Transfer of Course Work
A maximum of six semester hours completed at another accredited institution prior to entering the program may be considered for transfer to meet degree requirements if the course work was:
- graded "B-" or better;
- taken within the last seven years;
- comparable in content and approach with those in the St. Thomas Master of Arts in Music Education degree program:
- acceptable at the granting institution toward a graduate degree there; and
- not used to fulfill requirements for a previously granted degree.
Transfer credits from another institution may not be applied to Level II or III of either the Orff or Kodály fields of concentration; however, they may be applied to the core requirements and Level I in these fields of concentration.
Six graduate credits earned as a nondegree student in UST courses that also are requirements for the graduate program may be transferred to meet the student's course requirements. The total number of transfer credits from other institutions and the University of St. Thomas may not exceed six.
Active Status
Once accepted as a student in the St. Thomas Master of Arts in Music Education degree program, students must enroll in a course within one year. Matriculated students who do not register for two successive summer terms will be deactivated and must re-apply to resume work in the program.
Time Limits
All requirements for the degree must be completed within seven years of matriculation into the program. Students who do not fulfill the requirements within seven years must re-apply to the program. The new application must include:
- a letter petitioning reactivation of the file with an explanation of the reasons why the degree was not completed and why the student wishes to be readmitted and,
- an application fee.
The director determines the number of credits which will be added to the course load for graduation. Students will have no more than three years from the time of readmission to complete all degree requirements.
Students who have reached the time limit for completion of the degree but are making satidfactory progress toward degree completion must submit a letter to the director requesting an extension, reason for the extension, and proposed date of completion.
Academic Integrity
Honesty and trust among students and between students and faculty are essential for a strong, functioning academic community. Consequently, students are expected to do their own work on all academic assignments, tests, projects, and research/term papers. Academic dishonesty, whether cheating, plagiarism, or some other form of dishonest conduct related to academic coursework and listed in the Student Policy Book under "Discipline: Rules of Conduct" will automatically result in failure for the work involved. Academic dishonesty also may result in failure for the course and, in the event of a second incident of academic dishonesty, suspension from the university. Academic Integrity Policy.
Attendance
Graduate students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning and to make appropriate arrangements for assignments and class materials covered in their absence.
Summer session day courses, offered three-day and in one-, two-, and three-week formats, have a no-absence policy. Students should be aware that absence from these classes may affect their final grade.
Grades
Graduate Programs in Music Education uses and A-D grading system that includes plus (+) and minus (-) designation. B- is the minimum grade accepted for courses to be used to meet degree requirements. Students earning a grade lower than B- in a core or concentration course must repeat the course until a grade of B- or higher is earned. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a four-point scale is needed to receive the Master of Arts degree. Thesis projects are graded on a Pass/No Credit basis. Student progress in the program is reviewed annually by the director.
The meaning of each grade may be interpreted numerically or qualitatively:
Quantitative Interpretation
A 93-100
A- 90-92
B+ 87-89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77-79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D+ 67-69
D 63-66
D- 60-63
Qualitative Interpretation
A Superior work in all aspects
A- Superior work in most aspects
B+ Good work in all aspects
B Good work in most aspects
B- Good work in some aspects
C+ Fair work in some aspects
C Fair work in most aspects
C- Fair work in all aspects
D+ Poor work in some aspects
D Poor work in most aspects
D- Poor work in all aspects
