Graduate Music Degree Timeline

1. Complete the Graduate Application for Admission.

2. Complete the Graduate Application for Music Study.

3. Submit the Graduate Application for Assistantships, if desired – due February 1^st for Fall Semester.

4. Take the Graduate Music Diagnostic Exam – Spring Semester (before January 6) & Fall Semester (before August 18).

• Online Examination to be completed before the dates listed above for placement into Music Literature and Theory courses.  Please contact Dr. Jeremy Benson (JLBenson@jsu.edu) to access this exam.  All exams are given virtually at the convenience of the student.
• Music History Graduate Diagnostic Prep Guide
  1. Graduate Study Guide for Music History Diagnostic Exam
• Music Theory Graduate Diagnostic Prep Guide
  1. Diatonic Harmony Review
  2. Chromatic Harmony Review
  3. Harmonic Analysis
  4. Score ID Instructions
  5. Score Identification

5. Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Jeremy Benson, Graduate Studies Advisor, for Advisement before registering for classes (JLBenson@jsu.edu).

• Develop a Graduate Course of Study with the graduate music studies advisor during the first semester.

6. Complete Graduate Application for Comprehensive Exam/Degree.

-AND-

7. Submit Final Semester Plan after the completion of 26 credit hours.

• GRADUATION DEADLINES:
  • January 13, 2026 for Spring Graduation
  • May 8, 2026 for Summer Graduation
  • August 25, 2026 for Fall Graduation

8. Take Written Comprehensive Exam:

     Spring: Schedule the week of March 16, 2026
     Fall: Schedule the week of November 2, 2026

• PART I Music Theory and Music History
• PART II Education and Research Methods, Music History and/or Area of Specialization

9. Take Oral Comprehensive Exam – IF REQUIRED:  Individually scheduled with the candidate's committee members.