| |
 |
Double-Degree Program
This handbook is intended to help give insight into the
many possibilities that are available to you as a double-degree
student. Perhaps, more importantly, we also hope that this handbook
will help you avoid the pitfalls and problems that can arise
as part of the Double-Degree program. We urge you to read this
handbook carefully and to refer to it when you have questions.
Definition of Terms
• A&S–refers to the Arts &
Sciences division of Oberlin College. Also referred to as
the College. Students in the college are working toward the
B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) degree.
• Applied Study–(also referred to
as Private Study, Private Lessons, Principal Study)
these are the 4 - 6 credit hour lessons that Conservatory
and double-degree students take on their principal instrument
or voice. Voice performance majors in the first and second
years and Music Education majors (who are not double majors
in performance) may take Principal Study for 3 credits.
• Committees–Conservatory and double-degree
students in performance areas must pass a First, Second and
sometimes Third Committee at the end of each year of private
study. These committees are designed to measure progress on
your principal instrument or major area. Each major has specific
requirements for passing committees. If a student does not
pass the Sophomore Committee, he/she may not be allowed to
continue in that major.
• Con–the affectionate nickname for
the Conservatory of Music. Students are working toward the
B.Mus. (Bachelor of Music) degree, the Performance Diploma,
Artist Diploma, or Master’s degree in Historical Performance
or Opera Theater.
• DD–Double-Degree (not to be confused
with Double Major - see below). Students are working toward
the B.Mus. and B.A. degrees.
• Double Major–A student who is a
double major will receive a single degree with two
majors (e.g. piano performance and music theory, or chemistry
and English).
• Double-Degree Committee–This committee
was created to oversee the Double-Degree program and its students.
It is charged with helping students achieve and cope with
issues in both the College and Conservatory. The Co-Chairs
of the committee are Ellen Sayles, Associate Dean of Studies
in the College and Marci Alegant, Associate Dean in the Conservatory.
The Committee is comprised of faculty from both the College
and Conservatory as well as double-degree students.
• Music Major–a student in the College
of Arts and Sciences who is majoring in music. Also referred
to as the College Music Major or Musical Studies Major.
• Non-course Requirements–These are
the requirements (recitals, proficiencies, committees, etc.)
for which Conservatory and double-degree students do not register
but must complete in order to graduate. These requirements
are listed below the course requirements in the grid section
of the Course Catalog.
• Registrar–Located in Carnegie Hall,
the Registrar takes care of coordinating course registration.
If you have a registration problem, you may wish to contact
the Registrar’s Office first. There is also an Office
of the Registrar’s web
site.
Some
Common Concerns/Questions
One of the dominant themes of this handbook, and indeed, in
the Double-Degree program, is the challenge of combining the
demands and requirements of a liberal arts program with those
of a pre-professional music degree. By its very nature, the
liberal arts value breadth as well as depth, and therefore,
students are encouraged to explore widely. On the other hand,
the music student is traditionally urged to commit, commit,
commit, and practice, practice, practice. Time that is spent
doing other things is sometimes considered to be at the expense
of your music. Most students coming into the Double-Degree
program have experienced some of the tension already. In fact,
the reason some students choose to pursue the Double-Degree
is precisely because they enjoy the challenges inherent in
both degree programs. Double-degree students, teachers and
advisors should be aware of this tension as they find their
way through the challenges of the Double-Degree program. Listed
below are some of the questions and/or concerns students might
hear as they work their way through the five-year program.
Why double-degree?
This is the most crucial question of all, and the answers
to it are personal and individual. One of the greatest advantages
is that the program keeps the widest variety of options open
to the student once he/she graduates. For the many students
who have not necessarily decided on a specific post-college
plan, or for those who prefer not to limit their bachelor’s
education, the acquisition of two different degrees can prove
to be a very rewarding experience.
Will there be pressure to drop either degree?
It would not be unusual
for either conservatory or college professors, at one time
or another, to discuss the possibility of dropping one degree.
Any double-degree student will feel spread thin at some point,
and balancing academic classes with practice time and rehearsals
is a challenging, but certainly possible, task.
Is it possible to finish in less than five years?
It is difficult to finish the Double-Degree program in less
than five years, but every year there are some who will complete
both degrees in four and a half years or sometimes even four.
If a student chooses to spread the program over five years,
even with no incoming AP or transfer credits, it is likely
that both degrees can be finished with ample time to take
additional classes of interest to the student, but not required
for either major. Although putting together a five-year plan
may seem daunting, it is often the case that without the pressure
of an early graduation (less than five years), the requirements
will fit into five years easily.
Does being Double-Degree mean that you are not going to
be a professional musician?
The most direct answer to this question is that our graduates
go on to careers that run the gamut from professional musicians
to business professionals. The advantage is that they are
well prepared for whatever profession they choose.
Do double-degree students have less of a commitment to
music than Conservatory students?
Of course not. If you think about the amount of time per semester
that can be devoted to practice, double-degree students may
have less than their Conservatory counterparts. On the other
hand, over the five-year period, double-degree students must
meet the same graduation requirements that Conservatory students
do, so in that sense, the only real difference is in how quickly
the degree is obtained.
These are some of the issues that you will have to think through
as you go through the Double-Degree program. People differ,
and not all will come up with the same conclusions except
for one: Double-degree students are different from either
Conservatory or College students, and those differences must
be taken into account in order for you to maximize your success
here.
Degree
Requirements
(This is the “nuts and bolts” section of this
handbook!)
The requirements for the double-degree are stated in the Course
Catalog section titled, "The Double-Degree Program."
Double-degree students should carefully read the entire
Double-Degree section in the Course Catalog. All references
to the Course Catalog refer to the most current Catalog.
Each requirement is explained in more detail below.
• 152 minimum total hours–Each double-degree
student must have a minimum of 152 combined Conservatory and
Arts and Sciences hours in order to graduate. On occasion
a student will exceed the minimum due to the combination of
majors.
• 62 Arts and Sciences hours–The best
method to insure that you reach 62 hours is to plot an approximate
schedule of college courses for your degree in your first
semester. You should be aware that several college majors
actually require more than 62 hours when distribution requirements
are added.
• 76 Conservatory hours–The minimum
number of Conservatory hours required for the B.Music is 76
whether or not you are pursuing the single B.Music or the
Double-Degree. Several Conservatory majors have 56 required
Conservatory hours and 20 elective Conservatory hours; others
have nearly 76 Conservatory hours required for the major.
Those Conservatory majors with a high number of required Conservatory
hours are more difficult to do in the Double-Degree program
because of the inflexibility of scheduling courses. Do not
despair! With early planning even the tough combinations are
possible.
• 5 semesters in residence–Students
must be enrolled at Oberlin or in Oberlin College programs
for a minimum of five semesters.
• 3 Winter Terms–This requirement
is the same for both double-degree and single degree students.
• Completion of a major in each degree program–Double-degree
students must fulfill all the requirements for their declared
majors in both divisions. In calculating completion of graduation
requirements the Registrar uses the following rules from the
Course Catalog:
• Conservatory students (including double-degree
students) must complete the requirements for their Conservatory
major which were in effect upon entering Oberlin. Should
the requirements for a major change while a student is enrolled,
the student may elect to follow the requirements in effect
when entering Oberlin or those in effect in any subsequent
year. However, the student must elect to follow the complete
set of requirements in effect in one of those years.
• Double-degree students must declare their Arts
and Sciences major before the end of the fifth semester. The
requirements that apply are those published in the Course
Catalog in effect in the student's fifth semester. These requirements
may be altered as necessary in individual cases by the departments
or programs.
• 30 Arts and Sciences hours by the end of the
fifth semester–This rule is described in item one
under the heading "Recommended Course Distribution"
in the Course Catalog. The 30-hour rule is designed to ensure
appropriate progress toward both degrees. Students (and
their advisors) should make every effort to see that 12 A&S
hours are completed by the end of the first year and 25 A&S
hours by the end of the second year, and 30 A&S hours
at the end of their fifth semester. This rule may mean
that double-degree students will have to postpone some classes
considered "typical" or "core" first-year
music courses until later in their curriculum. It is important
to keep in mind that double-degree students have FIVE years
to complete their degree programs so there is some flexibility
in scheduling. Double-degree students who enter with Advanced
Placement (AP) credit are at a great advantage in scheduling
flexibility.
• 9-9-9 distribution requirements in Arts and
Sciences–Double-degree students are required to
complete at least nine credit hours in courses in each of
the three divisions of the College. (The three divisions are
Arts and Humanities, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and
Social and Behavioral Sciences.) These credits must be from
at least two departments or programs within each division.
Double-degree students may count Music History courses above
MHST 101, upper-division Music Theory courses (refer to list
in the back of the Course Catalog) and Historical Performance
courses toward the Arts and Humanities portion of this requirement.
However, these Conservatory courses do not count toward the
62-hour A&S requirement. Double-degree students are not
required to do the 84-hour rule that other college students
must complete (for an explanation of the 84-hour rule see
"Institutional Requirements" in the Course Catalog).
Warning: If you drop the B.Music portion of the Double-Degree
at any point in your Oberlin career, you will be required
to comply with the 84-hour rule.
• 9-hour cultural diversity requirement–Nine
credit hours of courses labeled "cultural diversity"
from at least two departments or programs will be required.
This work will count simultaneously toward other distribution
requirements.
• Writing Proficiency–The guidelines
for completing the Writing Proficiency requirement are outlined
in the Course Catalog sections titled "Rhetoric and Composition."
• Quantitative Proficiency–The guidelines
for completing the Quantitative Proficiency are in the a'Wuantitative
Proficiency" section of the Course Catalog.
.•Minimum
Grade Point Average–In order to graduate a
student must have a GPA of at least 1.67. P and NP grades
do not enter in the GPA calculation.
Advising
Questions
Actual double-degree students submitted these questions.
The students hope to help you avoid some common pitfalls.
Q: HOW MANY HOURS SHOULD I TAKE MY FIRST SEMESTER?
A: Since 152 hours are needed in order to graduate, double-degree
students must average 15.2 hours per semester without AP or
transfer credit. The maximum number of hours a double-degree
student may take is 17; 18 hours may be taken with special
permission from the Associate Dean of the Conservatory for
an additional charge of $1000.00 per credit hour over 17.
First-year students should probably try 15 or 16 hours in
order not to feel completely overwhelmed.
Note: Double-degree students whose schedule reaches 17
hours without registering for a large ensemble may
register for a large ensemble for 0 hours. This will count
to fulfill a semester of the ensemble requirement for most
majors but not count toward the 152 hour requirement for graduation.
Q: WHICH CONSERVATORY CLASSES SHOULD I/MAY I DELAY?
A: (Voice majors should read the answer specifically dealing
with Voice Performance double-degree students below.) This
is a hard question to answer. A typical first year Conservatory
schedule goes something like this:
| Private Study |
4 hours |
| Music Theory |
3 hours |
| Music History 101 |
4 hours |
| Secondary Piano |
2 hours |
| Ensemble |
1 hour |
| Aural Skills |
1 hour |
| Total |
15 hours |
This is NOT a good
schedule for double-degree students since there are no college
courses (remember the 30-hour rule!).
Together with your advisors you should ask the following questions
to help determine which Conservatory classes you might wish
to delay:
• How did you do on your Music Theory Placement Tests
and/or your Aural Skills test?
• How are your piano skills? Would it be possible to
delay or place out of one semester of piano lessons or piano
class?
• Do you have AP credit that will count toward some
of your A&S hours?
Some advisors may encourage you not to delay any of your Conservatory
classes. Make sure that your advisors are aware that you are
pursuing the double-degree program. The College and Conservatory
have mandated expected progress toward the A&S portion
of the Double-Degree. Double-degree students are expected
to have 12 A&S hours by the end of the first year and
25 by the end of the second. You will certainly wish to discuss
this expectation with your conservatory advisor in order to
make satisfactory progress toward your degrees.
VOICE MAJORS:
Voice performance majors will register for 3 hours of Private
Study for the first four semesters. Thus, a first year Double-Degree
Voice Major schedule might look as follows:
| Private Study |
3 |
| Secondary Piano |
2 |
| Aural Skills |
1 |
| Elementary Italian |
5 |
| Theory |
3 |
| English Diction |
2 |
| |
16 |
Q: SHOULD I CONCENTRATE
ONE SEMESTER IN THE COLLEGE AND ONE IN THE CONSERVATORY OR
KEEP THE HOURS EVEN?
A: Your best plan is to consider blending both programs
as you progress toward graduation. There may be some semesters
in which your credit load will be heavier in one division
than in the other. Principal private study in most Conservatory
majors is required for eight of your ten semesters so it is
nearly impossible to have a semester in which you concentrate
all your credits in the A&S division.
Q: WHAT HAPPENS IF I DROP ONE PORTION OF MY DOUBLE DEGREE?
A: This is another tricky question since it depends in part
on when you make the decision to change degree programs. A
general guideline is to make the change as early as possible
since that gives you the most flexibility in charting a new
course. Your first step should be to make an appointment with
the appropriate Dean in the division in which you want to
continue (Ellen Sayles for the College and Marci Alegant for
the Conservatory). These advisors will review your progress
in the division to make sure that you can still complete one
degree in four years.
Q: WHAT ABOUT FINANCIAL AID?
A: If you are officially enrolled in the Double-Degree program
and receive financial aid, you are entitled to ten (10) semesters
of aid (providing you qualify for all semesters). If you change
to a single degree program you will only be eligible for eight
(8) semesters of financial aid (again assuming you qualify
for all eight semesters).
Q: WHERE DO I GO FOR HELP?
A: The Co-Chairs of the Double-Degree Committee are:
Ellen Sayles, Associate Dean of Studies,
Peters 205, x58540
Marci Alegant, Associate Dean in the Conservatory,
Bibbins 123, x58293
Please contact either Dean Sayles or Dean Alegant with any
questions regarding the Double- Degree program. Students may
also wish to contact other double-degree students with questions
about scheduling or requirements. A list of double-degree
students is available in Bibbins 123.
Representative
First-Year Schedules
The following schedules are examples
of first semester double-degree student course schedules for
incoming students. PLEASE NOTE THAT SINCE THESE ARE
ACTUAL SCHEDULES FROM PRIOR YEARS, THERE MAY BE DIFFERENCES
FROM THE CURRENT COURSE CATALOG. Each student, in
consultation with his/her advisors, should design a semester
course schedule that takes into account the following:
-Advanced Placement Credits
-Theory Proficiency
-Music History Background
-Intended A&S Major
-Major Requirements
-Distribution Requirements
There may be other, individual needs that also should be taken
into account. The schedules below should be considered templates
you can use rather than strict guidelines. These samples illustrate
some of the difficulties double-degree students face in scheduling
their courses. None of the samples indicated below are "light"
schedules and, although there may be an occasional "light"
semester, most of your semesters will be similar to the examples
we have put together.
Sample FLUTE and RELIGION Major
| Credit hours |
| 4 |
First-Year Seminar |
| 3 |
Religion 207: Life and Teachings of
Jesus |
| 3 |
Music Theory 132 |
| 1 |
Aural Skills |
| 0 |
Oberlin Orchestra |
| 4 |
Principal Private Flute |
| 2 |
Piano Class |
| 17 |
|
Comments: This student has opted not to take
Music History 101 in the first year and has enrolled in the
Music Theory sequence instead. She has also chosen to take two
A&S courses in order to work toward the recommended 12 A&S
hour guideline for the first year.
Sample
PIANO and MATHEMATICS Major
| Credit hours |
| 4 |
Math 133: Calculus 1 |
| 4 |
First-Year Seminar Program 122 |
| 4 |
Principal Private Piano |
| 3 |
Music Theory 131 |
| 1 |
Aural Skills 1 |
| 1 |
Musical Union |
| 17 |
|
Comments: This is a challenging schedule. This example also
shows a situation in which a student might delay taking Music
History 101.
Sample
VIOLIN and ENGLISH Major
| Credit hours |
| 4 |
First
Year Seminar Program 128:
Media and
Memory |
| 4 |
Music Theory 101 |
| 3 |
Music Theory 132 |
| 1 |
Aural Skills 2 |
| 0 |
Oberlin Orchestra |
| 1 |
Chamber Music |
| 4 |
Principal Private Violin |
| 17 |
|
Comments: The student with this schedule has placed out of Piano
Class and has several Advanced Placement credits, which will
count toward his A&S hours. This is also not an easy schedule!
Double-Degree Committee
Members
Alegant, Marci, Co-chair, ex officio
Sayles, Ellen, Co-chair, ex officio
Henle, Michael
Huff, Steve
McGuire, Charles
Miyake, Jan
Kalyn, Andrea, ex officio
Jones, Nick, ex officio
Double Degree Student - TBA
|
) format. 
