Students

info for transfer students

This page includes information and tips especially for community college transfer students. If you have additional questions, do not hesitate to contact us, and we will be happy to provide you with answers and guidance.

1. Deadlines to keep in mind
2. What courses should I take at community college to best prepare myself for the MSU music program?
3. What community college music courses will transfer to MSU?
4. What do I need to know about the Upper Division Proficiency Exam at MSU?
5. Will I be able to complete my music degree in a short amount of time?

Deadlines to keep in mind!

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• Schedule an audition with the Music Department early in the academic year before you plan to attend MSU. The earlier you audition, the more likely you will be able to receive a department scholarship or stipend.
• The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be submitted as soon as possible after January 1 for students entering college the following Fall semester.
• The Application to the University must be received by April 1st to be considered for scholarships (February 1st for entering freshmen).
• Final application deadline for freshmen and transfer students is August 1st for the fall semester. You will not be considered for academic scholarships if you miss the April 1st deadline, however.

What courses should I take at community college to best prepare myself for the MSU music program?

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• In order to stay on track with your music degree at Mississippi State, it is best to take as many core courses as possible (basic classes such as English, math, history, sciences, etc). Only a limited number of your community college music courses will transfer for the music major. Rather than taking mainly music courses at the community college, be sure to keep on track with your general education courses (if you plan to be a music major) and work on fulfilling your University core curriculum requirements.
• Take writing classes, especially if you are not comfortable expressing yourself through written word. You will be required to write several papers and pass a writing test for your music major at Mississippi State. Good writing skills are essential.
• Review the MSU degree programs for music majors and minors for specific course requirements.

What community college music courses will transfer to MSU?

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• In terms of music courses, one semester of Music History and up to two years of Music Theory will generally transfer.
• For non-music courses, the University will generally accept up to half of the credits that are needed to complete the MSU degree.
• The Registrar makes the final decision as to which classes will transfer. You must have earned at least a C in the courses you wish to transfer.

What do I need to know about the Upper Division Proficiency Exam at MSU?

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• Because you will be transferring into our program with several semesters of college study already completed, you will be taking the Upper Division Proficiency Exams within the first or second year that you are at MSU.
• You must pass these exams in order to take the following courses: 3000 level applied study, MU4313 form & Analysis, MU3442 Conducting, MUE3333 Introduction to Piano Pedagogy, MUE3243 Planning in Music, MUE3253 Performance Assessment in Music, MUE4886, 4896 Student Teaching, and MUE4873 Student Teaching Seminar.
• See the most current Student Handbook regarding content for the exam. It includes 1. an oral presentation and performance, 2. written and aural theory evaluations, and 3. a music history/written communication evaluation.
• A jury committee will schedule a time immediately prior to or during the first week of classes of initial enrollment at MSU for students to do the oral presentation and performance. Students may elect to schedule the oral presentation and performance during spring scholarship auditions.
• The written theory exam will be given in the first weeks of fall semester upon request.
• The history/writing exam and the written theory exams will both be given at the end of each semester on a designated Saturday.
• Transfer students may seek an exemption from the music faculty to passing all phases of the upper division exams prior to taking upper division courses through their advisor.
• You have three chances to pass each portion of the exam, but be aware than an initial failure may put you behind in your sequence of 3000 and 4000 level courses.
• The Music Theory proficiency exam covers concepts and content over four semesters of theory and ear training courses. Specifically:
  1. MU 1213 - Music Theory I
  2. MU 1321 - Sight singing and Ear training I
  3. MU 1413 - Music Theory II
  4. MU 1521 - Sight singing and Ear training II
  5. MU 2613 - Music Theory III
  6. MU 2721 - Sight singing and Ear training III
  7. MU 2813 - Music Theory IV
  8. MU 2921 - Sight singing and Ear training IV
• The Music History proficiency exam covers concepts and content over three semesters of music history courses. Specifically:
  1. MU 1162 - Music History I
  2. MU 2322 - Music History II
  3. MU 2323 - Music History III
• A study guide for Music History and a study guide for Music Theory are available on our website.

Will I be able to complete my music degree in a short amount of time?

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• For transfer students with four or more semesters completed, it is quite possible to finish a music degree at MSU in 2 or 3 years if:
  • You have taken appropriate music and core curriculum courses that transfer.
  • You do well in your classes at MSU, and do not have to retake any classes due to a failing grade.
  • You are prepared for the Upper Division Proficiency Exam so that you can begin to take 3000 and 4000 level music courses at the designated time.