Information for Current Students

Graduate Classical Music Theory Results (updated 21 August 2025)
Graduate Jazz Music History, Music Theory, and Piano Results (COMING SOON)
Graduate CMF Placement Exam Results (COMING SOON)

Placement Exam Information 2025 (updated 17 June 2025)

The tuition scholarship portion of a graduate award is typically split 50/50 over the fall and spring semesters.  If a student would like to request a different distribution, they should submit their request in writing to Zachary A. Peterson, Associate Director of Graduate Advising and Services, at zpeterson@esm.rochester.edu. Requests will be reviewed by the Graduate Studies Office to ensure the requested distribution is appropriate based on anticipated registrations. Approved changes will be communicated by the Graduate Office to the Office of Financial Aid.

Occasionally, a graduate student may wish to undertake a research or performance project for academic credit on an “independent study” basis. All projects are to be completed by the student working on an independent basis with occasional guidance from a faculty advisor.

Permission to undertake an independent study project is a privilege granted to students who have demonstrated their ability to work well on their own. The student wishing to undertake the project must complete this form in consultation with an advisor. Written approval of the proposal must be obtained from the faculty advisor of the project, the departmental chair, and the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies.

i. The description of the proposal should be developed in consultation with the faculty advisor.ii. Supporting materials (e.g. a bibliography) should be attached to this application.iii. A project normally results in a paper or performance by the student. The faculty advisor will sign the proposal, indicating approval. In addition, s/he should indicate what work or performance will be used to evaluate the student’s independent study project.

The Associate Dean of Graduate Studies will determine, based on the proposal, the number of credits to be received for the independent study project.

Students on internships or international students doing Curricular Practical Training should use this form to register for ALC 490Z. Students pursuing CPT must be registered/approved through the International Student Office. All internships or Curricular Practical Training must have a designated supervisor in the host organization or business. Students who have questions about the CPT process at Eastman should consult the Associate Director of Graduate Advising and Services.

Students are encouraged to submit their independent study proposals to the Graduate Studies Office (gradstudies@esm.rochester.edu) in the semester prior to registering for the project.  However, students MUST submit their proposals no later than the date outlined on the Eastman Academic Calendar.  If a proposal is received after the deadline, the student must wait until the subsequent semester to register for the project.  Exceptions to the deadline may be granted by the Graduate Studies Office.

Questions concerning independent study projects for graduate students should be directed to gradstudies@esm.rochester.edu.

Independent Study/Internship/Practicum Course Proposal Form

Important note: These interactive forms MUST be filled out using Adobe Acrobat.

The academic plan must be prepared by the doctoral student in consultation with his/her program advisor and submitted electronically to the appropriate graduate committee for approval. Please read the instructions carefully before proceeding:

• Instructions for preparing a DMA academic plan

• Instructions for preparing a PhD academic plan

Downloadable Forms – “Save as…” Required

Please choose the appropriate template from the documents below. You must right click or similar on the file and choose “Save as…” to download a copy to your personal computer. Opening these files in your browser is unreliable and may result in an error message.

• DMA Composition
• DMA Conducting
• DMA Early Music
• DMA Jazz & Contemporary Media
• DMA Music Education
• DMA Performance & Literature (piano only)
• DMA Performance & Literature (all others)
• DMA Piano Accompanying & Chamber Music

• MA Musicology
• MA Theory
• PhD Composition
• PhD Music Education
• PhD Musicology
• PhD Music Theory (for students entering with a Bachelors degree)
• PhD Music Theory (for students entering with a Masters degree)

Once approved by the appropriate graduate committee, the program of study constitutes the formal requirements that must be met by the student in order to complete their degree. Any subsequent changes to the approved program of study must be resubmitted to the committee for approval.  Students must submit their request in writing to the Office of Graduate Studies (GradStudies@esm.rochester.edu).  Please see the Graduate Calendar for submission deadlines for the current semester.

View Guides (Password Required)

Contact GradStudies@esm.rochester.edu to request access.