Registration Requirements

Responsible Conduct of Research Training (RCR)

All graduate students at Duke University are required to complete a series of training sessions in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR). As explained in more detail on the Graduate School web site, these sessions normally consist of two components: the first is an orientation workshop given at the beginning of each academic year. Students in the Humanities and Social Sciences will attend an introductory workshop in Durham. All Ph.D. students will subsequently attend a minimum number of RCR forums or other training experiences (including workshops and courses) scheduled throughout the academic year on topics related to responsible conduct of research. Students attending the on-campus introductory workshop receive 4 units of credit.  A total of 12 units is required to graduate.

Fall and Spring Registration

New students register at the beginning of the term in which they enter. Registration takes place during the preceding semester on dates that will be announced by the Registrar. Students will receive a memorandum from the Dean of the Graduate School and the DGS outlining the registration procedures. The DGS will meet with students individually to go over course selections for the upcoming semester.

Summer Registration

The Department of Music does not offer graduate courses during the summer. If you are completing requirements for a degree (i.e., the Qualifying Examination or the Dissertation Defense) during the summer, you must register for the summer term.If you do not enroll in courses (i.e., you are only taking an exam), you will need to register for Continuation during the summer term. You will need to pay tuition and health fees.  Be advised that if you do not pay the Student Health fee for the summer you will be ineligible for treatment by the University Student Health Service during this period. Further insurance information from Student Health and Wellness. If you prefer to use an external health insurer during the summer, you must submit a waiver of fees to Student Health prior to the summer term.

Note on Course Selection

Many students understandably have a natural inclination to select courses in their areas of special interest. However, the area in which one feels least at home may be precisely the area in which one would gain the most from the structured introduction that a course on the subject will offer. Furthermore, the value of graduate courses, particularly seminars, lies not only in gaining knowledge of some specific area but also in being introduced to new approaches and methods that may be applicable to your own areas of interest. Practically speaking, such courses or TA assignments can prepare you for unexpected teaching assignments in a faculty position after graduation.

Courses outside the Department of Music

Under normal circumstances Year 1 students may not take courses outside the Music Department.  The exception is Ethnomusicology, which explicitly states course requirements in Cultural Anthropology (or a related field). 

Courses Primarily for Undergraduates

In exceptional cases, and with the approval of the DGS, a graduate student may enroll in undergraduate courses to round out their programs of study. Students pursuing a master’s degree are limited to two undergraduate courses; doctoral students may take as many as required with the approval of the DGS. Doctoral students may request enrollment in courses below the 500-level, which are intended for undergraduate students.  Such courses do not count toward the credits required for post-baccalaureate degree and are not included in GPA calculation.  The grading basis for these courses is A*, B*, C*, F*.  Foreign language courses do not count toward the required 51 units. 

Students who wish to enroll in an undergraduate course outside of Music may do so with the approval of the DGS, but no graduate credit will be awarded. A better option is to enroll in an Independent Study supervised by a faculty member in another department who could then require that you attend an undergraduate course taught by that faculty member.  You would submit additional graduate-level work determined by the faculty member that surpasses undergraduate requirements.  This arrangement must be approved well in advance by the Independent Study supervisor and the DGS.  While this is the preferred course of action, you should keep in mind that the faculty member may not have time to take on this additional obligation.

Independent Studies

Independent Studies serve as a preliminary exploration of a potential dissertation topic.  This does not apply to Independent Studies in Performance Practice required for the A.M. in Performance Practice. They are most appropriate after Year 1.  You should secure the agreement of the faculty member who would supervise the Independent Study at least two months in advance of the start of the semester (or late Spring for Independent Studies during the following Fall).  This will entail preparing a proposal, a preliminary bibliography, and a list of projects you would submit for evaluation.  Keep in mind that the faculty member may not have time to take on an additional obligation, so it is important to plan well in advance.  If you are interested in an Independent Study (other than those required for the Performance Practice degree), consult the DGS.

Registering for Courses at UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Greensboro, and NCCU

Duke has a cooperative agreement with UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Greensboro, and North Carolina Central University by which students can take courses at the other institutions. Ordinarily, students avail themselves of this opportunity only for courses on subjects in which they have special interests and that are not offered (or are unlikely to be offered soon) at their home institution.

Only full-time students are eligible for interinstitutional registration.  You must take at least an equivalent number of units at Duke during the same semester. First register at Duke for the desired course in the normal process of registration. Next, complete the Interinstitutional Approval Form. After securing approval from the Duke Registrar certifying eligibility for interinstitutional registration, you must then complete the registration process at the cooperating institution and submit documentation to the DGSA for approval by the DGS.

Lessons with Performance Faculty

Upon successful audition, graduate students may take lessons with performance faculty. Lesson fees will be waived, with approval of DGS. In cases where lesson times are limited the faculty will prioritize undergraduates.  Performance lessons do not count toward graduate course requirements aside from students pursuing the A.M. in Performance Practice.

Incomplete Grades

A grade of Incomplete may be given at the discretion of the instructor when a student is not able to complete coursework due to unforeseen circumstances, e.g., in the case of a prolonged illness. Preparing for the Qualifying or Preliminary Exams is not an acceptable reason for an Incomplete. The Graduate School permits Incompletes to be made up within a year after the conclusion of a course. If a student accumulates two or more Incompletes, the graduate faculty may declare the student’s progress towards the degree unsatisfactory, resulting in academic probation.

Students with unresolved Incompletes may not register for an Independent Study (excluding required Independent Studies for the A.M. in Performance Practice degree) or take the Qualifying or Preliminary Exams. Students with Incomplete grades do not qualify to receive a Summer Research Fellowship, even if it has been awarded.

Withdrawal and Leaves of Absence

Students who plan to withdraw from the Graduate School must send written notice to the DGS and the Dean prior to the anticipated date of withdrawal to avoid liability for tuition and fees. If students subsequently wish to reenter the program, they must apply for readmission and pay reinstatement fees as determined by the Graduate School.

Leaves of absence for up to one calendar year may be granted because of medical necessity, full-time employment, acceptance of external award judged likely to benefit the student as an individual, but not related to the degree requirements, or other acceptable reasons. Taking time off for personal studies or dissertation research are generally not acceptable reasons. The Graduate School must approve all leaves of absence.

Note that a leave of absence does not stop the “funding clock,” that is, funding will conclude five years after matriculation regardless of the leave.  Depending on circumstances, which include the student’s academic performance and the department’s internal resources, it may be possible to arrange for funding beyond five years, but such support is not guaranteed.

Annual Reports

All students must submit an annual report each spring that summarizes their progress in the program. The report is also an opportunity to notify the DGS and graduate faculty about upcoming projects, professional development interests, and any matter that may affect the student’s work in the program. The DGS will send a message every spring notifying students about the deadline for their reports.

Grievance Procedures and Standards of Conduct

The faculty, students, and staff are committed to sustaining a collegial departmental culture that is conducive to academic study, research, and artistic production.  In the case of a grievance about an academic issue (e.g., grades or decisions on a language exam) students should consult the DGS about appropriate channels of appeal. In addition to the academic standards published on this website, students and faculty may consult the Graduate School Bulletin, which describes policies pertaining to academic integrity, sexual harassment, and grievance procedures. In addition, the Graduate School maintains an online portal to help graduate students understand options, resources, and processes regarding questions about harassment, discrimination, and related problems. You can find the portal at https://projects.gradschool.duke.edu/reporting/.