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Graduate Studies - Frequently Asked Questions
The following are frequently
asked questions by prospective graduate students.
What are the deadlines for admission and graduate
assistantship consideration?
In order to receive full consideration for
admission, graduate assistantships, and scholarships
for the next academic year, you should have
your application materials in no later than
February 15, and you should complete your audition,
if required, by March 15. Note that the deadline
for Graduate College Fellowships and Thurgood
Marshall Fellowships is firm at February 15.
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What kinds of financial aid are available
and how do I apply?
Financial aid in the School of Music is available
in two forms: graduate assistantships and scholarships.
Refer to the Graduate Assistantships section
of this web site for more information about
graduate assistantship opportunities. Scholarships
are awarded on an audition basis by the applied
areas. Consult with the professor of your instrument
for information regarding scholarship availability.
Other financial
aid may be available through the Office
of Financial Aid or
the Graduate
College.
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How much of my tuition and fees will my graduate
assistantship award pay?
The most current
figures for tuition and estimated costs of
attending WMU can be found at the WMU Financial
Aid Web site.
www.wmich.edu/finaid/4-costs/costs.html
The current graduate assistantship
information can be found on the graduate assistantship appointment page.
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Once I am admitted how do I determine what
courses to take?
You must take the proficiency exams in music
theory and music history before your first
enrollment. After the proficiency exams are
evaluated you will meet with the Graduate Coordinator
of Music to determine your course of study.
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What are the proficiency exams in music history
and music theory? Do I have to take them? When
do I take them? What happens if I fail part
or all of the exam?
All entering
graduate students must take the proficiency
exams in music theory and music
history prior to initial enrollment. The results
of these exams are used to advise you regarding
any additional course work you may need in
those areas to better prepare you for graduate
study. If you fail all or part of the exams
on your initial attempt you may take the parts
you failed one additional time. You may download
review sheets for the proficiency exams at
the Graduate
Forms page.
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I want to pursue a MM in Music Therapy but
my undergraduate degree is not in music therapy.
Can I still do this?
If your undergraduate
degree is in music but not in music therapy
you may apply for admission
to the Music Therapy Equivalency Program. In
this program you are admitted as a graduate
student but take the undergraduate music therapy
course sequence leading to Music Therapy Board
Certification (MT BC). After your initial year
you may start taking graduate courses in music
therapy, eventually leading to the MM in Music
Therapy. It usually takes at least three years
to complete MT BC and the graduate coursework,
not including the thesis.
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Can I transfer graduate credits from another
university to my degree program at Western
Michigan University? If so, how many and what
is the procedure?
You may transfer as many as six approved credits
from another university to your graduate degree
at Western Michigan University. The procedure
is to submit a transcript to the Graduate Coordinator
documenting the courses you wish to transfer.
The Graduate Coordinator will determine whether
to accept the credits and how many credits
are eligible for transfer.
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What are the admission procedures for international
students?
International
students should initiate application procedures
through the Office
of International Student Services. OISS
will help you with admission, visa, financial,
and TOEFL requirements.
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What are the TOEFL requirements for non-native
English speakers in the Western Michigan University
School of Music?
In graduate music education and
music therapy the minimum acceptable TOEFL
score for admission is 575 TOEFL or 233 CBT.
In all other music graduate programs it is
525 TOEFL or 197 CBT.
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I am a music teacher who needs graduate credits
to renew my teacher certification or to start
my masters degree. Do you have a summer music
education program for in-service teachers?
Our 4-Summer Music Education program is designed
specifically to meet the needs of in-service
music teachers. Go to the 4-Summer Music Education
part of this web site for more information.
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I am finishing my masters degree
requirements and need to apply for graduation.
How do I do that?
You need to complete
and submit the "Application for Graduation Audit--Graduate
Level" form. You can download it from
the Registrar's web site at www.wmich.edu/registrar/pdf/forms/graduationapplication.pdf
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