Programs Standards and Requirements

Standards, Examinations, Final Admission to Programs

Standards for Cali School of Music

There are university guidelines for retention in the university catalog. You should read these guidelines since they are part of the criteria used to determine whether you may remain in a program of study. In addition to these, the school monitors each major's progress. Undergraduates who fail academic work may be asked to suspend applied music lessons and/or ensembles until their academic work has improved.

At the end of the sophomore year, all music students must be able to demonstrate comprehensive musicianship in the performing primary, functional keyboard skills, theoretical and practical skills, secondary vocal skills and other elements germane to the student's concentration. Continuation as a Cali student is dependent upon adequate performance in your major.  

Grade Requirements

Undergraduate music majors need to complete their core music classes with a C- or better. Certain Music Education and Recording Arts & Production courses have a B- minimum grade requirement.  Students may be required to repeat music courses in which they do not meet the minimum course grade requirement.  Courses may be repeated once after the first failed attempt.  Subsequent repetitions are not automatically granted, and require both the support of the School of Music and the permission of the Provost. Passing grades must be earned at each level of a sequence of courses before a student is allowed to progress to the next level. We believe that understanding of course material at every level adds an essential dimension to your musical skills and development. Your advisor is there to help you if you need assistance at any point in your studies.

Graduate music students must maintain a 3.0 or higher.  When a degree student’s GPA falls below 3.00, the student will be placed on Academic Notice. The degree student must raise his/her GPA to at least a 3.0 within the next six credits of course work taken within the next two semesters from the date of notification of Academic Notice. This may include summer sessions. Failure to achieve a GPA of 3.00 within the prescribed period of time will lead to final review, which may result in removal of matriculated status and dismissal.

A degree student who receives three “C” (i.e., “C+”, “C”, or “C-“) or lower level grades (i.e., “F”) will be dismissed from the program. The Graduate School will make dismissal actions on a case-by-case basis in consultation with a degree student’s Graduate Program Coordinator. 

Program Standards

Composition 

Final admission in junior year; in addition to fulfillment requirements, all candidates must submit a portfolio of compositions and undergo an oral examination at the end of sophomore year.

Music Therapy 

Final admission in junior year; in addition to fulfillment requirements, all candidates must submit a portfolio of clinical experience and will be evaluated at the end of sophomore year.

Performance 

Provisional acceptance is determined by an applied music jury at the end of the freshman year unless a postponement to the middle of the sophomore year is requested by the major teacher. Full admission is delayed until after a sophomore recital and/or demonstration of a solid grasp of technical aspects of the performing medium, and genuine musicality and sensitivity.  Keyboard students are expected to accompany at a level of ability designated by their teachers and to participate actively in the musical life of MSU and the community. 

Music Education 

Final admission is granted only after an interview and review of credentials in the sophomore year.

Applied Music Standards

Applied music lessons are required for all undergraduate programs and most graduate programs, as noted in your curriculum roadmap and DegreeWorks.  An applied music fee, in addition to tuition, must be paid for private instruction. In conjunction with applied music, students enroll in performance practicum and typically perform at least once a semester, as determined by faculty.  Applied music instruction beyond the program requirements requires approval.

Ensemble Standards

The ensemble policy is based on the principle that all students must perform in ensemble(s) every semester of their attendance at MSU in order to assure the broadest possible experience in important ensemble repertoire and to assure that these ensembles have the needed instrumentation for successful performance.  Although minimum requirements vary with each concentration, this principle is the overriding one. Students are expected to perform in their primary ensemble during each semester of attendance. A 3.0 Cumulative GPA is recommended in order to continue involvement in ensembles. Students may be assigned by the school director to an ensemble in accordance with the needs of the school, regardless of the completion by the student of the minimum requirements. Where admission to a chamber ensemble is by audition and a student fails to gain admission, additional performance in a large ensemble may, with the director's consent, be substituted. Chamber ensembles must perform once a semester, either in a recital or for a jury.

Any changes in the ensemble policy will be posted in the Cali School.

Registration Requirements

• Students must be officially registered for the courses they are attending. Faculty are responsible for ensuring that all students in their classes are on the Registrar’s official class lists. Students cannot register for a course after the semester has been completed.
• Students must be registered full time in order to enroll in applied music (lessons). Secondary lessons must be approved by the Director and require a cumulative 3.0 GPA, at least 2 semesters at Cali and a B or better in primary applied music study.  Students approved for secondary lessons must also be registered in their primary area of applied music.