Graduate Music
Information, Policies and Procedures
Table of Contents
A. Application Requirements for Degree-seeking Students
B. Audition Requirements
C. Acceptance
D. Diagnostic Exams
E. Non-Degree Graduate Students
F. Renewed Enrollment
(These links lead to individual pages for each degree program.)
A. Composition
B. Conducting, Choral Track
C. Conducting, Instrumental Track
D. Music Education, non-thesis option
E. Music Education, thesis option
F. Music History
G. Music Theory
H. Performance
I. Piano Pedagogy, non-thesis option
J. Piano Pedagogy, thesis option
A. Course Offerings [PDF]
B. Course Rotation [PDF]
A. Graduate Music Advisors
B. On-line Registration
A. Music Education, Music History, Music Theory, and Piano Pedagogy degrees
Required title page [Word document] | Thesis Proposal Form [PDF]
B. Composition degree
Required title page [Word document]
VI. Final Recital Guidelines (Conducting and Performance degrees)
A. Graded Recital Form [PDF]
B. Student/Faculty Event Form [PDF]
C. Facility Set-up and Recording Request Form [PDF]
A. Description
B. Application form [PDF]
A. Transfer Credit
B. Grading System
C. Grade Reports
D. Time Limits on Degrees
E. Transcript Requests
A. Student ID and Parking Permits
B. Library Policies
C. Computer Account
D. Health and Counseling Services
E. Housing Options
I. Admissions
A. Application Requirements for Degree-seeking Students
Butler University offers the following Master of Music (M.M.) degrees in music:
Composition
Conducting – choral track
Conducting – instrumental track
Music Education – both thesis and non-thesis options
Music History
Music Theory
Performance – piano, voice and orchestral instrument
Piano Pedagogy – both thesis and non-thesis options
MM Degrees with a Double Major
Students may also earn an MM degree with a double major by combining two of the above areas. One area will be declared the primary major; the other will be the secondary major. Applicants will need to complete the relevant audition/interview for both majors. For complete details click here.
Contacting the Office of Admission:
Office of Graduate Admission
Butler University
4600 Sunset Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46208-3485
Local: (317) 940-8407
Toll Free: (888) 940-8100
Fax: (317) 940-8150
Email: admission@butler.edu
Web: www.butler.edu/admission
CEEB code: 1073
Contact the School of Music:
Dr. Douglas Spaniol
Director of Graduate Studies in Music
Butler University
4600 Sunset Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46208-3485
Local: (317) 940-9064
Toll Free: (888) 940-8100
Fax: (317) 940-9258
Email: dspaniol@butler.edu
Applications for graduate admissions in music must be completed by February 15. Students applying after February 15 may be considered if space is available.
Standard admission requirements (included for every degree plan):
1. The School of Music Graduate Application. Click here to download the application. This application should be mailed directly to the School of Music Director of Graduate Studies.
2. The application for Graduate Admission. This is available online or from the University Graduate Admissions Office. There is a $35 application fee; this fee is waived if the application is filed on-line (click here for details). Former Butler students are also not required to submit the application fee.
3. An official transcript from each college or university previously attended. These must be mailed directly from the issuing institution to the University Graduate Admissions Office. An undergraduate degree must be completed before graduate study can begin. If the undergraduate degree is other than music, the requirements of Butler’s Bachelor of
Arts degree will be used by the Director of Graduate Music Studies, together with the
appropriate faculty, to create an individualized plan of study, including any remedial work. Remedial work may also be required in other instances depending upon the undergraduate degree and the graduate degree program.
4. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. Admission decisions are based on a number of factors including undergraduate GPA, audition/interview results, letters of recommendation, and GRE scores. Typical GRE scores (middle 50%) for Butler Master of Music students are 970-1270 (verbal plus quantitative) and 4.5-5.0 (analytical writing)
- This requirement is waived for applicants who have an earned a master's degree in any field.
- To take the GRE, students may visit GRE.org OR take the
exam at a Sylvan Learning Center. (One location in Indianapolis is 2727 E.
86th Street; 317-257-7546.) Butler's GRE code is 1073.
5. Three letters of recommendation. The letters must be on letterhead stationery that reflects the place of employment of the person providing the recommendation; the recommender should comment on the applicant's musical and academic abilities. The letters should be sent to:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Butler University
4600 Sunset Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46208-3485
6. For international students, a TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based test), 213 (computer-based test), or 79 (internet-based test) is required. In addition, the applicant must demonstrate financial resources sufficient to meet all education and living expenses prior to visa issuance. Additional details are available from the Admissions Office at 317-940-8100 or toll-free at 888-940-8100.
- If the undergraduate degree is from an American university, or from a country where English is the official language, there is no TOEFL requirement. This requirement is also waived for students who successfully complete the highest level of English instruction at the American Language Academy (ALA). Also acceptable is an IELTS (International English Language training System) score of 6.0.
- To clarify, the United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services and the U.S. Department of State require non-immigrant students to demonstrate financial resources sufficient to meet all education and living expenses for at least one year of study prior to visa issuance.
7. Specific additional admission requirements, by degree:
Composition:The candidate must submit scores and recordings of his/her original music. In addition, the applicant must arrange for a personal interview with the composition faculty of the School of Music.
Conducting – Choral: An audition, including both conducting and a solo performance on either piano or in voice, is required; a videotape of the applicant conducting a rehearsal or performance (front view) may be substituted for the live audition. In addition, the applicant must arrange for a personal interview with the choral conducting faculty of the School of Music.
Conducting – Instrumental: An audition or videotape of a recent performance is required to be approved by the instrumental conducting faculty of the School of Music.
Music Education (both tracks): The applicant must arrange for a personal interview with the music education faculty of the School of Music.
Music History: A document representing undergraduate music history work should be submitted. In addition, the applicant must arrange for a personal interview with the musicology faculty of the School of Music.
Music Theory: A representative analysis paper from the applicant's undergraduate music theory work should be submitted. In addition, the applicant must arrange for a personal interview with the music theory faculty of the School of Music.
Performance: An audition is required; an audition tape, preferably a videotape, may be sent in lieu of a live audition. A list of audition requirements is available from the School of Music admissions office or on-line.
Piano Pedagogy (both tracks): The applicant must present an audition (live or videotaped) that demonstrates both teaching and performance proficiencies, as well as arrange for a personal interview with the piano pedagogy faculty of the School of Music.
Back to Table of Contents
B. Audition Requirements
Each audition includes a short interview. Sight-reading and scales/arpeggios are not required in any of the auditions.
Voice:
Prepare 30 minutes of memorized repertoire from which the audition committee will choose. The audition will last approximately 20 minutes.
Repertoire must include at least one selection in French, Italian and German, as well as one aria from opera or oratorio.
Repertoire should represent various periods and styles.
Auditioners should bring a copy of undergraduate transcripts (unofficial) and a résumé detailing his/her performance history and repertoire.
Auditioners may bring their own accompanist or, with sufficient notice, one will be provided.
Strings:
Be prepared to play for 20-30 minutes, with repertoire representing at least three different periods (Baroque, Classic, Romantic, 20th Century). No accompanist will be provided or required, however you may bring your own accompanist if you choose. At least one piece must be memorized. Sight-reading may also be included in your audition. The audition will include a
short interview.
Brass and Woodwinds:
Students should be prepared to play entire work(s) from the standard repertoire. Selected works should be musically and technically advanced, i.e. suitable as major works on a senior recital. An accompanist is strongly recommended. Etudes, scales, arpeggios, and orchestral excerpts may also be included. Students should confer with the faculty member with whom they wish to study about specific requirements and appropriate repertoire.
Piano:
Performance:
Applicants should plan to play from memory selections from at least three of the following areas: J. S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue or larger work; Classical sonata by Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven; Significant work from the Romantic Period; Standard 20th century work. You will also be asked to sight-read as part of this audition.
All other degrees:
Applicants should plan to play from memory three important contrasting works from different styles and periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary).
Piano Pedagogy (thesis and non-thesis):
1) A live audition/interview. Applicants should plan to play from memory selections from at least three of the following areas: J. S. Bach: Prelude and Fugue or larger work; Classical sonata by Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven; Significant work from the Romantic Period; Standard 20th century work. You will also be asked to sight-read as part of this audition. Each audition/interview is scheduled for 30 minutes.
2) A 45-60 minute videotape or DVD demonstrating teaching abilities, postmarked no later than one week before the audition date.
Revised 08/07
Back to Table of Contents
C. Acceptance
The Graduate Office of Admissions will notify each applicant by mail as to whether admission has been granted. Any qualifying conditions will be indicated in the acceptance letter.
Upon admission, a student is assigned to an academic advisor.
To change from one music degree program to another, a student must submit a new graduate application to the Office of Graduate Admissions and be admitted into that program.
Students who do not enter with a bachelor's degree in music will be required to complete the coursework required for Butler's Bachelor of Arts degree in music in addition to the graduate coursework prescribed for their degree program.
Back to Table of Contents
D. Diagnostic Exams
The Graduate Music Diagnostic Exams are administered prior to the start of classes, and are required for placement purposes. The following exams are administered:
- music theory – required of all degree plans
- music history – required of all degree plans
- diction – required of vocal performance and choral conducting majors
- translation – required of music history and music theory majors. The student may choose either French or German; a dictionary may be used.
A student who does not pass one or all of these exams will be required to take the required remedial course in their area of deficiency within the first 12 credit hours of coursework. These remedial courses count as elective credit in the student’s degree plan, but will not fulfill specific course area requirements.
All incoming graduate students are required to take the appropriate exams, including Butler University graduates. More information concerning these exams is sent to all incoming students.
Back to Table of Contents
E. Non-degree Graduate Students
A person holding a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited
college or university who wishes to take graduate work for purposes
other than obtaining an advanced degree (e.g., for teacher licensure to
transfer to another institution, or for self-enrichment) may file a
non-degree application. Application forms may be obtained from and
submitted to the Office of Graduate Admission, and are also available
online.
An official transcript with a baccalaureate degree posted must be mailed
directly from the issuing institution to the Office of Graduate
Admission. Applications must be received one week prior to the first day
of class.
If a non-degree student chooses to enter a graduate degree program, the
student must complete a graduate degree-seeking application and follow
the applicable admissions procedures for the appropriate major.
All non-degree students are urged to become degree-seeking by the time
they have completed 9-12 semester hours of graduate credit. A student
can petition the Director of Graduate Music Studies to have up to 12
hours of non-degree work applied toward the degree program.
Back to Table of Contents
F. Renewed Enrollment
Any student whose attendance is interrupted by one academic year or more must file an Application for Renewed Enrollment. The application should be submitted to the following:
- Office of Graduate Admission - if the student is seeking enrollment into a new degree program or changing status from non-degree to degree-seeking
- Office of Registration and Records - in all other circumstances
Students enrolled in a graduate program at Butler University 10 or more years ago may be considered for re-admission for graduate study. Candidates must submit a new graduate degree-seeking application (see section above on applying for graduate admission) and meet current admission requirements.
Only coursework taken subsequent to the new admission will be counted toward degree requirements. All academic records, however, will be maintained so that the transcripts will reflect all of the studies and cumulative grade point average undertaken at Butler University.
An official transcript for any college work taken since a student's last enrollment at Butler must be mailed directly from the issuing institution to the Office of Registration and Records.
Back to Table of Contents
II. Degree Curricula
(These links lead to individual pages for each degree program.)
A. Composition
B. Conducting, Choral Track
C. Conducting, Instrumental Track
D. Music Education, non-thesis option
E. Music Education, thesis option
F. Music History
G. Music Theory
H. Performance
I. Piano Pedagogy, non-thesis option
J. Piano Pedagogy, thesis option
III. Graduate Courses
A. Course Offerings [PDF]
B. Course Rotation [PDF]
IV. Academic Advising and Course Registration
A. Graduate Music Advisors
Composition – Dr. Michael Schelle
Office – Lilly Hall, room 219
Phone – (317) 940-9642 or 1-800-368-6852, ext. 9642
E-mail: mschelle@butler.edu
Conducting: Choral – Prof. Henry Leck
Office – Lilly Hall, room 002
Phone – (317) 940-9633 or 1-800-368-6852, ext. 9633
E-mail: hleck@butler.edu
Conducting: Instrumental – Dr. Robert Grechesky
Office – Lilly Hall, room 161
Phone – (317) 940-9244 or 1-800-368-6852, ext. 9244
E-mail: rgreches@butler.edu
Music Education (thesis and non-thesis options) - Dr. Penny Dimmick
Office – Lilly Hall, room 242
Phone – (317) 940-6422 or 1-800-368-6852, ext. 6422
E-mail: pdimmick@butler.edu
Music History – Dr. James Briscoe
Office – Lilly Hall, room 15
Phone – (317) 940-9248 or 1-800-368-6852, ext. 9248
E-mail: jbriscoe@butler.edu
Music Theory – Dr. Jeffrey Gillespie
Office – Lilly Hall, room 220
Phone – (317) 940-6416 or 1-800-368-6852, ext. 6416
E-mail: jgillesp@butler.edu
Performance – Dr. Lisa Brooks
Office – Lilly Hall, room 221
Phone – (317) 940-9064 or 1-800-368-6852, ext. 9064
E-mail: lbrooks@butler.edu
Piano Pedagogy (thesis and non-thesis options) – Dr. Steven Roberson
Office – Lilly Hall, room 138G
Phone – (317) 940-9961 or 1-800-368-6852, ext. 9961
E-mail: sroberso@butler.edu
Non-Degree-seeking graduate students - Dr. Doug Spaniol
Office – Lilly Hall, room 221
Phone – (317) 940-9064 or 1-800-368-6852, ext. 9064
E-mail: dspaniol@butler.edu
COE seeking certification or re-certification – Dr. Daniel Bolin
Office – Lilly Hall, room 214
Phone – (317) 940-9256 or 1-800-368-6852, ext. 9256
E-mail: dbolin@butler.edu
Back to Table of Contents
B. On-line Registration
Each graduate student will be assigned to an academic advisor.
Graduate students register for classes on-line. It is essential to meet
with your advisor at the start of each registration period to discuss
course selection and progress towards completion of the degree. Once a
schedule has been determined, the advisor will remove the advising
"service indicator" on the student's web account, and the student can
register at his/her convenience.
Registration dates and times are published in the schedule of classes.
For short-term classes and workshops, a student may register on or
before the first day of classes.
Undergraduate prerequisite courses can be taken only for Z credit; this
means that the grade and hours will be indicated on the grade report and
transcript but not counted towards the GPA or towards the total graduate
hours required.
Courses taken by a graduate student cannot be taken pass/fail, but some
may be taken for non-credit. A student pays the full cost of tuition for
any non-credit coursework taken.
Back to Table of Contents
V. Thesis Guidelines
A. Music Education, Music History, Music Theory, and Piano Pedagogy Degrees
Required title page [Word document] | Thesis Proposal Form [PDF]
THE THESIS ADVISOR AND THESIS COMMITTEE: The Director of Graduate Music Studies, together with the appropriate School of Music faculty, will assign a Thesis Advisor to the Candidate and, with input from the advisor and the student, appoint a Thesis Committee of 3-5 faculty members who are qualified to offer advice and direction on the chosen topic.
SELECTION AND APPROVAL OF A TOPIC; DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPOSAL: The Candidate should consult with the Thesis Advisor so that an appropriate thesis topic is agreed upon. Topics frequently evolve from class discussions and lectures, term papers, conferences or collateral reading. Typically, a possible topic is determined by the second semester of enrollment. The Advisor will then assist the Candidate in formulating a Thesis Proposal, which will include a detailed research plan and annotated bibliography. The Proposal should be succinct but sufficiently developed to give clear indication of direction and methodology.
Once the Proposal has received the Advisor's approval, a copy of the Thesis Proposal Form must be submitted to the Director of Graduate Music Studies, as well as to all members of the Thesis Committee; copies of this form are available on-line or in the School of Music office. The Committee will then meet to review the Proposal. It is incumbent upon the Committee to carefully consider the Candidate's research plan and make alterations where needed. It is at this crucial stage that the fundamental essence of the thesis is shaped and basic premises given credence. Any primary objections to the project should be fully vetted. The Proposal may need to undergo one or more revisions until all members of the Committee are satisfied and vote to approve it. At that point the Candidate, with the Advisor's supervision, should commence the approved research plan.
The Committee should decide the manner and level of oversight it wishes to exert. Typically the Candidate will conduct the research and write a thesis draft in consultation with the Advisor, independent of the Committee. However, the Committee may direct that it wishes to remain actively involved, approving each chapter as it is produced in draft form. In all cases Committee members should remain ready consultants to both the Candidate and Advisor when called upon.
DIRECTIONS FOR FORMAT AND TYPING OF THESIS: The paper used for the Thesis will be 8 1/2 by 11 inches, 20-pound white bond. The Thesis must be letter-perfect with absolutely no evident corrections. The body of the Thesis will be double-spaced. The left margin should be 1 and 1/2 inches, and the right margin should be 1 inch. Only one side of the page is to be used. Page numbers must be Arabic numerals for the body, and small Roman numerals must be used for front matters, bibliography, and any appendices.The Thesis will be written in English unless the Committee has approved an exception. A standard Title Page format must be used.
The School of Music recommends Richard Wingell's Writing About Music: An Introductory Guide (Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2002) as a resource to assist in thesis preparation; it is available in the reference area of Irwin Library (ML 3797 .W54 2002). The required style manuals are the most recent editions of either The Chicago Manual of Style (Z253 .C571) or Kate L. Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses and Dissertations (LB2369 .T8 1996); both are available at the Reference Desk. The authority on spelling and usage is Webster's Third International Dictionary.
FINAL ORAL DEFENSE: When the Thesis draft is completed, a copy should be given to each member of the Committee at least two weeks before the oral defense is scheduled. During this defense the Candidate will be questioned about the conduct of the research, findings, and presentation. Minor alterations can be imposed, and errors of fact and grammatical/stylistic corrections are expected at this time. Substantive changes, though, that run contrary to the approved design of the Proposal are not allowed. However, if the Candidate has strayed from the intent and focus as articulated in the Proposal, the Committee has the right to require whatever revisions it deems essential. The Thesis draft may need to undergo one or more revisions until all members of the Committee are satisfied and vote to accept it.
SUBMISSION OF THE COMPLETED THESIS: Two copies of the Thesis in its final approved form (one for placement in Irwin Library and one for the School of Music's archives), and each accompanied by a completed Title page (see attached) with the original signatures of all members of the Committee, must be submitted to the Director of Graduate Music Studies. In addition, a receipt showing payment of the binding fee must be submitted as well. The fee is paid at the Irwin Library Circulation Desk; the Circulation Desk accepts cash and checks only, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm. The library pays for the binding of the Irwin Library Copy; the cost for the second copy is $10. The student may elect to bind additional copies for their personal use; the cost is $10 per copy and the library will pay the shipping and handling costs. The final grade for the thesis will not be awarded until the thesis copies and the receipt for payment of binding costs have been submitted to the Director of Graduate Music Studies.
Back to Table of Contents
B. Composition Degree
Required title page [Word document]
DIRECTIONS FOR THE FORMAT OF THE THESIS: A standard Title Page format must be used. The only technical specification for the score itself is that it must be printed on a thesis type or acid free paper. There are no set margins; the bindery can accommodate most sizes.
FINAL ORAL DEFENSE: The Director of Graduate Studies in Music, together with the student's composition teacher and with input from the student, will appoint a Thesis Committee of at least four faculty members, including the primary teacher, along with members of the composition, conducting, history and theory faculty, and/or a faculty member whose area of expertise is directly related to the thesis itself.
When the Thesis draft (score, plus accompanying recording and analysis paper) is completed, a copy should be given to each member of the Committee at least one week before the oral defense is scheduled. During this defense the Candidate will be questioned about the work and corollary areas related to it. The Thesis draft may need to undergo one or more revisions until all members of the Committee are satisfied and vote to accept it.
SUBMISSION OF THE COMPLETED THESIS: Two copies of the Thesis in its final approved form (one for placement in Irwin Library and one for the School of Musicís archives), and each accompanied by a completed Title Page (see attached) with the original signatures of all members of the Committee, must be submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies in Music. In addition, a receipt showing payment of the binding fee must be submitted as well. The fee is paid at the Irwin Library Circulation Desk; the Circulation Desk accepts cash and checks only, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm. The library pays for the binding of the Irwin Library Copy; the cost for the second copy is $10. The student may elect to bind additional copies for their personal use; the cost is $10 per copy and the library will pay the shipping and handling costs. The final grade for the thesis will not be awarded until the thesis copies and the receipt for payment of binding costs have been submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies in Music.
Back to Table of Contents
VI. Final Recital Guidelines (Conducting and Performance degrees)
Back to Table of Contents
VII. Final Oral Comprehensive Exam
Required of ALL degree plans
All students must pass a final comprehensive exam at the conclusion of
their course of study at Butler University. This comprehensive exam is
separate from the thesis defense. The exam will be oral, and will cover
the major components of the student's coursework and, if applicable, the
thesis or recital program.
In the final semester of study, the student should register for AM 799
(performance and conducting students), ME 799 (music education and piano
pedagogy students), MH 799 (music history students), or MT 799 (music
theory and composition students). This course registration will read
"Final Comprehensive Exam, 0 credit, P/F."
The Director of Graduate Studies, in consultation with the student's
advisor and the chair of the School of Music, will assign 3 faculty members to serve
on the student's examination committee. The committee will typically
include two members of the faculty from the appropriate area plus a
member of the musicology or theory faculty.
The length of the exam will be approximately 45-60 minutes. The exam
will typically be scheduled during the final 2 weeks of classes or
during the first few days of finals week. The student will be informed
immediately if he/she has passed.
Back to Table of Contents
VIII. Tuition and Fees
A bill for tuition and any additional fees is generated after the student registers for classes each semester.
A student may opt to pay their bill in full, or may elect to participate in a payment plan which, for a small fee, allows the student to pay their bill in installments.
Failure to pay the outstanding balance on the student's account may result in any or all of the following: interest charged on the outstanding balance, inability to register for the upcoming semester, and/or placement of a hold on the release of grades or transcripts.
Butler University accepts several forms of payment, including personal checks and credit cards (Discover, MasterCard, Visa, and American Express).
Non-credit registrations: Graduate students pay full tuition costs for credits taken as non-credit.
An "Applied Music Fee" is charged for all applied music registrations in addition to tuition.
Further information can be obtained from the Office of Student Accounts, 1-800-368-6852, extension 9353.
Back to Table of Contents
IX. Assistantships and Waivers
A. Description
Butler University's School of Music offers a limited number of tuition
waivers and assistantships to graduate students.
A tuition waiver covers the cost of tuition, or a percentage of tuition,
for one academic year. Any additional fees (such as the Applied Music
Fee) are not covered by the waiver. Students who receive a full tuition
waiver are expected to contribute 45 hours per semester of work as
assigned by the Chair of the School of Music. These duties might
include, for example, assisting with recruitment events or music
festivals on or off-campus, office work, etc.
A graduate assistantship covers the full cost of tuition for one
academic year; in addition, there is a small stipend which is paid over
nine months. Any additional fees (such as the Applied Music Fee) are not
covered by the assistantship. All graduate assistants work with a
faculty supervisor and are assigned a specific task, such as assisting
with the band, orchestra or choir, supervising the music technology lab,
etc.
All students who wish to be considered for one of these awards must
submit an application, including an up-to-date resume, by March 15. In addition, returning students are
required to submit two letters of recommendation. New students do not
need to submit any letters of recommendation. Assistantships and waivers
are renewable for a second year.
Back to Table of Contents
Back to Table of Contents
X. Graduation and Commencement
An application for graduation must be filed with the Office of Registration and Records when the student is within a semester of completing degree requirements; the deadline for applying for graduation is published in each semester’s course schedule.
After receiving the application for graduation, the Office of Registration and Records generates a graduation audit. The audit is completed by the Director of Graduate Music Studies, who indicates any remaining requirements that need to be completed. The Office of Registration and Records then notifies the candidate by letter as to the status of their graduation application, including any remaining requirements.
All candidates for May graduation are expected to attend commencement exercises. Any student who can not attend commencement must submit a petition to the Dean of the Jordan College of Fine Arts at least two weeks before the date of graduation, requesting exemption from attendance.
Academic regalia may be purchased at the Butler Bookstore. The Bookstore hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. You may also purchase caps, gowns, announcements, and hoods on line by accessing the website of Jostens at www.shop.jostens.com.
Additional information about commencement is available on-line at http://www.butler.edu/commencement/.
Although the only commencement ceremony is held in May, degrees also may be officially conferred upon request in August or December.
Upon request, a student who has been officially graduated in August or December may participate in commencement the following May.
Back to Table of Contents
XI. Academic Policies
A. Transfer Credit
All work toward a graduate degree should be completed at Butler.
However, under special circumstances and within certain limits, graduate
work taken at a regionally-accredited institution may be transferred and
applied toward the degree. Grades of A or B must have been received
(Credits carrying a grade of pass, satisfactory or earning a grade less
than a B will not be transferable) and the courses must be acceptable to
the student's advisor. Subject to these restrictions, up to nine
semester hours may be transferred in 30-hour programs; up to 12 hours
may be transferred in 36-hour programs. Credits only—not grades—will be
transferred. Course work falling outside of the time limit for the
degree will not be considered. To request transfer credit, the student
should file a "Request for the Transfer of Graduate Credits" form. This
form is obtained from and returned to the Office of Registration and
Records.
Back to Table of Contents
B. Grading System & Z–Credit
No course with a grade below a C is deemed to satisfy the degree requirements. (C-minus is considered unsatisfactory.) While grades below C are not counted toward the completion of degree requirements, they are counted in determining the student's grade point average. In addition, students must achieve an overall grade average of B or better in all graduate work attempted.
In no case may a student take more than 12 hours in excess of the degree
requirements in order to satisfy the foregoing grade point average
requirement.
Any graduate student, whether degree-seeking or non-degree-seeking, who
fails to make satisfactory progress in the course work may be declared
academically ineligible for additional enrollment.
Graduate students may not take courses offered as ABC grading for
"pass/fail" (P/F).
The following grades are not computed in the grade point average:
W- Official withdrawal. Permitted until the 10th of a regular 14-week
semester or the fourth week of a 6-week summer session. Students should
contact registration and records for withdrawal dates for short session
courses. The instructor’s signature is required for all withdrawals.
NC- Enrollment in a course on a non-credit basis. A student may change
from credit to non-credit in a course until the 10th week of a regular
semester, fourth week of the summer session. The instructor's signature
is required. The non-credit grade may be changed to withdrawal by an
instructor if the student does not attend class.
I-Incomplete grade. This grade may be assigned by an instructor when
exceptional circumstances prevent a student’s finishing all work
required in a course. The "I" must be removed within the next regular
session of the student’s enrollment or within two years if the student
is not again enrolled during that time. If the "I" is not removed within
the stated time, the "I" will be changed to "X".
X-Unredeemed incomplete grade. This indicates no credit earned, no hours
attempted, and no grade point average.
Graduate students may take undergraduate courses for "Z–Credit". Z–Credit courses do not fulfill graduation requirements for the MM degree; they are usually taken to remediate deficiencies or for personal fulfillment. Z–Credit courses do receive grades and appear on transcripts, however, these grades are not factored into the GPA.
Back to Table of Contents
C. Grade Reports
The Office of Registration of Records will send a grade report at the
close of each semester or summer term for which a student has enrolled.
If a clerical error appears to have been made, it should be brought to
the attention of that office. However, any question regarding the
accuracy or appropriateness for a grade should be directed to the
instructor.
No grade report will be sent to a student on whose record any
administrative office has placed a hold.
No administrative office may divulge grades or other confidential
information over the telephone.
Back to Table of Contents
D. Time Limits on Degrees
Time limits for completion of degree requirements are counted from the
date of the start of the first graduate course applied toward the
degree, as follows: five years for degrees requiring 30 semester hours;
seven years for degrees requiring 36 semester hours.
Back to Table of Contents
E. Transcript requests
No one but the student is authorized to obtain an official transcript.
Any request to have a transcript mailed must be made in writing, either
on a form available in the Office of Registration and Records or in a
letter signed by the student. The request must indicate the address to
which the transcript is to be sent and must be accompanied by the
required fee for each transcript requested.
Transcripts on file from other institutions may not be reproduced.
Copies must be requested directly from the issuing institutions.
To protect confidentiality, no telephone or telegraphed requests for
transcripts will be honored.
Back to Table of Contents
XII. Miscellaneous Information
A. Student ID and Parking Permits
You may obtain your student identification card and parking sticker from the Dispatch Office of Public Safety located in the Atherton Student Union Building.
Back to Table of Contents
B. Library Policies
All graduate students currently enrolled at Butler University are eligible to check out materials from the Butler University Libraries. Borrowers must present a valid ID card at the Circulation Desk when checking out materials. For more information, visit the library's circulation policy page for graduate students at http://www.butler.edu/library/libinfo/circgrad.html.
Back to Table of Contents
C. Computer Account
After receiving your letter of acceptance from the Butler University Admissions Office, you will be sent an e-mail or letter with your Butler computer log-in name and temporary password. You will need to have an active Butler e-mail account in order to register for classes; the Computer Center staff (Holcomb Building, room 317, 940-4357) can assist you if you prefer to forward your mail to a different, personal email address.
Back to Table of Contents
D. Health and Counseling Services
The Student Health Center serves graduate and undergraduate students of Butler University. Hours are posted. Services are provided on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis. Emergencies are given priority. The center is staffed by registered nurses and provides treatment for minor accidents and illnesses on an outpatient basis. A physician is available by appointment, three days a week, for acute care after being seen by a nurse. Conditions of a more serious nature are referred to local emergency rooms, or emergency centers, or to the student's private physician for treatment. Students are responsible for payment for all medical services. A completed health record is required to be on file at the center prior to attending classes. The Student Health Center is located at 525 W. Hampton Drive.
The University Counseling Center offers individual and group counseling for issues and problems related to academic, career and personal-social areas of life. Appointments to see a counselor may be made in person or by telephone. All counseling services, whether individual or group, are free of cost, confidential and strictly voluntary. Hours are 8:30 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday.
Back to Table of Contents
E. Housing Options
For assistance in finding housing, either on-campus or off-campus, you may call the Office of Student Affairs at 317-940-9381 or 1-800-368-6852, ext. 9381. You might also log on to www.indystar.com to check the classified ads in The Indianapolis Star if you are looking for an apartment.
Back to Table of Contents
