Each candidate for the master’s degree under Plan I must submit a thesis that gives evidence of capacity for competent research. The thesis must be approved by the student’s advisory committee. The thesis director will serve as chairperson of this committee and will assume the major responsibility for guiding the student’s work. A complete draft of the thesis should be submitted to the advisory committee well in advance of the anticipated graduation date. A manual of instructions for the preparation of theses is available at the UNM Bookstore. Consult your advisory committee chair for the proper format for theses in composition.
The Plan I student must complete a minimum of six hours of Master’s Thesis (MUS 599) credit. Having once registered for Master’s Thesis, the student must continue to register for a minimum of one hour of MUS 599 during each regular semester (exclusive of summer) until the thesis is approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies. This rule applies whether or not the student is enrolled for anything else.
Two copies of the typewritten thesis, together with two copies of an abstract of 300-500 words, all in acceptable form and approved by the student’s advisory committee, shall be submitted for the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies by the following deadlines:
November 15 for Fall graduation
April 15 for Spring graduation
July 15 for Summer graduation.
A third copy shall be deposited with the Department of Music. Deadlines for the thesis submission are firm and strictly enforced.
Arrangements for thesis reproduction may be made at the Graduate and Professional Student Association Office.
The Associate Deans of Graduate Studies are responsible for recommending approval of a thesis to the Dean of Graduate Studies, who has responsibility to submit the thesis free of grammatical errors and typing mistakes, and to proof reproduction, etc. The Office of Graduate Studies is not responsible for proofreading. OGS responsibility includes the evaluation not only of the physical presentation of the thesis, but also, at least in a general way, of the substance and methodology of the work.
Thesis/Project in Music Education
Students in the Concentration in Music Education choose either the Thesis (6 hours of MUSE 599) or Project (4 hours of MUSE 598) option. Those contemplating doctoral studies are encouraged to complete a thesis, although there is no requirement. The distinction between the thesis and project is roughly the same as that between basic and action research. In basic research (thesis), the emphasis is on contribution to general knowledge. The researcher is expected to achieve findings of relevance to the wider world of music education. Generalizability of findings is not emphasized in action research; implications for local teaching concerns are sufficient. For example, development of a set of instructional materials uniquely suitable for one's own teaching circumstances would be an appropriate topic for a project. Note that while their emphases are different, the thesis and project have the following in common:
- The topic must be significant. The student is expected to make a case for the need for the project and its potential to improve music teaching in some meaningful way.
- An endeavor of substantial scope is expected. Consider 30 pages a minimum length, although most final documents are longer.
- The research approach can be either qualitative or quantitative.
- The report format for a project will usually be similar to that of a thesis: 1) an introduction that "sets the scene" by describing a need, suggesting ways of addressing the need, and culminating in the statement of a research purpose or problem; 2) a review of literature section that describes what others have done or discovered about the project topic; 3) a methodology section that describes the actions the student took to fulfill the research purpose; 4) a section describing the results achieved; 5) a concluding discussion of the implications of the results. While it may not be necessary for a project to have the identical formal structure described above, the final report is likely to follow the same general explanatory steps.
Commencement of the thesis/project process can be at any time, but typically occurs after the first semester of enrollment. The first step is to consult with your music education advisor about ideas of interest. MUSE 532 Introduction to Research in Music Education is designed to assist the student in conceiving a topic and engaging in the research process. Those students who are unable to take that course early in their studies are encouraged to seek supplemental assistance from a music education advisor. In addition, there are many excellent texts that students can consult to bolster their understanding of the research paradigm, including the following:
Gay, L. R. and Peter Airasian. Educational Research: Competencies for Analysis andApplications. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson, 2003.
Rainbow, Edward and Hildegard Froehlich. Research in Music Education. NY: Schirmer, 1987.
