04.00 Undergraduate Academic Policy & Curriculum

04.00	General
04.01	Curriculum
04.02	Course Load
04.03	Transfer credit for matriculated students who enter as first-time first-years
04.04	Advanced standing
04.05	Set-aside Credit towards Graduate Study
04.06	Double majors
04.07	Minors and certificates (non-music)
04.08	Transfer students
04.09	Dual degree program
04.10	Special programs
04.11	Absence policy
04.12	Grading policies and procedures
04.13	Progress towards degree completion
04.14	Graduation/Commencement

04.00 General

The Bachelor of Music degree may be pursued with a major in applied music (performance), composition, music education, jazz and contemporary media, musical arts, and theory.

[back to top]

04.00.01 Residency requirements

It is expected that Bachelor of Music degree students, including those pursuing a double major, will complete their degrees through a minimum of eight semesters of full-time study during the regular academic year. A semester of full-time enrollment comprises courses totaling a minimum of 12 credits. Note that satisfactory academic progress in the Bachelor of Music curriculum generally requires an average of 15 credits per semester. Students who require additional semesters beyond the eight semesters to complete their degree do so with the understanding that:

the added semesters may be part-time enrollment,
neither applied music study nor participation in the School’s large ensembles will be available during the added semesters, and
financial aid from the School will normally not be available to support these added semesters.

Dual degree students (those pursuing both a Bachelor of Music degree at Eastman and a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree at the University’s College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering) are allowed up to ten full-time semesters.

All Eastman School of Music Bachelor of Music degrees must be completed within 6 years, or 12 semesters of coursework, and up to 2 years of inactive status registration from the date of matriculation. If a student has not completed their degree within the allotted number of semesters, it will be necessary to reapply for admission and re-audition for studio placement. The Academic Progress Committee will monitor this requirement as part of the Academic Progress Review at the conclusion of each semester. Exceptions to this policy will be considered by petition to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. (Update approved by the Academic Progress Committee, May 1, 2011)

[back to top]

04.00.02 Continuous Undergraduate Registration

Undergraduates are required to be continuously registered at the Eastman School of Music. This means that undergraduate students must register every fall and spring semester from their first semester of study until their degree is completed.

There are two options that enable undergraduate students to maintain continuous enrollment when not registered for coursework. Both require approval from the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. International students with an F-1 or H-1 visa status must also obtain approval from the International Services Office. Students intending to register for one of these two options must have it approved in advance of the first day of classes for each semester except in extraordinary circumstances. The two registration options are as follows:

6ESM 385 Inactive Status – Undergraduate Leave of Absence
6SAB 200 Study Abroad

Students who do not register for more than one academic semester may be administratively withdrawn on the first day of the second semester in which they have not registered. The withdrawal will be retroactive to the end of the student’s last active semester. Should students wish to return to degree studies after having been withdrawn, they must reapply for admission to Eastman and re-audition for studio placement.

Approved by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee 2/5/2009

[back to top]

04.00.03 Re-admission to the Undergraduate Degree Program

Students who have not been continuously registered for more than one semester, or students who have been on inactive status for more than four semesters, must re-apply for admission and re-audition for studio placement. Applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Office of Academic Affairs. Students readmitted to a degree will be required to fulfill the requirements in their program of study that are in place at the time of their readmission. Exceptions to this policy will be considered by petition to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs on a case-by-case basis.

Documentation for the reasons or circumstances for the student’s absence must be given; in addition, extra materials (such as tapes or CDs, research papers, and the like) may be required by the department. (Update approved by Undergraduate Curriculum Committee 2/5/2009).

[back to top]

04.01 Curriculum

Individual Audit Sheets for the BM Degree Bachelor of Music Degree Requirements for Applied Music Majors Bachelor of Music Degree Requirements (other majors)

[back to top]

04.01.01 Core curriculum

The components of the Bachelor of Music degree common to all majors are referred to as the core curriculum. Each major features specific departmental requirements above and beyond the core which, when combined, will total a minimum of 120 credits necessary for the Bachelor of Music degree. Any variations or exceptions to the core curriculum are noted under specific degree program listings.

[back to top]

04.01.01.01 Performance component

Eight semesters of applied lessons

All undergraduate students in the Bachelor of Music degree program will be assigned to a faculty studio for their applied lessons.

Each year, through the junior year, students will be expected to pass a jury performed before a faculty panel; piano majors are expected to perform an additional jury in their senior year. If, for some extenuating circumstances, such as health or injury issues, a student cannot take their jury as scheduled, they will be assigned a grade of “incomplete” for that semester’s lessons and will be expected to fulfill the jury requirement in the following semester.

Large ensemble experience

All undergraduate students are required to complete from two to eight semesters in large ensembles, such as orchestra, wind ensemble, or chorus, as required by the major.

Keyboard proficiency

All undergraduates are expected to develop functional keyboard skills. This proficiency requirement can either be demonstrated through examination or through successful completion of piano class, as required by the major.

[back to top]

04.01.01.02 Music academic component

The theory core curriculum

On the basis of theory placement exams administered before the start of the fall semester, students are sorted into one of three groups: those ready to enter the regular theory core, those needing fundamentals before entering the core, and honors students.

Students who place into the regular theory core are required to take five semesters of theory coursework. The regular core, which begins in the spring of the first year, begins with three written theory courses (TH110, TH120, TH210) and three corresponding aural skills courses (TH115, TH125, TH215). The fourth semester, taken in the fall of the third year, is an integrated written and aural skills course (TH220). After finishing this four-course sequence, students complete the fifth semester of their core theory requirement by taking an upper-level theory elective (TH230) that focuses on a specialized topic.

Students who need additional background work before beginning the regular theory theory core are placed into fundamentals-oriented written theory (TH100) and aural skills (TH105) courses in the fall of the first year. These students complete their five-semester core theory requirement after finishing TH220; they are not required to take TH230, although they may elect to do so.

The honors (H) sequence is intended for students who have significant previous theory background. The regular five-semester core curriculum is condensed into four semesters of integrated written theory and aural skills work that progresses at a quicker pace than the regular track. Note that students in the honors sequence must maintain a minimum course grade of B, or they will be reassigned to the regular theory core.

Failure of either a core written theory or aural skills course requires that the student register for the course again (offered one full year after the initial registration), and the student will be unable to move on in the overall course sequence until a passing grade has been achieved. Should a student fail three or more written theory or aural skills courses, this will be considered unsatisfactory progress towards degree completion and may lead to dismissal from the School.

Linked written theory and aural skills courses (e.g. TH110 & TH115) are usually taken concurrently, and core courses may not be taken out of sequence except in very exceptional circumstances. Individual cases must be supported by strong justification (e.g., medical reasons) and must be approved by the theory department chair and the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs prior to registration.

Three semesters of music history

Three music history survey courses (MHS121, 122 and 123) that trace the development of music from the ninth century to the present are required of all undergraduates. In addition to the study and analysis of the musical literature of the time, the cultural and performing contexts in which the music has been created are examined. Diverse styles of music throughout history are explored: Western and non-Western, “classical,” and popular, as are perspectives on issues of gender, folk, and popular musics.

One music academic elective: an upper division course in music history or theory

In addition to the core theory and music history sequences, students must take a 3-credit music academic elective. This is an upper division course (numbered 200 or higher) in either music history or theory, such as counterpoint, or any special topics music history course.

For students with a double major in music education and performance, this requirement is met by the combination of a jazz theory course (JCM201) with a composition course (orchestration or choral arranging), found within the music education major.

(Updated 3/31/21)

[back to top]

04.01.01.03 Colloquium (EIC101)

This is a one-semester presentation series that introduces students to the broad scope of music and musicians at the Eastman School; it emphasizes the practical aspects of music as well as the philosophical, pedagogical, historical, and social underpinnings of music practices in the broadest sense.

[back to top]

04.01.01.04 Humanities/Science elective component

The Eastman School expects all of its students to explore a diverse range of academic disciplines, develop strong intellectual perspectives, and be able to voice these convincingly. The Humanities Department fosters curiosity and engages students in the study of literature, languages, film, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, and art history. In these courses students read widely, think critically, and learn to write effectively. Our department’s courses enable students to reflect intelligently on their place in contemporary culture, and prepare them to assume roles of principled cultural leadership.

The 24-credit Humanities and Sciences Requirement has two components:

Humanities Core Course: The three-credit First-Year Writing Seminar (FWS 121) is a “core” course, required of all students.
Elective Courses: All students are required to take a minimum of 21 additional credits. Elective courses must carry at least three credits each, and may be taken either in the Eastman Humanities Department or in the School of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering. Transfer-credits from other colleges and universities must be approved by the Humanities chair or the Office of Academic Affairs.

The Core Course: The First-Year Writing Seminar (FWS 121)

The First-Year Writing Seminar introduces first-semester students to college-level inquiry and analysis by focusing on critical thinking and academic writing. In individual sections, the discussion of literary, historical, philosophical, or art historical topics will serve as the basis for writing assignments. Students will work closely with their instructors, peers, and the Eastman Writing Center to produce work of increasing complexity. Students should consult the descriptions of the individual sections before registering.

TRANSFER STUDENTS: Students who have completed, with a grade of “B-” or better, an equivalent writing course at another accredited college before transferring to the Eastman School of Music may be exempt from FWS 121. Any exemption must be granted by the Humanities Department Chair. Students may be asked to present a syllabus and examples of work completed in the courses taken previously.

ESL STUDENTS: Incoming international students will meet with Academic Affairs during international student orientation before classes begin to discuss appropriate placement in ESL courses. Undergraduate students who take ESL 103 and ESL 104 count these

courses toward the degree requirements; these students then take FWS 121 in their sophomore year.

RIVER CAMPUS RECIPROCITY: Successful completion of the College’s Primary Writing Requirement will satisfy the FWS 121 core requirement at the Eastman School of Music.

Elective Courses: at least 21 credits (BM)

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR ELECTIVES: All courses must carry at least three semester-hours of credit. Normally no more than four semester-hours of credit will be granted for a single course. A student who desires to take a course for five credits or more must have the permission of the Humanities Department Chair or the Office of Academic Affairs.

Any course whose primary listing (parent course) is associated with the Departments of Music Teaching and Learning, Music Theory, Musicology, and/or the College Music Department does not count toward the Humanities and Sciences requirement. BCS 260 is the exception: it may be counted as a Humanities OR Music Theory elective, but not both.

Courses may be taken in many different disciplines or be focused in one area of study. In addition to the courses offered by the Eastman School’s Humanities Department, students may also choose among any School of Arts & Sciences and Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences courses that are acceptable for a major or minor at the River Campus.

Students can earn an Area Studies Certificate (ASC) at the Eastman School of Music by taking at least three courses in one of seven disciplines: French, German, Italian, Film Studies, Theater and Performance, Literature, or Politics. Please see the description for the ASC Program below.

TRANSFER CREDITS FOR MATRICULATED STUDENTS

At least 18 of the total 24 humanities and sciences credits must be taken at the University of Rochester, either in the Eastman School of Music or in the School of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering. Courses offered in the UR summer sessions are acceptable. Matriculated students who wish to take their humanities and sciences courses at another institution (up to 6 credits) must obtain prior authorization from the Chair of the Humanities Department or the Office of Academic Affairs to verify the course will fulfill Eastman graduation requirements. Whenever possible, the student should be prepared to indicate the requirements of the course, including the number of hours to be spent in class, and to present a copy of the course description. Online courses from outside the University of Rochester will not be accepted.

Collegiate-level courses taken during high school may be considered for humanities transfer credit if they satisfy all of the following conditions:

They were not taken in fulfillment of any high school degree requirement.
They do not appear on the high school transcript.
They are not included in the high school G.P.A. calculation.

If granted, such transfer credits count toward and are subject to the 6-credit limit mentioned above. Students may be asked to provide appropriate supporting documentation from the school district.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Advanced Placement exam scores may earn a student advanced standing but, with the exception of double majors, no credit will be granted towards the Humanities and Sciences requirement on the basis of such scores.

“Advanced Standing”: Students with sufficient AP scores may be exempt from introductory-level courses and be able to place directly into higher-level classes. No credit will be granted for the exempted course (unless the student is a double major—see below). Those seeking such standing should consult with the appropriate chair, program director, or instructor.

Double majors: Students who are registered as double majors, and who

complete both majors, may receive up to six credits (for two exams) for scores of four or five on AP exams in the humanities and sciences (except music theory), with the following two provisos: 1) that a student can receive a maximum of six credits for AP exams and summer transfer courses combined; and 2) if a student who is originally a double major drops one of his or her majors, the AP credits granted by the school will also be withdrawn.

Music Education majors —Psychology 111 exemption: while the ideal course of studies for MTL majors is to enroll in PSY 111/ PSY 112 at Eastman, the PSY 111 course may be waived for any music education major who scores 4 or 5 on the AP Psychology exam. This exemption in itself carries no credit, and students would still be required to obtain 24 credits in Humanities and Sciences before graduation. However, double majors who score 4 or 5 on the AP Psychology exam may be able to claim 3 credits toward their Humanities and Sciences requirement, provided they do not exceed 6 credits in total AP or transfer credit (see II:F above).

Voice Students—Language Exemption: a score of 3 or better on an AP language exam may exempt a voice student from part of the requirement in that

language, at the discretion of the Humanities Department Chair and the Director of Foreign Languages. Such an exemption bears no credit. All students with prior study of/ exposure to the language must consult with their instructor in the first week of classes to assess proper placement. Students who fail to do so and are found to be overqualified for their chosen level risk receiving no credit for the course.

TRANSFER STUDENTS

Students who transfer to Eastman receive credit for qualifying humanities and sciences courses taken at the institution from which they are transferring, before their matriculation at Eastman, provided that the courses carried at least 3 semester credits and the student earned a grade of “B-” or better.

III. Humanities Department Area Studies Concentrations (ASC)

The Humanities Department curriculum encourages broad exploration of topics in humanities, arts, social sciences, and natural sciences by giving students flexibility in customizing their individual course of study. The department recognizes that focused study in a particular area of interest leading to a minor or second major in a department at the River Campus can be difficult to accommodate. Eastman’s Humanities

Department offers Area Studies Concentrations to students who complete a minimum

of three Eastman courses with a grade of B+ or higher in one of the following concentrations. A completed Area Studies Concentration will be noted on the student’s transcript.

Students interested in obtaining an ASC or learning more about the program should contact the faculty advisor for the respective concentration or speak with the department chair. Humanities Department faculty will advise students pursuing an ASC in matters of course selection and planning.

[back to top]

04.01.01.05 Humanities/Science: Non-English Language Requirement for Music Education Majors

New York State requires that all candidates for teacher certification must study a language other than English at the college level or demonstrate equivalent study.

“Equivalent Study” may be demonstrated by:

A score of 4 or higher on an AP language exam (French, German, Latin, Spanish) automatically qualifies a student as having equivalent study. Students will need to have a copy of the AP exam transcript sent from the Eastman registrar to the Music Education advisor for review.

Substantial high school preparation. If a student has enrolled for 3 full years of ONE high school language (e.g. Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish III), and has earned a grade of B minus (B- or 82) or higher each term, he or she may qualify as having equivalent study.

All music education majors may apply Eastman or College of Arts and Sciences language study toward their required 24 credits in humanities and sciences. If the student wants to study a language other than English (including American Sign Language) at the collegiate level, then advising is simply a matter of scheduling.

If the student believes he or she is qualified to study a language other than English at the intermediate level or higher, he or she should see the chair of the Humanities department who will find the most appropriate placement for the student.

If the student does not qualify as having equivalent study on the basis of AP exam scores or substantial high school preparation, but might qualify on some other basis, such as being a native speaker, he or she should see the chair of the Humanities department, who will make the final determination about qualification. The chair of the Humanities department will notify the student, the academic advisor, and the registrar.

Any student who does not qualify as having equivalent study must complete a college level course in a language other than English. Possibilities include French, German, and Italian at ESM, and additionally, American Sign Language, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian in the College of Arts and Sciences.

[back to top]

04.01.02 Departmental requirements

In addition to the core curriculum, there are departmental requirements specific to each major. These include courses such as chamber music, repertoire classes, and creative and practical electives. See the specific descriptions listed below for details.

[back to top]

04.01.02.01 Applied Music – Double Bass, Guitar, Harp, Organ, Piano, Strings, Voice, Winds, Brass & Percussion

Senior recital

All applied music majors must present a full senior recital to a faculty panel of no less than three members of the department, including the student’s applied teacher. The recital must include the performance of at least one work written in the last forty years. For wind, brass and percussion majors, the recital must also include one unaccompanied work and/or one chamber ensemble work.

Should the faculty panel decide that a student’s senior recital does not meet the minimum standards, the student will be asked to give a second performance in fulfillment of this requirement. The faculty panel will determine, in consultation with the student’s applied teacher, what repertoire must be performed, as well as the issues that must be addressed to ensure a successful second attempt. This second program must be approved by the chair of the department and documented in written correspondence to the student.

Other departmental requirements

These include specific ensemble requirements (from studio accompanying to large ensemble), chamber music, repertoire classes, pedagogy classes, language proficiency, and creative and practical electives. Refer to the individual degree requirement worksheets for details, linked here.

[back to top]

04.01.02.08 Musical Arts

The Musical Arts major (MUA) is an honors curriculum that enables students to craft an individualized program of study, undertaken in consultation with a faculty committee that leads to a major senior project. These programs of study may be wide-ranging and possibly cross-disciplinary, and are generally not possible within the structured requirements of other majors at Eastman. This degree is intended for exceptional students who possess not only strong musical and intellectual abilities, but also the motivation and self-direction to succeed in the senior project.

Students who wish to pursue the MUA major will take Eastman’s core curriculum (as well as departmental requirements of their applied music area) during the first two years. During the junior and senior year, students will follow the individual course of study approved by the MUA Supervisory Committee, within guidelines established by the School and outlined in the Academic Policy Handbook. Students continue with applied lessons, juries, and recitals consistent with the requirements for all BM students. It is possible for students to petition to take 7 rather than 8 total semesters of applied music and ensembles, but only with the approval of the appropriate applied faculty. This would be considered if it enabled students to take advantage of off-campus learning opportunities, such as internships or overseas study, directly relevant to their senior project. Students must, however, be registered for lessons in the semester in which a jury or recital is presented; thus it is strongly recommended that any off-campus learning opportunity be planned for a fall rather than spring semester, so that jury requirements can be met.

While MUA majors are not held to the department-specific requirements of the final two years of the MUA major, these courses may be recommended by the applied teacher. Note that students may opt to add the MUA major to their current program of study, and pursue a double (or triple) major as part of their Bachelor of Music degree.

Please See: Bachelor of Music – Musical Arts

Application and Admission

All students interested in the Musical Arts major must apply in the spring of their sophomore year by submitting the materials specified below to the Office of Academic Affairs. Application and information materials are available in the Office of Academic Affairs and are generally due in the first week of April. Note that all applicants must present a draft of their proposal to a member of the MUA Supervisory Committee no later than three weeks prior to the deadline in order for their application to be considered by the Committee.

The MUA Supervisory Committee will interview all applicants during the week of last week of April. Applicants will be notified of the outcome by the last day of classes of the spring semester. Students will be assigned a mentor from the MUA Supervisory Committee upon acceptance.

The minimum admission criteria include (exceptions will be made only with the permission of the Dean of Academic Affairs and MUA Supervisory Committee):

cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better
grades of B+ or better in all juries and applied lessons
on track for completion of current program of study
outstanding supporting documents

Application requirements:

completed application form
current transcript (must be requested through the Office of the Registrar)
sample(s) of written work (at least one academic paper)
three recommendations from diverse disciplines, one from applied teacher
personal statement*
individual interview with the MUA supervisory committee

* The personal statement should be a substantial proposal (2-3 pages) that describes the student?s motivation for entering the program, his/her goals and objectives for study, and a vision of how the BM MUA might affect the student’s future.

Key Components of the MUA Curriculum

For a complete accounting of course requirements in the MUA degree, consult the degree advising worksheet.

Among other requirements, MUA students will take 24-27 credits in the humanities, while other BM students take only 21. Features that distinguish the MUA from other majors include a self-designed concentration of courses (12 credits) and a senior project (6 credits).

Concentration

The concentration is a well-defined program of study similar to a minor field. It will consist of intellectually stimulating, potentially diverse, and wide-ranging courses; it may be cross-disciplinary and comprise related music and humanities courses.

Students may view the concentration in one of two ways: as a group of like courses drawn together by similar content, or as a group of dissimilar courses linked by an underlying thread. Normally courses in the concentration will provide the background necessary for students to undertake the senior project.

Upon acceptance to the MUA program, students will design a MUA concentration and submit it to the Supervisory Committee for approval. Concentration proposals are due November 1 of the junior year.

Concentration proposals must include at least four courses (ESM, River Campus, or transfer) totaling twelve (12) or more credit hours, and a prose statement describing anticipated goals and how the courses will achieve those goals.

The concentration does not add to the required credit total, but rather provides a focus to the courses chosen by the student.

Senior Project

The senior project is the culmination of BM MUA study. As such, it must be a substantial and original work that integrates the experience and education of the student. It should blend performance and academic interests with professional preparation. Creative and enterprising projects are strongly preferred, and they may include one or more non-musical, cross-disciplinary components. The project may incorporate such diverse elements as outreach, internships, and performance or video art.

There are two components to the senior project:

A final written document that provides a project overview, includes goals and methodologies, and summarizes and interprets the results is required;
A significant public presentation of the project must be given, either at an annual colloquium or as a separate event.

Senior projects will be:

proposed by week 8 of the fall semester in the senior year with a formal written prospectus
approved by the supervisory committee
advised by one faculty advisor (other than the MUA Committee mentor)
public presentation must be completed no later than two weeks before the end of the spring semester of the senior year

[back to top]

04.01.02.09 Theory

Please See: Bachelor of Music – Theory

[back to top]

04.01.03 Variations from the prescribed programs of study

In order to earn a Bachelor of Music degree, all undergraduates are expected to complete the degree requirements that are in place during their year of matriculation. Any exceptions to the prescribed programs of study must be approved by the department in which the requirement resides, as well as by the Office of Academic Affairs. Students must complete a Waiver Substitution Form and obtain the necessary approvals in order to document any such variations within their degree program.

[back to top]

04.02 Course Load

The standard course load for an Eastman student is 16-18 credits per semester.

Undergraduate students may register for a maximum of 23 credits per semester. Should a student wish to take courses above and beyond this, they must obtain approval from the Office of Academic Affairs. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, no outstanding incomplete (“I” grades from any previous semester, and good overall standing will be prerequisites for approval. In all cases, enrollment in more than 28 credit hours is not permitted.

Credits associated with audited courses count towards course overload restrictions. Students auditing a course should make note of this restriction. Additionally, audited courses do not count toward full-time status.

To request permission to overload, students should submit the online “Credit Overload Permission Form,” which is found on the Registrar’s website.

[back to top]

04.03 Transfer credit for matriculated students who enter as first-time first-year

For information regarding transfer students, see section 04.08.

For information regarding Study Abroad transfer credit, see section 04.10.03.

Undergraduate students may take two humanities/science courses at another institution and transfer up to 8 credits into their Eastman School of Music bachelor of music degree program. Each course must be worth a minimum of 3 credits, and a grade of B- or better must be earned. Credit from courses taken on a pass/fail basis will not be considered for transfer credit. Approval from the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs must be obtained in advance of taking the courses in order to be sure that the course will fulfill Eastman graduation requirements. Pre-approval is not required for courses taken before enrolling at Eastman.

Please submit via email the following:

Name of institution where you will take the course
Course title, course number and number of credits
The link to the college or university’s course description in their course catalogue

Upon completion of an approved transfer course, the transcript from the course must be submitted to the Eastman Registrar’s Office in order to finalize the transfer of credits.

Collegiate-level courses taken during high school may be considered for humanities transfer credit if they satisfy all of the following conditions:

They were not taken in fulfillment of any high school degree requirement.
They do not appear on the high school transcript.
They are not included in the high school G.P.A. calculation.

If granted, such transfer credits count toward and are subject to the 6-credit limit mentioned above. Students may be asked to provide appropriate supporting documentation from the school district.

Credit more than five years old will not be accepted for transfer. (5/31/11)

[back to top]

04.04 Advanced standing

04.04.01 Theory

AP standing in music theory is granted indirectly through the initial theory placement exam that takes place during orientation week. While AP scores do not automatically replace ESM coursework, previous theory study may contribute to advanced standing within the required core sequence, as determined by the placement exam.

[back to top]

04.04.02 Humanities/science electives

To ensure that the Humanities department fulfills the School’s mission of complementing the college-level study of music with academic study in the liberal arts and sustained intellectual reflection, AP scores may earn a student advanced standing but, with the exception of double majors, no credit will be granted towards the Humanities and Science requirement on the basis of such scores. Note that the AP policies of departments in the College of Arts and Sciences vary; these policies apply only to degrees offered in the College and have no bearing on the Humanities and Science requirement for the Bachelor of Music degree at the Eastman School of Music.

[back to top]

04.04.03 Advanced placement (AP)

Students with sufficient AP scores may be exempt from introductory-level courses and be able to place directly into higher-level classes. No credit will be granted for the exempted course unless the student is a double-major (see below). Those seeking such standing should consult with the appropriate chair, program director, or instructor.

[back to top]

04.04.04 Double majors

Students who matriculated in the fall of 2005 and after, who are registered as double majors, and who complete both majors, may receive three credits (for one exam) or six credits (for two exams) for scores of four or five on AP exams in the humanities and sciences (except music theory; see above) with the following two provisos:

That a student can receive a maximum of six credits for AP exams and summer transfer courses combined; and
If a student who is originally a double major drops one of the two majors, the AP credits granted by the School will be withdrawn.

[back to top]

04.05 Set-Aside Credit towards Graduate Study

Students nearing completion of their undergraduate coursework may decide to take courses at Eastman above and beyond their Bachelor of Music degree requirements, with the intent of applying these additional credits towards their stated master’s degree requirements. Students may request that up to six credits of such coursework (200-400 level) be set aside for elective credit in their master of music degree, thus reducing the total number of credits required at the master’s level. Approved set-aside courses remain in the undergraduate degree program on the student’s record and factor into the undergraduate grade point average. The same course cannot fulfill a requirement in both degree programs. This policy is only applicable to courses taken at the Eastman School. To apply for set-aside credit, submit a Set-Aside Credit Application Form to the Eastman Registrar’s Office.

[back to top]

04.06 Double majors

Students may enroll in any combination of majors with the approval of the appropriate departments and the Office of Academic Affairs. Students must meet all requirements for each major in order to complete their Bachelor of Music degree. Certain combinations of majors may require additional semesters of study, given sequencing and credit load considerations.

Students interested in adding a new major must meet with the chair of the department and pass all admission requirements as established by the department, including performance assessments and academic file review. If accepted into the second major, the student will need to complete a “Change of Academic Status” form (available in the Office of Academic Affairs) and submit it to the Dean of Academic Affairs for final approval. Approval of a student’s double major program is given by the Dean only on the recommendation of the chairs of the major departments.

[back to top]

04.06.01 FORTE program

The FORTE program is a ninth semester of tuition-free enrollment for selected music education majors. This semester is devoted exclusively to completion of the student teaching experience. The FORTE program is available to students enrolled in the music education programs (instrumental, vocal or general) who are also enrolled in a second major; e.g. performance, composition, theory, or jazz studies, or in a second degree program (Bachelor of Arts or Science) at the College.

Students must be in good standing in both programs in order to apply, and must be recommended by their music education advisor as well as their studio teacher. Students must apply for the FORTE program by the beginning of the junior year (fifth semester) so that scheduling of courses in the junior and senior years can be adjusted to facilitate student teaching in the ninth semester. All requirements other than student teaching must be completed in eight semesters. Applied study is not available to a student as part of this tuition-free semester. To begin the application process, students should consult with their academic advisor in the Music Education department.

[back to top]

04.07 Minors and certificates (non-music)

Eastman students may establish a minor or undertake certificate studies in a field other than music through many of the departments of the College of Arts and Sciences. A list of possible minors and certificates (www.rochester.edu/college/certificates.html) is available on the College’s website. Students interested in adding a minor or certificate should research the coursework needed for their intended area of study, and then meet with the departmental advisor of that particular certificate to obtain final approval. Students must then complete the appropriate paperwork to obtain credit for the minor or certificate at the College’s Center for Academic Support. With some exceptions, these courses count toward the general (humanities/science) elective requirement in the Bachelor of Music degree.

[back to top]

04.08 Transfer students

An individual is considered to be a transfer student at the Eastman School if they earned college level credit while matriculated (enrolled as a candidate for a degree) at an accredited university, college, or community college. Students who earn college-level credit while attending high school, or who earn college level credit that is not part of a degree program, are considered new first-year students and not transfer students.

For students with a completed degree from another two- or four-year school, a maximum of 60 credits are transferrable to a bachelor’s degree at the Eastman School of Music. In these situations, students are also subject to the below transfer credit policies.

[back to top]

04.08.01 Minimum residency requirement

Students who transfer to the Eastman School of Music from another college or university are required to complete a minimum of four consecutive full-time semesters at Eastman to earn a Bachelor of Music degree.

[back to top]

04.08.02 Determination of class standing

Transfer class standing is dependent on the applied/primary instrument placement, as determined by the department, as well as on music academic placement. The latter is determined by placement exams as well as by a review of all earned academic credit. The final decision about a student’s class standing is made by the Office of Academic Affairs in consultation with the student’s applied teacher.

[back to top]

04.08.03 Transfer credit for transfer students

The Eastman School reserves the right to validate, by examination, credit presented as requisite to a course for which a student wishes to register and which is required in their curriculum. All transfer credit will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs in conjunction with specific department chair.

Music Performance Component

Credit by examination may be awarded in applied study for students who are placed at a sophomore or junior level. This same principle applies to large ensemble credit.
A Piano placement examination is given during orientation week. Although prior study may result in advanced placement, no transfer credit is awarded.

Music Academic Component

Music History transfer credit may be awarded if the prior coursework is closely aligned with the requirements for the Eastman Music History core sequence and a minimum grade of B- was earned.
The Music Theory placement examination is given during orientation week. Although prior study may result in advanced placement, no transfer credit is awarded.
All entering transfer students will be required to take EIC101 (Colloquium) unless they can present documentation that they have taken a similar course at another school. Depending on their remaining degree requirements, students transferring in with junior class standing may be exempt from taking EIC101. The Associate Dean of Academic Affairs will make this determination.

Humanities/Science Component

Students transferring from accredited institutions may, without examination, have the credit from humanities and sciences courses validated for credit. Each course must be worth a minimum of 3 credits, and a grade of B- or better must be earned. Credit from courses taken on a pass/fail basis will not be considered for transfer credit.
Transfer students who have completed, with a minimum grade of B-, an equivalent writing course at another accredited college may be exempted from FWS121 (First-Year Writing Seminar).

(Update approved by the Academic Progress Committee, October 2021)

[back to top]

04.09 Dual degree program

04.09.01 General guidelines

The dual degree program is designed for students who have equally strong interests in music and another field such that they wish to undertake undergraduate degree work in both. Dual degree students are those who have applied to and been accepted by both the Eastman School and the College (Arts and Sciences or the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences), and are intending to complete a Bachelor of Music as well as a Bachelor of Arts or Science.

Given that each campus has its own independent offices (e.g. admissions, financial aid, registrar), each dual degree student will be assigned a primary college (either Eastman or the College) for administrative purposes. The sole determining factor in the assignment of the primary college is the financial benefit of the student; this decision is jointly made by the two financial aid offices upon the student’s admission to the dual degree program. As long as the student continues to make what both schools consider to be satisfactory progress toward both degrees, and assuming that all other factors remain the same, the institutional financial aid for which the student qualifies will remain in place for up to ten semesters.

Students who initially enrolled in a single degree program at the Eastman School may apply to add a second degree at the College. To do so, they should meet with the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs to discuss the impact of the second degree on their current program of study, and then complete an “Intent to Enroll Form” (available through the Admissions Office at the College.

[back to top]

04.09.02 Satisfactory progress for dual degree students

Given the complexities of balancing the requirements of two distinct degrees, it is typical for students to take up to ten semesters to complete their degree study. The largely pre-professional study at the Eastman School consists of tightly-sequenced coursework, particularly in the first two years of study. As a result, dual degree students typically take only one or two courses on the River Campus during their first-year and add courses as they progress in their degree programs.

To assist in the planning of their programs of study, dual degree students are advised by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Eastman School, the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies at the College, and their assigned departmental advisors. The normal course load for a dual degree student varies between 18 and 24 credits, depending on the combination of majors.

In order to maintain enrollment in the dual degree program and to make progress toward the degree in the College, it is strongly recommended that students complete at least eight credit hours on the River Campus by the end of the first year, and 24 credits by the end of the second year. By the end of the fifth semester, dual degree students will be expected to have earned 32 credit hours and to have been officially accepted into a major in the College. Students may be dropped from the College degree program if these criteria have not been met.

[back to top]

04.09.03 Special academic arrangements

Programs of study at the College are based on a cluster system; clusters are sets of related courses. Each cluster contains a minimum of twelve credits of coursework, which is equivalent, in most cases, to three courses. Each cluster falls within one of the three academic divisions: Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences and Engineering. In each of these three divisions, students will be expected to complete a formal set of coursework: a major, a minor, or a cluster. Special divisional clusters in the Humanities and Social Sciences have been devised and approved for dual degree students; they include coursework that is required for the Bachelor of Music degree. Students who major in a Natural Science discipline may take advantage of both of these special clusters. Other students, in addition to completing a major and one of these special clusters, will need to complete a cluster in the Natural Sciences. See www.rochester.edu/college/ccas/undergraduate/curriculum/clusters.html for more details.

The first-year writing requirement for dual degree students may be fulfilled by successful completion of either FWS121 at Eastman or the College’s required first-year writing course, CAS105/105E.

Up to five years of private instruction are available to dual degree students: four consecutive years with their applied faculty instructor, followed by one year with that teacher’s teaching assistant. Any exceptions to this must be approved by the faculty member, the department, and the Dean of Academic Affairs.

[back to top]

04.09.04 Requirements for graduation/Degree conferral

Dual degree students must complete all of the specified degree requirements for each degree in order to graduate from the University of Rochester’s dual degree program. Both degrees must be completed before either bachelor degree will be conferred.

[back to top]

04.10 Special programs

The University of Rochester offers two unique programs that allow students to broaden their undergraduate experiences during a tuition-free semester or year.

[back to top]

04.10.01 Take Five Scholars Program

The Take Five Scholars Program provides students with the opportunity to acquire a liberal education that might not otherwise be available to them. Qualified students will be granted either one or two tuition-free semesters to take courses that significantly broaden their programs of study. Note that this program is not intended to be pre-vocational or to enhance a student’s marketability.

Students may apply to the program from the second semester of their sophomore year through the first semester of their senior year. Applications are reviewed in both the fall and spring semesters; students must attend an information session either at Eastman or at the College before they may apply to the program. Neither major applied study nor large ensemble participation is available during the extra semesters of enrollment of students admitted to the Take Five Scholars Program.

Detailed information can be found at www.rochester.edu/College/ccas/undergraduate/opportunities/takefive/index.html.

[back to top]

04.10.02 Kauffman Entrepreneurial Year (KEY) Program

The KEY program provides accepted students with the opportunity to devote one or two semesters, tuition-free, to the study and/or practice of entrepreneurship. Proposals may include internships, special projects, business plan development, research into various facets of entrepreneurship, or analysis of how culture and public policy influence entrepreneurial activity.

Interested students should attend an information session to learn about the program and the guidelines that are in effect. For more information, see: Center for Entrepreneurship.

[back to top]

04.10.03 Study Abroad Transfer Credit

The Conservatory Exchange Program expands opportunities for Eastman students by creating student exchanges with leading European conservatories. A semester or year abroad offers the chance to improve language skills, appreciate a different culture, find a unique educational experience, learn about national performing styles, complete important research, or seek career opportunities.

Students who Study Abroad through an approved program will have their course work evaluated on a case by case basis. Applied music and ensemble will automatically be transferred into the degree program. All course work will be evaluated by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and the appropriate department chair for substitution in the student’s program of study.

Detailed information on the Conservatory Exchange Program the can be found at: https://www.esm.rochester.edu/admissions/ugrad/programs/#conservatory-exchange

[back to top]

04.10.04 Eastman Initiatives Curriculum Internship

A supervised work experience (Internship) can provide a valuable educational experience that augments the regular academic program of students. Internships provide students with opportunities to establish professional networks, and they often lead to offers of employment after graduation. The Eastman School of Music provides students to enroll for unpaid internships, with either credit or no-credit options.

Eastman Initiatives Curriculum (EIC) 394: academic year, credit/no credit Eastman Initiatives Curriculum (EIC) 396A: summer no credit Eastman Initiatives Curriculum (EIC) 396B: summer for credit

Elements of the Internship Enrollment:

The internship must be unpaid.
Students may earn academic credit for unpaid internships in both for-profit and non-profit sectors.
The purpose of the internship is to acquire experience at the professional level; the internship work must not be clerical in nature.
Internships may be completed during the academic year or during the summer.
Most internships will be completed during the junior or senior year, or in the rising junior/senior summer; first-years and rising sophomores are not permitted to enroll for internships.
All for-credit internships require first an Independent Study plan with a faculty sponsor.
For-credit internship requests must be approved by the Professional Development Committee.
To be approved for an internship, a student must be in good academic and judicial standing.

Detailed information on the Eastman Initiatives Curriculum Internship the can be found at: Eastman Initiatives Curriculum Link

[back to top]

04.11 Absence policy

Regular and prompt class attendance is considered to be a crucial part of the learning process at the Eastman School of Music. For this reason, attendance policies for courses and ensembles are determined and managed by the faculty and departments. In all cases, it is a student’s responsibility to notify faculty in advance of any planned class absence and to discuss the impact on successful completion of the course of study. Students are expected to do this well in advance and to make up all missed work in a timely manner.

Eastman expects that its students will be presented with opportunities for professional growth and development. These may include job interviews, auditions for professional positions or graduate schools, and exceptional performance opportunities. Students are responsible for notifying each of their instructors well in advance.

All students who are absent from class for an extended period of time, or for a personal or medical emergency, should contact the Office of Academic Affairs so that their teachers may be notified. These notifications do not signify approval but are sent to instructors as a courtesy.

In some cases, the Dean of the School may authorize absences from classes due to special events or performing opportunities. The names of students involved in such organized activities must be reported to the Office of Academic Affairs in advance of each event. This report must describe all necessary information, including dates of absences and the specific purpose of the activity. The Office of Academic Affairs will notify faculty of the impending absence.

Questions or clarifications of the Absence Policy may be directed to the Office of Academic Affairs. (Updated November 6, 2009)

[back to top]

04.12 Grading policies and procedures

04.12.01 Grades, points and credit

Each faculty instructor determines the grading criteria for their courses and must publish them in the class syllabus. The syllabus must include learning outcomes, assignments and exams, specific stipulations for successful course completion, a statement on disability accommodations, a statement on Eastman’s academic integrity policy, and attendance policies for the course.

Semester hours of credit are assigned to courses in accordance with the recommendations of the National Association of Schools of Music and the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. In general, for classroom subjects, one semester hour of credit is assigned for each hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work per week per semester. Exceptions to this policy are made for large ensembles and chamber music, where less out-of-class time is required; and applied lessons, where significant out of class work is expected. For large ensembles and chamber music, two to four hours of instruction per week may be required for each hour of credit, while weekly applied lessons will receive two to four credit hours due to the significant amount of preparation required for each meeting.

Grades for undergraduate students are reported on one of the following two systems:

Letter grades: “A” excellent; “A-“; “B+”; “B” good; “B-“; “C+”; “C” fair; “C-“; “D+”; “D” poor; “D-“; “E” failure
“P” pass; “F” failure

In general, courses taken for an undergraduate degree at Eastman must receive a letter grade in order to count for degree credit. Exceptions involve the following required registrations that carry no credit and are to be graded on the “P/F” basis:

Degree Recitals (ESM 201 & ESM 202)
Continuation Registrations (ESM 385/399)
Studio Accompanying (ACY 100)
Study Abroad (SAB 200)
Jazz Department Forum (JCM 291/292)
Student Success Strategies (EIC 090)
Cross-Cultural Understanding (EIC 100)
ESM Colloquium (EIC 101)
Senior Project (EIC 251/252)
Music Education Certification Workshops (ESM 275)
Wellness Courses (WLN 101 & WLN 105)

A grade of “F” in a pass/fail course is considered a failure and may cause the student to be placed on academic probation.

A grade of “INCOMPLETE” (I) will be assigned when a student is unable to complete all course requirements within the prescribed period and receives the instructor’s permission to complete certain requirements at a later date. Before the end of the examination period of the semester during which the “Incomplete” is to be given, the student will negotiate with the instructor a mutually acceptable method for completing the class work, and an agreement signed by the student and the instructor outlining the agreed upon method must be submitted to the Registrar. The final grade, once recorded, will be preceded by an “I” on the official transcript. For example, a grade of “A” will appear as “IA”. A final grade of “E” will be awarded if work is not completed by the specified deadline.

A grade of “NO GRADE” (N) will be assigned when a student is unable to complete all course requirements due to serious illness or other similar incapacitating circumstances within the prescribed period. The “No Grade” request form, along with official documentation (medical/other), must be submitted to the Registrar’s office before the end of the examination period of the semester during which the “No Grade” is to be given. The final grade, once recorded, will eliminate the “N” on the official transcript. For example, a grade of “A” will appear as “A”.

Should a passing grade be earned for a given course, students receive the number of semester credit hours assigned to the course. For the purposes of calculating a student’s grade point average, each grade is assigned a particular point value; this information appears on the back side of the official academic transcript: Transcript Key

Any River Campus course counting towards an Eastman undergraduate requirement must be taken for a grade. After the required twenty-one additional credits of humanities and science electives have been completed, additional general studies courses taken on the River Campus may be graded with the Pass/Fail Option. No humanities courses may be taken at the Eastman School with the Pass/Fail Option.

[back to top]

04.12.02 Repeating Courses for Credit

Students who earn an unsatisfactory grade (i.e., C-, D+, D, D-, or E) in a course may repeat that course for a grade with approval from the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, in consultation with the relevant department chair. The second grade, which is not necessarily the better grade, will then be factored into the grade point average. Credit can be earned for a course only once. Credit for courses initially passed will be removed from the record when the “repeat” course is completed, even if the second grade is a failure. An “R” appears next to both listings of the course on the transcript, and the earlier grade also remains.

Students who choose to repeat a course they have failed must pass the course the second time in order that the first failing grade will be removed from the GPA.

Students receiving any kind of institutional or federal aid must be full-time, i.e., must be carrying at least 12 new credit hours. By implication, then, a student may not repeat two three-credit courses that were previously passed along with two new three-credit courses, as Financial Aid would consider that student to be part-time (taking only six credit hours).

Some courses, due to their nature, cannot be repeated. This includes courses already repeatable for credit, including, but not limited to, applied lessons, secondary lessons, large ensembles, chamber music, Composition for Non-Majors, and orchestral repertoire courses. In certain disciplines (e.g.,

foreign languages, diction, certain River Campus subjects) students may not re-take a lower-level course once enrolled for a higher-level course.

First-Year Writing Seminar (FWS 121) may only be re-taken with permission of both the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and the chair of the Humanities Department. (UCC policy change approval 12/03/2015)

[back to top]

04.12.03 Dean’s List

At the conclusion of the fall and spring semesters, a list is issued of those students whose academic achievement warrants notation on the Dean’s List. The Dean’s List for the Eastman School of Music will include full-time undergraduate students who meet the following requirements:

an overall semester GPA of 3.9 or above, and
completion of 16 or more credit hours (12 credits in the senior year), at least 12 of which have normal letter grades (A through E)
no “I” or “N” grades

Notation of Dean’s List standing is made on the official transcript.

[back to top]

04.13 Progress towards degree completion

04.13.01 Minimum standards for satisfactory academic progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) guidelines require undergraduate students at the Eastman School of Music to achieve a specified cumulative and current GPA, as well as accumulate a specific number of credit hours by the end of each semester. Students must meet these standards, which are based on federal regulations, in order to maintain their institutional merit scholarships, as well as federal aid. Academic progress is reviewed at the end of the fall and spring semesters by the Academic Progress Committee (comprised of the Senior Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, the Registrar, and the Director of Financial Aid).

The minimum Satisfactory Academic Progress standards for a Bachelor of Music degree student are described in the chart below. Please note that while these guidelines allow students up to 10 semesters of Title IV eligibility (institutional aid eligibility has higher standards) to complete their degree program, students will only be allowed to take 8 semesters of applied lessons. Any additional semesters required to complete outstanding coursework will not include applied lesson instruction. Transfer students enter the SAP chart based on the number of credits transferred upon admission to Eastman.

At the end of semester…	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
A student must complete a least this many credits…	12	24	36	48	60	72	84	96	108	120
And have a minimum current and cumulative GPA of…	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0

In addition to the above guidelines, undergraduate students registered for a full-time course load are required to successfully complete at least 12 credits. Incompletes (I), No Grades (N) and Withdrawals (W) will be calculated as courses attempted and not completed, while audited courses will not factor into SAP calculations as no grade is earned for the course. Pass-Fail courses (S/E) are factored into SAP calculations as credits attempted and earned.

In addition to the above SAP guidelines, a student’s institutional merit aid may be reduced should they not maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 by the end of the first year of study.

Students may repeat a course due to failure only one time. If a course is failed a second time, Federal Title IV Financial Aid will not pay for a third attempt.

Students who do not maintain SAP may face sanctions as described below (see 4.13.07 Impact on Merit-based Aid). Students will be notified in writing should there be any concerns regarding their progress in their programs of study and an electronic notation will be put into their academic and financial aid records. The Registrar, Financial Aid, the student’s Department Chair, advisor(s) and parents of dependent students will receive copies of any written correspondence regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress.

04.13.02 Financial Aid and Academic Warning

Students who do not meet the minimum standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) as defined above will be placed on Financial Aid and Academic Warning Status. Students on this status will be notified in writing by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs of the requirements which must be satisfied to remove themselves from this Warning.

Students on Financial Aid and Academic Warning Status will face a financial penalty and will lose some or all of any institutional merit scholarship they may be receiving (see 4.13.07 Impact on Merit-based Aid). Students cannot be on Warning for more than one semester, or else they risk suspension or dismissal from their studies at Eastman.

04.13.03 Suspension

A student who is not making sufficient progress in their degree, has their progress is impeded by failed required coursework, or has not been able to remove him/herself from a Financial Aid and Academic Warning status as required by the Office of Academic Affairs, will be suspended from their studies at the Eastman School of Music for one full semester or one full year depending on the student’s outstanding academic requirements. The terms and conditions of the suspension will be defined in a written letter to the student, and each of these must be met by the student before the Office of Academic Affairs will consider their re-instatement to full-time matriculated study. These terms may include (but are not limited to) completion of 12 credits of academic coursework at another institution with minimum grade expectations, as well as a re-audition on his/her applied instrument.

Students will be administratively registered as inactive (ESM 385) to maintain continuous enrollment. With this registration comes an administrative fee per semester (see 04.00.02 Continuous Undergraduate Registration).

04.13.04 Appeal of suspension

Students who have been suspended may appeal to be reinstated to active status only in cases of extenuating medical or personal circumstances (e.g., a death in the family, significant documented illness of the student and/or immediate family member, or documented injury). The Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs review all appeals of this type.

Appeals must be made in writing no later than 10 business days after the date of the letter of suspension. Students must document their reason for appeal, provide a personal statement documenting how they plan to improve the academic standing in the coming semester, and provide any necessary supporting documents. Acceptable supporting documentation may include:

A physician’s written statement to substantiate illness or injury
A written statement from a clergy, family member or other third party who knows the student’s situation
Newspaper obituaries or death certificates to substantiate deaths

Appeals in which students fail to submit adequate, acceptable, and appropriate documentation, or fail to submit their written appeal within 10 business days, will be denied.

Appeals will be assessed and approved on a case-by-case basis. If approved, the suspension will be lifted, the student will be placed on Financial Aid Probation, and an academic action plan will be established in order to assist the student in regaining SAP. Failure to complete the action plan may lead to the student’s dismissal. (updated 1/2017)

04.13.05 Financial Aid and Academic Probation

Students may be placed on a Financial Aid and Academic Probation as the result of a successful suspension appeal. A detailed academic action plan will be established by the Office of Academic Affairs and will define the conditions necessary for the student to regain Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Students who meet the requirements of the academic action plan will have regained Satisfactory Academic Progress and be in good standing. Should a student fail to meet the requirements of the academic action plan, they will be dismissed.

04.13.06 Academic Action Plans

Students who are not achieving Satisfactory Academic Progress will be placed on an academic action plan and monitored by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. The plans may include specific coursework which must be taken, minimum grade or musical performance requirements, or any other manner of academic action. The specific plans will be determined on a case-by-case basis in order to assist the student in regaining Satisfactory Academic Progress.

04.13.07 Impact on Merit-based Aid

A student’s institutional merit aid may be reduced if s/he does not maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 by the end of the first year of study, or if s/he is placed on Financial Aid and Academic Warning or Probation.

25% reduction of merit aid – Cumulative GPA is below a 3.0 at the end of the first year of study or any subsequent semester.
50% reduction of merit aid – Financial Aid and Academic Warning
100% reduction of merit aid – Financial Aid and Academic Probation

Reductions of merit aid are reexamined each semester, and if a student does not meet the above standard for a subsequent semester, an additional reduction will be assessed on top of the previous semester’s reduction. As soon as a student’s GPA rises above 3.0 or s/he is able to remove the Financial Aid and Academic Warning/Probation status, some or all of their merit scholarship will be restored for the remainder of their eligible time (see 04.13.10 Scholarship Aid Eligibility).

A physician’s written statement to substantiate illness or injury
A written statement from a clergy, family member or other third party who knows the student’s situation
Newspaper obituaries or death certificates to substantiate deaths

Appeals in which students fail to submit adequate, acceptable, and appropriate documentation, or fail to submit their written appeal within 10 business days, will be denied. Appeals will be assessed and approved on a case-by-case basis by Eastman’s Academic Progress Committee. (updated 1/2017)

[back to top]

04.13.08 Other Forms of Academic Probation

04.13.08.01 Music Education Probation

Students who major in music education are required to maintain an overall GPA of 3.0. In addition, the required minimum grade in all music education courses (courses with an MTL label) is B- or 2.7. If a student does not earn this minimum grade in a music education course, s/he will be required to re-take the course. Reviews of GPA will take place at the end of each semester by music education faculty. One semester of probationary status in the music education major may be given to bring the GPA into compliance.

Students must successfully complete all components of the sophomore review, or else they will be placed on departmental probation. They must demonstrate sufficient progress in the following semester in order to regain good standing in the major. In extreme cases where the student does not earn the minimum standard requirements in their attempt of the sophomore review, the student may be dismissed from the music education major.

04.13.08.02 Departmental Probation

In addition to the minimum standards of academic progress listed above, students must also meet the expectations for good standing in their major, as defined by the major department. Students who are placed on departmental probation are only permitted one probationary semester to rectify their situation; if they are not able to do so, they will be dismissed from the major and/or their degree studies at Eastman.

04.13.08.03 Performance Probation

Students who fail to make satisfactory academic progress in their principal instrument will be placed on performance probation. There are two types of performance probation.

Jury probation: Students will be placed on jury probation as a result of an unsatisfactory performance jury or failure to perform a jury. Students with documented medical concerns or emergencies may be permitted to postpone their jury by one semester with the approval of the Office of Academic Affairs.

Jury probation carries no financial penalty, but the probationary status must be removed within one semester or the student will be dismissed from the performance major and/or Eastman. Jury probation resulting from an unsatisfactory performance jury will be recorded as a grade of “incomplete” for the semester and may cause the delay of the student’s advancement in class year or reassignment of graduation date. An incomplete in a jury will impact a student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress calculation.

Lesson Probation: Students may be placed on lesson probation as a result of a semester grade of “C+” or lower in applied lessons. Lesson probation carries no financial penalty, but the student must earn the grade of “B-” or above in the subsequent semester or the student will be dismissed from the Eastman School of Music.

04.13.08.04 Theory Probation

A student who has failed two courses within the core undergraduate sequence will have probationary status for the remainder of their degree study. This probation carries no financial penalty, but the student must pass every remaining course in the core undergraduate sequence until graduation. Should a student fail a third theory/aural musicianship course, this will be considered unsatisfactory progress towards degree completion and may lead to dismissal from the Eastman School of Music.

04.13.08.05 English As A Second Language Probation

English as a Second Language (ESL) courses at the undergraduate level are considered an integral part of a student’s humanities electives. As a result, they are included in the calculation for SAP. Students who fail ESL courses may be suspended from their studies until which time they can successfully complete an academic action plan and return to retake the course. The academic action plan may include additional intensive coursework in English and retaking the TOEFL exam in order to obtain a score designated by the Office of Academic Affairs. Failure of a second ESL course may lead to dismissal from the Eastman School of Music.

[back to top]

04.13.09 Dismissal

In cases where it is evident a student is not able to demonstrate the minimum expected standard of performance, or has not been able to remove him/herself from a final probationary status as required by the Office of Academic Affairs, the student will be dismissed from studies at the Eastman School of Music. Once a student has been dismissed, he/she may not be permitted to re-apply for future undergraduate study. Under extreme circumstances, this may extend to graduate study as well.

[back to top]

04.13.10 Scholarship Aid Eligibility

Undergraduates who have completed all of their degree requirements will no longer be eligible for institutional merit aid or federal Title IV aid.

Bachelor of Music students should complete their degree in 8 full-time semesters. Dual degree students (those pursuing both a Bachelor of Music degree at Eastman and a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree at the College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering), should complete their degree in no more than 10 semesters. Music Education double majors in the FORTE program are eligible for 9 semesters of scholarship. Students with a double major in Performance and Music Education and a dual degree may receive scholarship aid for 11 semesters including a possible FORTE semester. Appeals to this policy should be directed to the Senior Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs and the Director of Financial Aid.

[back to top]

04.13.11 Academic progress requirements for state aid programs

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

In order to receive a TAP grant, an individual must be admitted as a full-time student in an approved program, meet New York State residency and income requirements, pursue the program of study in which he or she is enrolled, and make satisfactory progress toward completion of his or her program of study.

Program: Baccalaureate Program
Before Being Certified for This Payment	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th
A Student Must Have Accrued at Least This Many Credits	O	6	15	27	39	51	66	81
With At Least This Grade Point Average	O	1.5	1.8	1.8	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0

[back to top]

04.14 Graduation/Commencement

To be eligible for graduation, students must:

complete the prescribed degree program with a minimum GPA of 2.0,
satisfy the major department and applied music jury,
be recommended by the faculty for the degree, and
have completed the equivalent of at least eight full-time semesters of college study.

Students are encouraged to participate in May commencement ceremonies for their class year. Participation in the commencement ceremony and listing in the program booklet does not constitute graduation or degree conferral. The University permits students in the Take Five Scholars Program to participate in commencement ceremonies at the end of either their fourth or fifth year of study.

[back to top]

04.14.01 Marching on completion

Students are assigned to (or re-assigned to) a particular class year if they are likely, expected, or eligible to complete their degree in May, August or December of that calendar year. Undergraduate students who will complete their eighth semester of study in May but must complete coursework during the summer or fall, must perform a recital, or will participate in the FORTE program through the Music Education department during the fall semester will be considered “on completion” and should plan on participating in the May commencement ceremonies of that calendar year. These students may not participate in the commencement ceremonies for the following class year.

Students who begin their studies in a January session and who will complete their eighth semester of study in December of their class year should plan on participating in the preceding May commencement (of the same calendar year). A student who will complete all degree requirements in December may participate in the following May commencement ceremonies on degree pending status only if they request, in writing to the Registrar, that their official class year be changed.

[back to top]

04.14.02 Graduation Honors

Honors candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree with distinction will be limited to the top 33 percent (and ties) of the graduating class. They are allocated as follows:

Highest distinction: top 3% and ties
High distinction: the next 10% and ties
Distinction: the next 20% and ties

Honors are calculated at the end of the fall semester of the year in which the student is graduating. To be considered a candidate for such honors, a student must have completed at least 60 semester hours in residence and must show no unfinished “incompletes” on his/her record.

Note that for dual degree students, any determinations regarding honors will be dependent on the student’s primary campus.

[back to top]

Policy Handbook Table of Contents Course Descriptions Index Registrar Home

04.00 Undergraduate Academic Policy & Curriculum

Contents:

04.13.08.01 Music Education Probation

04.13.08.02 Departmental Probation

04.13.08.03 Performance Probation

04.13.08.04 Theory Probation

04.13.08.05 English As A Second Language Probation