPENDIX C
Student and Committee Responsibilities

Responsibilities of Chair of Thesis Committee

  1. Evaluate capability of student and provide careful guidance in selection and limitation of topic;
  2. Provide primary guidance in proper bibliographic format;
  3. Ensure correct writing style;
  4. Provide primary support to student in research and development of content;
  5. Arrange thesis oral defense with student, committee and Director of Graduate Studies.

Responsibilities of Committee Members

  1. Provide guidance and advice as requested;
  2. Make necessary corrections and suggestions in format, writing style and content.

Responsibilities of Student

  1. Adhere strictly to all deadlines;
  2. Distribute copies to all members of committee on or before appropriate deadline;
  3. Prepare each chapter in style and format of required style manual;
  4. Make appropriate changes and corrections as suggested by chair and committee members.
APPENDIX D
Portfolio Check Sheet

1.  Major Field: Applied Courses (Private Study and Ensembles)

  • Syllabi                         
  • Repertory Sheets         
  • Jury Sheets                  
  • List of Recitals              
  • Programs                     

2.  Other Studies – Academic Classes, Independent Study Course

  • Syllabi                         
  • Examinations               
  • Papers                         
  • Presentations              
  • Appendix E
Plan II Forms

Master's degree students following Plan II (portfolio/comprehensive exam track) must submit a completed Plan II form after successful completion of their culminating experience.

Students in MUSP (music performance, pedagogy, conducting, jazz studies), please find your Plan II form at the following link https://www.bgsu.edu/content/dam/BGSU/musical-arts/documents/student-resources/GraduateStudentFiles/MusicPerformanceMastersPlanIIForm.pdf . Fill in the required information, print the form, and take it to your comprehensive oral exam. Assuming your exam is successful, have your committee members sign, and then take the form to the Graduate Secretary for processing.

Students in MUCT (ethnomusicology and music history), please find your Plan II form at the following link: https://www.bgsu.edu/content/dam/BGSU/musical-arts/documents/student-resources/GraduateStudentFiles/MUCT-MUEDMastersPlanII.pdf . Fill in the required information, print the form, and take it to your final qualifying exam. Assuming your exam is successful, have the area coordinator sign, and then take the form to the Graduate Secretary. Obtain the form from the Graduate Secretary again a day or two before your portfolio exam. Have committee members sign, and then take back to the Graduate Secretary for processing.

Students in MUED (comprehensive, instrumental, and choral music education), please find your Plan II form at the following link: https://www.bgsu.edu/content/dam/BGSU/musical-arts/documents/student-resources/GraduateStudentFiles/MUCT-MUEDMastersPlanII.pdf . Fill in the required information, print the form, and take it to your comprehensive oral exam. Assuming your exam is successful, have your committee members sign, and then take the form to the Graduate Secretary for processing.

Updated: 08/19/2026 09:26PM