Master’s degree programs in composition, musicology, music education, and music theory include a thesis.

Thesis Proposal:

The student's thesis proposal must be approved by a committee, including a first draft deadline and completion timeline agreed upon by the student and the committee. While the student is working on their thesis proposal, they should register for MUS 605: Thesis Proposal with their faculty advisor.

The SOMD Graduate Office should receive the approved proposal at least two terms before the intended term of completion. Once the proposal is approved, the student can register for thesis credit (503) and begin working with committee members to complete the thesis. To register for thesis proposal or thesis credits, submit the Individualized Study Request Form. 

If the nature of the thesis changes or if the committee membership changes, a revised proposal form must be filed in the SOMD Graduate Office.

Thesis Committee:

The thesis committee includes three faculty members, two of whom must be from the student’s area, including the advisor, who serves as the chair of the committee. Exceptions must be approved by the ADGS. At the completion of the thesis or project, this committee will also function as the thesis defense committee.

Thesis Formatting: The UO Division of Graduate Studies’ Style and Policy Manual for Theses and Dissertations contains detailed information regarding thesis formatting.

Thesis Credit Registration:

Students may only register for thesis credit (503) after the proposal is approved by the committee and submitted to the SOMD Graduate Office.

To register for thesis credit each term, students must complete and submit the Individualized Study Request Form. If it is the student's first term registering for thesis credits, they are required to include a proposal with the form. These requests should be made in the term preceding the intended term of registration.

In the term the degree is to be received, the student must register for at least three (3) graduate credits. For thesis students, only 1 of the minimum required 3 credits must be MUS/MUE 503. In the thesis option, the student must satis­factorily complete a total of nine (9) credit hours of MUS or MUE 503: Thesis.

Thesis Defense:

A final copy of the thesis must be submitted to each committee member at least four weeks prior to the Master’s thesis defense. Master’s thesis defenses must occur no later than Friday of week 10 in a given term. Unless prior arrangements are made with the ADGS, all committee members must be physically present at the final defense. Approval of the thesis requires a unanimous vote of the committee.

Thesis ProQuest Submission: The completed and approved thesis must be submitted online to ProQuest via the UO Division of Graduate Studies by the published deadline.

For detailed steps regarding Thesis ProQuest submission, visit this page. Please note that this part of the process is managed by the Division of Graduate Studies and NOT the SOMD. Therefore, it is crucial that students follow instructions carefully to ensure timely graduation.

Thesis Checklist:

In addition to these requirements, Students completing a thesis should familiarize themselves with all the UO Division of Graduate Studies’ requirements.

Master’s degree programs in Intermedia Music Technology, Music Education (called a Processfolio) and Piano Pedagogy include a final project.

Project Proposal:

The student's project proposal must be approved by a committee, ideally including a first draft deadline and completion timeline agreed upon by the student and the committee. While the student is working on their project proposal, they should register for MUS 605: Project Proposal with their faculty advisor.

The SOMD Graduate Office should receive the approved proposal at least one term before the intended term of completion. Once the proposal is approved, the student can register for project credit (MUE 601 or MUS 609) and begin working with committee members to complete the project. To register for project proposal or project credits, submit the Individualized Study Request Form. 

Processfolio students are not required to submit a proposal, but will need to declare their committee members with the SOMD Graduate Office one term before the intended term of completion. 

If the nature of the project changes or if the committee membership changes, a revised proposal form must be filed in the SOMD Graduate Office.

Project Committee:

The project committee should comprise of three faculty members, two of whom must be from the student’s area, including the advisor, who serves as the chair of the committee. Exceptions must be approved by the ADGS. At the completion of the thesis or project, this committee will also function as the project defense committee.

Project Formatting:

Consult your faculty advisor and your area’s specific policy & procedures for project formatting.

Project Credit Registration:

Students may only register for project credit after the proposal is approved by the committee and submitted to the SOMD Graduate Office.

• Intermedial Music Technology: MUS 609
• Music Education & Piano Pedagogy: MUE 601

To register for project or processfolio credits each term, students must complete and submit the Individualized Study Request Form. If it is the student's first term registering for project credits (processfolio students just need to include their committee names), they are required to include a proposal with the form. These requests should be made in the term preceding the intended term of registration.

In the term the degree is to be received, the student must register for at least three (3) graduate credits. In the project option, the student must satisfactorily complete the required number of credit hours for their program of MUS or MUE 601: Research or MUS 609: Terminal Project.

Project Defense:

A final copy of the project must be submitted to each committee member at least four weeks prior to the Master’s project defense. Master’s project defenses must occur no later than Friday of week 10 in a given term. Unless prior arrangements are made with the ADGS, all committee members must be physically present at the project defense. Approval of the project requires a unanimous vote of the committee.

Project Scholars’ Bank Submission:

Completed and approved projects must be submitted online to UO Scholars’ Bank. Once the committee approves the final draft, complete the online submission form and follow the instructions for uploading the project onto Scholars’ Bank (for details, see their website).

Project Checklist:

See A10. Recital Policy (All Graduate Students).

If a student is planning to use human subjects (e.g., experiments, interviews, surveys) as part of any research activity, prior university permission is required. Prior to any contact with the proposed subjects, permission to use human subjects must be obtained from Research Compliance Services. Details may be found here or on the UO Division of Graduate Studies’ website.

Once obtained, students are required to submit approval documentation from Research Compliance Services to the SOMD Graduate Office.