Frequently Asked Questions

Are there deadlines for application to the Graduate School or for enrollment in summer courses?


Apply online. You will need to have prepared the following:

  1. Official Transcripts
  2. A resume
  3. A short statement of what you hope to get out of your graduate experience

There are recommended timetables for your application to the Graduate School and course enrollment, and there is a deadline for the execution of online enrollment, using iSIS. Please see the Application & Admission section for detailed information regarding those timelines. If it is your first summer you will need to get an eID before enrolling. Then you can Enroll in Courses.

How long will it take me to complete the master's degree program?

It really depends on how full a load you are willing to carry during each given summer. Theoretically, if you take the full-time load, the master's degree in music education can be completed in three summers, with some off-campus work done during the regular school year. View the details of the course of study and discuss it in the advising meeting with your major advisor (Dr. Frank Tracz).

What level of commitment will be required of me to be successful in the compressed format of these summer course offerings?


There’s no hiding the fact that there is work involved with completing these courses successfully. The number of face-to-face contact hours is actually about the same as if you were to take these courses over the span of an entire semester, but they have been compacted into a much more compressed timeframe. Classes typically meet each day from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with breaks for lunch, etc. There will undoubtedly be material that you are expected to digest each night, as well as on-campus assignments or projects.

Once you have expressed an intent to enroll in one or more courses, you will receive a packet of materials which will include information regarding schedule and room assignment, as well as possible advance preparation that may be expected. This may take the form of listening to recordings and/or reading articles, all posted on our course websites on K-State Online. In addition, certain courses may require that you work on a project after the completion of your on-campus studies, to be submitted to that professor by a pre-designated deadline.

Will extra help be available to me when I need it?

ABSOLUTELY!! Again, our goal is only to facilitate your successful completion of graduate studies in music. To that end, the teaching faculty in the Music Program at Kansas State University is at your service to answer questions on anything from entrance to commencement and everything inbetween. Dr. Frederick Burrack is Director of Summer Graduate Studies in Music, and can help with most of your questions regarding application and admission, as well as inquiries about forms and deadlines.

Who will be my major advisor throughout the degree program?

The advisor for instrumental conducting students accepted into the masters degree program in music education is Dr. Frank Tracz. He will guide you through your degree process and answer most questions regarding course selection, etc. If your focus is choral music, Dr. Julie Yu will guide your course of study.

Is the summer program accredited by NASM?

YES! NASM—the National Association of Schools of Music—is our national accrediting agency, and we are pleased to say that the summer graduate program in music at K-State is in full compliance with the accreditation guidelines set forth by NASM.

What sorts of things can I do to adequately prepare for the summer experience?

Once you’ve enrolled, you should receive advance materials, either in the mail or electronically from your professor(s) that will indicate the course schedule(s), and may also ask that you read and/or listen to specific materials and be prepared to discuss them once their class begins.

Our goal is to make use of the university’s online resources (K-State Online, for example) as much as possible to provide you access to materials while off-campus. Beyond this, you might simply find some articles, reviews, recordings, texts, etc. that pertain to the subjects that you will be studying and do some general “brushing up” on your own. We would encourage you to contact our teaching faculty if you have questions regarding preparation, or would like to inquire about suggested supplemental materials.

How many courses/credits can reasonably be taken in the course of a single summer?

This is very subjective, and the answer is really dependent on your summer schedule, how quickly you aim to finish the masters degree (if that is your goal), and how much material you think you can handle in this condensed format. We would encourage you to get as much information as possible from the faculty that will be teaching these courses and would also recommend that you schedule advising appointments, either in person or over the telephone, with Dr. Tracz to help you make these decisions.

Does the university provide housing for summer students? What is the cost and availability?

There are a variety of housing options for students who will be on campus for a short stay, such as is required of our summer courses. Visiting students have both on-campus and off-campus housing choices. On-campus housing is arranged through the university's Housing and Dining Services, and off-campus housing options include a wide variety of hotels and motels in the Manhattan area. For more detailed information, view Housing and Parking.

What sort of K-State resources are available to me as a student?

Once you are accepted as a student at Kansas State, and have established your individual eID and password (see Application and Admission), you will have all of the rights and privileges afforded to any other K-State student. This includes access to K-State Online, which, as described on their homepage, is a course management system designed to deliver an interactive web-based classroom to students. K-State Online extends and enhances K-State course instruction enabling students with time and geographic restrictions to take advantage of the flexibility of learning over the Internet. You will also have library privileges at Hale Library, which houses a wealth of information and resources for your reference and study, and access to our many online databases, such as the Music Index, New Grove Dictionary of Music & Musicians, and more. On a smaller, and more specific scale, we also have a variety of printed and recorded materials in a music resource room here in the Music Department.

What is Manhattan like during the summer months? Parks, recreation, housing availability, etc.?

Manhattan, Kansas is a town of nearly 52,000 residents and a wonderfully warm and friendly environment. Manhattan has plenty to do and see during your spare time, with many excellent restaurants, plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities, the Sunset Zoo, sightseeing and museums, and ample shopping. With an inspiring view of the prairie, Manhattan is a great place to spend a portion of your summer months. For more comprehensive information and other links of interest, visit manhattan.org.

What is the program of study? When is it generated? What help will I get in its formulation?

To paraphrase directly from our Graduate School web page: Every master's student must file a Program of Study (POS) with the Graduate School. This program is a formal list of courses the student intends to complete to fulfill the requirements of the degree and should consist solely of courses directly related to the master’s degree....students must do so upon the completion of 9 credit hours. A student should prepare the program of study in consultation with the major professor and supervisory committee. The program must be approved by all committee members and the head of the academic unit. It is then submitted for approval to the Dean of the Graduate School. You will have very active guidance in the completion and submission of your POS from Dr. Tracz to make sure you not only understand the process, but also that you complete it in a timely and appropriate manner. Much more comprehensive information regarding the Program of Study can be found online.

What can I expect in the way of final or exit exams? When are they scheduled? Who administers them? What is the format?

The exit exams for the summer program is an exit interview.