Music (MM) - Percussion Performance Concentration

Degree Requirements

Degree Requirements and Courses

Students must complete a minimum of 32 semester hours of credit in approved 500-level courses. A minimum of 20 semester hours must be completed at the University of South Alabama. Up to 12 hours of USA courses taken while in another program (or non-degree status) may be applied. Only courses not applied to another degree may count. Maximum of 12 hours with grades of "A", "B", or "S" of approved transfer credit is allowed. If the university is non-accredited, the individual USA graduate program will determine if the quality and content of the courses meet the standards of the program.

Grade Requirements

  • A minimum of a 3.0 GPA on all work attempted is required for graduation.
  • Courses in which a student receives a "D" or below will not be counted toward the degree program.
  • A maximum of two courses with a grade of "C" will be counted toward the degree program.
  • Students receiving four grades of "C" or below, regardless of the overall GPA will be dismissed from the program.
  • A student who receives a failing grade in a course for graduate credit may be dismissed from the program.

Time Limitations

  • All degree requirements must be completed within seven calendar years.
  • Most students who take nine hours per semester complete the degree within a two-year period.
  • The time required for degree completion depends on how many courses a student can take each semester and the ability of that student to complete the recital(s) or final project(s).

Course Load

Six to ten credit hours per semester constitute a full-time course load.

Note: No more than twelve credits in this area are applicable toward a degree.

Performance Degree Course Requirements by Concentration

  • All master’s degree students will be advised by the Graduate Music Program Coordinator to ensure timely completion of the curriculum.
  • The time required for degree completion depends on how many courses a student can take each semester and the ability of that student to complete the recital(s) or final project(s).

Percussion Performance Degree Checklist

(14-19 Courses, 32 Hours)

MUL 501Graduate Research in Music2
MUE 587Percussion Pedagogy2
MUL 587Percussion Literature3
MUS 587Arranging for Percussion1
Complete three hours of ensemble:3
MUO 5**
Select 12 hours from the following:12
American Music
Spec Topics in Music History
Intro Analysis of Music Lit
Pedagogy of Theory
Select eight hours from the following:8
Percussion
Percussion
Percussion
MUA 500Graduate Recital (Submit form at least 2 weeks prior) 11
Total Hours32

1 All Recitals: Students are required to write program notes under the supervision of their applied professor. Notes must include biographical information about composer and information about the piece. Cite sources, if used.