For students on a GTA, a grade of B or better in all coursework is required for continuance of the assistantship.
For all students, the minimum academic standard in order to earn graduate degree credit in a graduate course is obtained as follows:
a) In non-elective* music courses, the minimum grade of B minus (B-) is required for graduate credit in graduate-only classes, i.e., in 900-level courses, or 800-level courses without 400-level counterparts. Applied lessons are an important example of such classes, and as a further rule, they may not be taken on a pass/no pass basis.
b) In non-elective* music courses, the minimum grade of B is required for graduate credit in cross-listed grad/undergrad classes, i.e., in 800-level courses with 400-level counterparts. Here, the grade of B minus (B-) is not acceptable for graduate credit. Also, these courses may not be taken on a pass/no pass basis for graduate credit.
c) In a minor or related area outside music or in elective* courses in music, the minimum grade of C or “Pass” is required in 800-level or 900-level courses. A grade of C minus (C-) is not acceptable.
d) A maximum of three credit hours may be taken on an optional pass/no pass basis in a student’s program.
e) A maximum of 9 credit hours may be taken in approved workshops.
f) A maximum of 6 credit hours may be taken in Special Problems, Special Topics, or Independent Study.
*NOTE: An elective course refers to any course in which the student has a free and open opportunity to select a course. A scenario in which students may select from a menu of courses to fulfill degree requirements in a certain area (i.e., select a music theory course from among 3 different theory courses) does NOT constitute an elective course.
A student who receives a grade below the minimum allowable for graduate credit may not continue in the degree program without permission from the Glenn Korff School of Music Graduate Committee. Typically, an under-achieving student will be placed on probation for a semester before a decision about continuing in the program is rendered. The standard for the retention of financial aid and other support will generally be much higher than that required to meet minimum academic standards.
GRIEVANCE & APPEALS POLICY
Students who want to pursue a grievance or appeal (appeal a grade, for example) should follow this step-by-step procedure:
Step 1: If, after attempting to resolve the problem directly with a GKSOM administrator, professor, staff member, or fellow student, the student cannot resolve the matter, the disagreement should be brought to the attention of the Graduate Committee Chair (GD Chair). The GD Chair will discuss various options to further air the disagreement, including the possibility of speaking to the other person again, with the GD Chair present to act as a mediator, or the filing of a formal complaint. If the disagreement is with the GD Chair, the student should bring the matter to the attention of the Director of the GKSOM.
Step 2: If a formal complaint is referred to the Graduate Committee for resolution, the GD Chair shall utilize the Committee to render a decision on the grievance/appeal after interviewing both parties involved.
Step 3: If the student is not satisfied with the committee’s decision, the matter may be referred to the Director of the GKSOM for another hearing.
Step 4: If the person filing the complaint fails to receive satisfaction from the GKSOM Director, the matter may be referred back to the GD Chair, who will then seek the counsel of the Dean of the Graduate College to determine the next course of action.
DEGREE COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS
A master’s degree student is expected to complete all degree requirements within five years of their first term of admission to the master’s degree program, unless the student is enrolled in a program with a different time limit that has been approved by the Office of Graduate Studies. Graduate courses taken prior to the start of the master’s degree program and not counted toward a previously awarded graduate degree may be included on the student’s Memorandum of Courses, provided the previous courses were taken within 10 years at the time of degree completion (UNL Graduate Catalog, Time to complete a master's degree). Limited exceptions will be made for students pursuing the Music Education Specialization.
Information on requesting an Academic Leave is found here: https://graduate.unl.edu/academics/academic-leave/.
Requests for degree extensions must be approved by the student's advisor and the GKSOM Graduate Chair before submission to the Office of Graduate Studies.