Curriculum

A checklist version of your curriculum is always available on the Current Students page. Use it, along with an academic audit, to determine your progress towards completing the requirements for your degree. You can view and print your academic record, including an academic audit, along with other information, at any time at the HUB.

Required Major Studio and Major Ensemble

Major studio and major ensemble are co­‐requisite courses. This means that if you are an undergraduate music major or a graduate orchestral instrument major, you must register for both courses each semester. If you drop one of the courses, you must also drop the other course. However, you could conceivably pass one of the courses (for example, Major Instrumental Ensemble) and fail the other course (for example, Major Studio).

If applicable, you must complete and submit an online Chamber Music Request Form for either a group or string quartet. The School of Music will add the course to your schedule. Chamber Music study may be arranged only with a coach approved by the School of Music. 

Collaborative Piano

You must complete and submit a Collaborative Piano Request Form (available under Registration Forms and in HOA 141). The School of Music will add the course to your schedule.  

Elective Private Studio Lessons

Elective private studio lessons are available to music majors through the Music Extension Division and involve additional fees. Studio lessons mandated by your curriculum do not involve additional fees. 

Independent Study

You must complete and submit an Independent Study Permission Form (available under Registration Forms and in HOA 141). The School of Music will add the course to your schedule.  Independent Study may be arranged only with a full-­time faculty member.

Please take full advantage of the assistance provided you by the Director of Student Services (HOA 141) or the Director of Graduate Studies (HOA 131) in planning your class schedule and determining your remaining requirements for graduation.

Detailed instructions for registration are always available on the Current Students page or in HOA 141.

Especially note these general rules: 

• DO stay on schedule for fulfilling your Music Support requirements. (You should plan to take an average of one Music Support class every semester).
• DON'T get behind with your units. (You must have completed a total of 144 units to graduate).
• DON'T overload. (You must request special permission if you wish to register for more than 48 units).
• DO petition (form found here or in HOA 141) for approval to register for less than 36 units. (Graduate students are required to register for 36 units each semester in residence).
• DO petition (form found here or in HOA 141) for approval to register for undergraduate level classes beyond the 12 undergraduate units (restrictions apply) permitted to count as elective units.

• DO stay on schedule for fulfilling your Music Support and General Studies requirements. You should plan to take an average of two Music Support classes every junior and senior semester and one General Studies class every semester.
• DON'T get behind with your units. (You must have completed the total number of units required in your curriculum to graduate).
• DON'T overload. (You must request special permission if you wish to register for more than 58 or 70 units. The number of units is based on your QPA).
• DO petition (form found here or in HOA 141) for approval to drop required School of Music classes.

• Take what you've forgotten to first, then take what you're supposed to second, then take what you want to third.
• Required classes take priority over elective classes, which take priority over nonacademic appointments.
• Submit a General Petition form to request permission to delay or drop a required music course. (form found here or in HOA 141).

Undergraduate Financial Aid

Need-Based Aid
Financial aid for undergraduate students at Carnegie Mellon University is need-based. If your financial situation changes, adjustments may be made in your financial aid package. You should see one of the financial aid specialists at The Hub for help with any financial problem. The School of Music has extremely limited financial resources to help with financial problems.

Special Prizes
A limited number of prizes are awarded each year to School of Music students in good academic standing. These awards have specific requirements and are administered by the School Head in consultation with the faculty. All students who are eligible for special scholarships are considered; students need not apply.

Graduate Financial Aid

School of Music Assistance
School of Music graduate financial aid is divided into two categories: fellowships and assistantships. Fellowships are awarded on the basis of merit. Assistantships are awarded on the basis of qualifications for assistantship positions. An assistantship position is meant to enrich the educational experience by allowing students to work closely with the graduate faculty and administrators, using and developing the student’s abilities and interests to advantage. No assistantship should interfere with classes, study, or practice, nor require duties other than those specified for the assistantship position. Assistantships should not require more than 10 hours per week.

University assistance
Limited need-based graduate financial aid is available from Carnegie Mellon University. 

Employment

Jobs in the School of Music
The School of Music employs a number of students in work-study positions during the academic year. Available positions are announced at the beginning of the fall semester and as needed during the school year. Preference is given to music majors. Students need not have a work-study subsidy included in their financial aid packages to apply.

Work-study positions in the School should not interfere with study and practice. A position that requires more than 10 hours per week is subject to administrative review. Rate per hour and raises are determined by qualifications, task difficulty, and job performance. Work-study students are paid bi-weekly during the academic year. Students will log hours in the Carnegie Mellon Workday system and hours will be approved by their supervisor. It is the responsibility of the student to keep track of hours and log them before the end of the pay period.

Jobs on Campus
Information about other employment opportunities on campus is available through the Career Center. 

Undergraduate Policy for Transfer Credit at Carnegie Mellon University

Click here. Click on "Grades, Transfer Credit, Advanced Placement" for the University Policy.

Graduate Policy for Transfer Credit in the School of Music

Normally, graduate credit earned at other institutions will not be accepted toward a graduate program at Carnegie Mellon. Students may petition for an exception to this policy to the Curriculum Committee. The petition must include the approval of the applicable faculty. No more than 36 units total and no more than 9 units of Major Studio may be transferred for graduate credit at Carnegie Mellon. A candidate for the Master of Music degree must complete at Carnegie Mellon a minimum of three semesters of full-time study, or the equivalent of part-time study, comprising at least 108 units of course work.

Undergraduate music students may double count any course for their music major simultaneously with a second music major or a music minor, while in the process of completing the requirements for all of the major(s) and/or minor(s).

• Double-counting is not permitted with a major or a minor that has been completed.
• Double-counting is not permitted between different performance areas of the same music major, for example, between Music Performance (Clarinet) and Music Performance (Oboe).

All music courses that are unique to a music major or a music minor must be completed as specified in the major or the minor curriculum without double-counting or substitution.

All non-music courses that could count towards a music major or a music minor (and towards a non-music major or a non-music minor), may be double-counted as determined by the home academic department of the non-music major or non-music minor.

Class Attendance

School of Music students are expected to adhere to all attendance policies for those classes for which they are registered and all final examinations required for those classes at the times scheduled by the University and by the School of Music. Each member of the School of Music faculty has an attendance policy specific to his/her classes, which are made available at the start of every semester. You may request a clarification of the attendance policy if questions remain; however, under no circumstances should attendance in School of Music classes ever be considered optional. All required courses are essential for your professional development.  Classes may not be missed for rehearsals, lessons, or coachings. You must not assume that either private work with a faculty member or attendance at a master class is automatically constitutes an excused absence. To petition to be excused, you must submit a Petition (Excused Absence) (also available in HOA 141).

Private Studio Attendance

Students are guaranteed the opportunity to take 14 fifty-­minute private studio lessons per semester. It is never acceptable to miss a lesson without contacting the professor in advance. Studio instructors are under no obligation to make up missed studio lessons, and unexcused absences will adversely affect the students' grades.

Ensemble Attendance

All Carnegie Mellon music majors will be held to a professional standard of behavior, and this includes while participating in ensembles. Grading for ensembles depends in part upon attendance, dependability, overall cooperation, and musicianship. The director of each ensemble will state the specific attendance policy for the group at the beginning of the academic year. Policies on excused absences vary within the various activities of the School, and should be clearly understood at the outset. Students are responsible for knowing these policies and following them. 

Convocation / Graduate Forum Attendance

School of Music Convocations and Graduate Forums take place each Thursday from 1:30-2:20pm in Kresge Recital Hall. These meetings bring the School together for special programs, designed to enrich the educational experience. The yearly schedule of convocations includes guest artists, guest lecturers, career seminars, and departmental meetings. All undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts music majors are required to attend Convocation every Thursday during every semester in residence as a graduation requirement. All graduate Master of Music majors are required to attend Graduate Forum as announced during every semester in residence. Attendance is taken.

If an opportunity arises that does not conflict with any of your School responsibilities, check with your studio teacher for advice. If an opportunity comes up that conflicts with your responsibilities either during the semester or at the beginning of the semester or at the end of the semester, but it appears to be a rare opportunity, check with your studio teacher and with the professor(s) whose class(es) or rehearsal(s) you would need to miss. You must not commit yourself until you have received permission to participate from the School, and in the case of an audition opportunity, until you have contacted the applicable organization about scheduling your audition to minimize conflicts with your School of Music responsibilities. You must submit a Petition (Excused Absence) (also available in HOA 141).

Class and Ensemble Grades

Grading for School of Music classes and ensembles follows the University Policies for Grading. Specifically, grading for School of Music classes is based on the requirements outlined in the syllabus for the class; grading for School of Music ensembles is based on the requirements stated in the written policies for the ensemble, which may include attendance.

Studio Grades

Studio is the heart of your professional training as a musician. The studio grade is based on your fulfillment of the requirements outlined by your studio teacher for the semester as demonstrated by the product of both your talent and effort. The following scale reflects what each grade means:

A - To receive an “A”, you must be demonstrating the highest level of proficiency based on the standard expected at your particular level of studio training. You must have an excellent record in the following areas:

• performance in juries and/or recitals, 
• progress during the semester,
• with mastery of required work

B - To receive a “B”, you must be demonstrating an above-average level of proficiency based on the standard expected at your particular level of studio training. You must have a good record in the following areas:

• performance in juries and/or recitals,
• progress during the semester,
• with effective completion of required work 

C - To receive a “C”, you must be demonstrating an average level of proficiency based on the standard expected at your particular level of studio training. You must have a satisfactory record in the following areas:

• performance in juries and/or recitals,
• progress during the semester,
• with minimum completion of required work

Since "average" playing or composing may not be enough to sustain a career in music performance or composition, the faculty considers a "C" grade in the major studio area as an indication of either insufficient ability or undistinguished work as demonstrated during the semester.

Upon the recommendation of the studio teacher, a student may be placed on academic warning or receive a letter of concern whenever he/she receives a "C" in the studio area.

D - To receive a “D”, you must be demonstrating a poor level of proficiency based on the standard expected at your particular level of studio training. You must have a

passing record in the following areas:

• performance in juries and/or recitals,
• progress during the semester,
• with partial and/or ineffective completion of required work

A student will be placed on academic action whenever he/she receives a "D" in the studio area. The student may, at the discretion of the faculty, be dropped  from the program.

R - To receive an “R”, you must be demonstrating an unacceptable level of proficiency based on the standard expected at your particular level of studio training. You must have a failing record in the following areas:

• performance in juries and/or recitals,
• progress during the semester,
• with failure of required work

A student will be placed on academic action whenever he/she receives an "R" in the studio area. The student may, at the discretion of the faculty, be dropped from the program.

College of Fine Arts Academic Standards

Academic Actions

The College of Fine Arts reviews every CFA student’s academic performance and progress towards graduation at the end of each semester. If a student’s academic record falls below the standards outlined in their student handbook, they receive an academic action.  These actions are designed to notify the student of specific academic and graduation requirements, outline goals for completion, and identify avenues of support to help them succeed.

A student who is not making satisfactory progress toward meeting course standards, or toward completing graduation requirements in their declared degree path, will receive an academic action.  Each academic action will be reviewed by the relevant school’s appointed reviewers and then confirmed by the CFA Academic Advisory Committee, which makes the final decision. The CFA Dean’s office will disseminate the academic action letters directly to the students and their advisors via their CMU email. 

Actions are assigned based on the most recent semester under review but include a cumulative review of a student’s performance to date. The actions listed below may be given out of sequence, if a student meets the listed criteria. 

Incomplete grades will be conditionally actioned by the default grades until the student completes the missing coursework. If the student does not complete their missing coursework by the faculty deadline agreed upon, their default grade and action will become permanent. 

In order to support academic success, a student placed on an escalated academic action (probation and final probation) is not permitted to overload, undertake independent studies, or study abroad until they return to good standing. (See school/program handbook for specifics.)

WARNING

A Warning notifies the student of unsatisfactory performance and suggests that the student take steps to determine and correct the cause of the difficulty. Warnings are issued when one or more of the listed criteria are met within the semester under review:

•     Receiving an R, D, or N in one elective or general education course;
•     Failure to complete the semester’s coursework as required by the student’s major curriculum (one course);
•     Failure to earn the minimum 2.00 quality point average.

If the student meets new actionable criteria in the following semesters, they may be assigned an escalated academic action.

PROBATION

Probation notifies the student of severe and/or continuous performance issues and suggests that the student take immediate steps to correct the cause of the difficulty. A previous action is not required. A student will be placed on Probation for failure to meet the academic and professional standards of their program including:

• Receiving one or more R, D, N, or W grade(s) in a required major course(s);
• Receiving two or more R, D, N, or W grades in elective or general education courses (either during one semester or over two semesters);
• Failure to complete the semester’s coursework as required by the student’s major curriculum (either two or more courses during one semester or over multiple semesters);
• Failure to earn the minimum 2.00 quality point average.

In order to return to good standing, a student must:

• Receive a C or better in all courses in the next semester;   
• Complete required courses within the defined school timeline;
• Have a minimum of 2.00 QPA.

If the student does not meet these standards, they may continue on Probation or be assigned a successive academic action.

Students who are on academic Probation have restrictions from participating in some school, college, and university activities, including eligibility for study abroad or school awards. Refer to school/program handbooks for specific information.

FINAL PROBATION

A student will be placed on Final Probation for continued poor performance, or for continued failure to meet the requirements of their declared degree path, as outlined under the previous section on Probation. At least one previous action (warning and/or probation) must have been assigned prior to assigning final probation. 

• Receiving multiple R, D, N, or W grades in a required major course(s) for two or more semesters;
• Receiving three or more R, D, N, or W grades in elective or general education courses over multiple semesters;

• Failure to complete the semester’s coursework as required by the student’s major curriculum (three or more semesters);
• Continued failure to earn the minimum 2.00 quality point average (two or more semesters).

In order to return to good standing, a student must:

• Receive a C or better in all courses in the next semester;   
• Complete required courses within the defined school timeline;
• Have a minimum of 2.00 QPA.

If the student does not meet these standards, they may continue on Final Probation or be assigned a successive academic action.

Students who are on academic Final Probation have restrictions from participating in some school, college, and university activities, including eligibility for study abroad or school awards. Refer to school/program handbooks for specific information.

ACADEMIC SUSPENSION

All University Suspensions are a required, temporary leave from the university. This document covers Academic Suspension from the University. (For more information on Disciplinary Suspension or Administrative Suspension visit the student life sections on the university website:

https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/suspension-required-withdrawal-policy.html).

An Academic Suspension is intended to allow the student time to address or rectify any issues impeding or affecting their performance and progress towards meeting the academic standards of their declared degree path. The student is required to temporarily withdraw from the university for a specific period as defined in their suspension letter. Return from suspension is also subject to the conditions specified in the suspension letter and approval of the CFA Dean’s office.  At least two previous actions must have been assigned prior to assigning Academic Suspension. 

A student will be placed on Academic Suspension for:

• Continued history of poor academic performance (three or more semesters);
• Continued lack of progress towards their declared degree (three or more semesters);

• Continued failure to meet the requirements of their declared degree path for continuing in the program; (three or more semesters)

• Failure to earn the minimum 2.00 quality point average. (three or more semesters)

A student returning from an Academic Suspension will be placed on Probation for the semester. In order to return to good standing, a student must:

• Receive a C or better in all courses in the next semester;   
• Complete required courses within the defined school timeline;
• Have a minimum of 2.00 QPA.

If the student does not meet these standards, they may be considered for an Academic Drop.

A student who has been suspended from the university is required to leave the campus, including residence halls and fraternity/sorority houses, within a maximum of two days after the action and to remain off the campus for the duration of the time specified in the suspension letter. In addition, the student may not:

• register for courses at Carnegie Mellon
• attend classes
• live in residence halls or fraternity/sorority housing
• use campus facilities, including athletic facilities, library and computer clusters
• participate in student activities
• be members of student organizations
• have student jobs

(Note: students on academic suspension may still be eligible for a summer campus job if they accepted the job before they were suspended.) Go to the university policy webpage on student life for more information on a University Suspension:

https://www.cmu.edu/policies/student-and-student-life/suspension-required-withdrawal-policy.html

ACADEMIC DROP

Students receive an Academic Drop from their School only when the student’s academic progress is insufficient to warrant continuing in the current professional field of study. This action terminates the student’s enrollment in their current School/Program but is not intended to prejudice admission to another academic program within Carnegie Mellon University, or to another institution. Once a student receives an Academic Drop they may choose to:

1. Transfer to another CMU Department or School. Noting that the student must successfully transfer prior to resuming study at Carnegie Mellon.
2. Withdraw from Carnegie Mellon University. A link to the application for Withdrawal/Leave of Absence form is embedded with the letter notifying the student of this academic action, and is also available at www.cmu.edu/hub.

School of Music Master of Music General Academic Requirements and Academic Actions

Students who are accepted to begin work in the master of music program at Carnegie Mellon University are not automatic candidates for the degree. They must complete 36 units (12 credit hours) of graduate courses with a cumulative QPA of at least 3.0 before they may be considered as candidates for the master of music. Furthermore, the grade of at least a B must be earned each semester in the student’s major area.

All master of music candidates are required either to pass basic competency examinations in music history and theory, or if failing to pass the examination, then to pass with a grade of B- or better the appropriate graduate courses before they may receive the degree. All competency examinations and/or coursework must be completed before registering for the third semester of study at Carnegie Mellon.

Master of music candidates in performance must perform a minimum of one full recital. All master of music candidates must pass a comprehensive review in their major area. Successful completion of this review is a requirement for graduation.

Students will complete all requirements for the master’s degree within a maximum of seven years from original matriculation as a master’s student, or less if required by a more restrictive department, school or college policy. Once this time-to-degree limit has lapsed, the person may resume work towards a master’s degree only if newly admitted to a currently offered master’s degree program under criteria determined by that program.  Under extenuating circumstances, such as leave of absence, military or public service, family or parental leave, or temporary disability, a college/school may, upon the relevant department's recommendation and with the written approval of the dean (or designate), defer the lapse for a period commensurate with the duration of that interruption. Students who are pursuing the master’s degree as part-time students for all semesters of their program, as approved by their program, may also appeal to their program or department for extension of the time to degree limit.  This rule will apply to all master’s students matriculating at Carnegie Mellon University beginning in Fall 2012. The applicable previous Master’s Student Statute of Limitations policy will apply to a master’s student who matriculated at Carnegie Mellon University previous to Fall 2012. 

Normally, graduate credit earned at other institutions will not be accepted toward a graduate program at Carnegie Mellon. Students may petition for an exception to this policy.

Students will receive a “WARNING” if they fail to maintain professional standards in a required course or a cumulative 3.0 QPA. Warning action is intended to notify students of unsatisfactory work, so that they may take steps to determine and correct the difficulty. Graduate students may be dropped from their programs at any time if the faculty believes that they are failing to maintain the professional standards of the school or failing to make sufficient progress during any semester.

Revision adopted by the Academic Division, 3/21/13

Alternativley, a School of Music student can be nominated for College Honors by any member of the School of Music faculty, full or part time. The nominating faculty member, if not the student’s studio instructor, must obtain the studio instructor’s approval of or acquiescence to the nomination. The student’s case does not move forward in the event of an objection by the studio instructor. The nominating faculty member will take the student’s case to the relevant School of Music division where the case will be discussed, and a vote taken. A simple majority of ‘yes’ votes will move the case to the school's Division Chairs committee. The nominating faculty member will present the case regarding the student to the Division Chairs committee. This will be followed by a report from the chair of the division in which the case began regarding the discussion and final vote. Further testimony regarding the student’s case can be given by any faculty member. The chair will entertain motions to award College Honors. A simple majority of ‘yes’ votes in the Division Chairs committee will cause the student to be awarded College Honors.

No faculty member should inform the student of the nomination until the process is finished and College Honors are awarded. If the case fails, the student should not be made aware of the effort.

Graduation with University Honors

A student is eligible for graduation with university honors when his/her cumulative

Q.P.A. is at least 3.5.