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ZZ - MC Undergraduate Catalog for Print [Not Current Academic Year. Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year]

Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts (KGMCA)

About the College

Office of the Dean

Dean: Andrew Davis, Ph.D., Professor of Music
Associate Dean of Operations: Megan Topham, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Academic and Strategic Initiatives: Fleurette Fernando, M.F.A., Director of M.A. in Arts Leadership Program
 
Bert F. Winston Band Complex, E128

www.uh.edu/kgmca

713-743-3019

The Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts (KGMCA) comprises the performing and visual arts schools at the University of Houston, including the Schools of Art, Music, and Theatre & Dance. The College is also home to the interdepartmental Master of Arts in Arts Leadership program as well as to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts, the Blaffer Art Museum, and the Center for Arts Leadership.

Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts provides training in the classical traditions across the visual and performing arts; cross-disciplinary training through collaborations between the College and other academic units on campus; and professional, social, and entrepreneurial training through collaborations with arts and cultural organizations in the City of Houston-America’s fourth-largest city and one of America’s great arts destination cities for the twenty-first century.

Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts is responsible for numerous cultural, professional, professional-development, and leadership programs every year, among them the Texas Music Festival, the Houston Shakespeare Festival, the Counter-Current Festival, The Contemporary Project, and the Leadership in the Arts Summit, all on top of year-round exhibitions and performances on the University of Houston campus-one of Houston’s most active, dynamic, and innovative arts neighborhoods.

  

Academic Information

KGMCA Policies and Procedures

Admission

All programs in the Katherine G. McGovern College of the Arts require two applications for admission: one to the University of Houston and another to the McGovern College of the Arts. Requirements for admission to the arts programs may include an audition or portfolio submission and can be found at https://uh.edu/kgmca/admissions/. Please note: deadlines for the College application are earlier than deadlines for the University application.

Readmission

Enrolled students who leave an arts program for two consecutive long semesters (Fall/Spring) and who want to return to the College, must reapply by completing a new College application and resubmitting required admissions materials.

For readmission to the University of Houston see policy on Readmission for Former UH Students.

Advising

The goal of the advisors in the KGMCA Academic Affairs Center is to ensure that each student has access to competent academic advising at all stages of the student’s college career.
All incoming freshmen and transfer students are required to go through orientation, where pertinent policies and procedures are introduced and potential problems are discussed.

The college provides an overall view of the college, then undergraduate advisors in each department help students with the initial task of schedule planning and enrollment (registration). Thereafter, advisors are available on an ongoing basis should any questions or problems concerning academic progress occur.

Specific times when academic advising is suggested:

  • upon entering as a freshman or transfer (required)
  • for enrollment  (registration) and add/drop questions
  • to declare or change a major
  • to declare or change a minor
  • to clarify any academic policy or procedure
  • anytime UH term GPA falls below 2.0 to discuss UH resources for success, enrollment limitations and requirements in order to avoid suspension
  • anytime UH cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 (required) to discuss UH resources for success, enrollment limitation and requirements in order to avoid suspension
  • at or before 90 hours and each term thereafter until graduation to verify that all requirements will be met as expected (required)

Declaration of Major

Many entering students have a well-defined career objective and major course of study. These students should declare their majors upon entering the college and should seek academic counsel from their major departments. Students who are admitted to a major in the college must enroll in appropriate courses each term in approved coursework for their declared major requirements.

For further information on degree requirements, please read: General Degree  Information - KGMCA.

Double Majors in the Arts

The Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts will not award double degrees within the same discipline or school, but students may double major within a discipline or school to earn one degree. Music students can double major within the School of Music, but may not earn two Bachelor of Music degrees. KGMCA students may not earn two BFA degrees within the School of Art or within the School of Theater and Dance, but can double major within a discipline to earn one BFA degree.

Declaration of Minor

Students who wish to declare a minor to any of the college’s degree programs must have established at least a 2.00 minimum cumulative UH grade point average and meet the requirements of the individual department. Some minor programs may have additional requirements.

For further information on minor requirements, please read: Minor Requirements - KGMCA.

Change of Major

Students who wish to change their majors to any of the college’s degree programs must have established at least a 2.00 minimum cumulative UH grade point average and meet the requirements of the individual department. Some departments, including Art, Music, Theater, and Dance, have additional requirements, which may include an audition and additional application materials. 

Students with less than a 2.00-grade point average are encouraged to obtain academic advising from the department to which they wish to change; however, they are not eligible to officially change their major until the required grade point average is attained.

Repeated Courses

Students may not count repeated course hours toward their graduation total or towards their 36 required advanced hours unless courses are listed in the catalog as repeatable, are designated as special/ selected topics or are required for their major.

Deadlines

KGMCA strictly adheres to the university calendar, e.g., deadlines for admission and enrollment (registration), and drop dates, and application for graduation, etc. Exceptions are considered only for documented, extenuating, nonacademic circumstances.

Grade Changes

Questions regarding grades in KGMCA courses must be resolved within 90 calendar days following the posting of the grade. Grade changes are approved only for correction of errors in computing the grade, and a grade change form must be submitted no later than the close of the term/summer session following the posting of the grade.

Grades of I (incomplete) must be resolved within one year of the posting of the grade. Incomplete grades must be resolved with the instructor awarding the grade. Incomplete grades cannot be resolved by re-enrolling (re-registering) for the course in question.

 Fulfillment of Grade Requirements for a Degree

To determine the fulfillment of degree requirements, the required grade point average for graduation is calculated as described in the Academic Regulations and Degree Requirements section of this catalog with the following differences:

  • No incomplete grades (grades of ‘I’) can be remaining at the time of graduation.
  • All courses taken in major and minor fields in KGMCA, including repeated and failed courses, will be considered when determining major and minor GPAs.

Applying for Graduation

Degrees are not awarded automatically upon completion of the scholastic requirements. To be a candidate for a degree, students must submit an application for graduation by the stated deadline in the university schedule, for the intended term of graduation. Candidates for graduation who were previously disapproved must reapply Graduation applications are submitted online through myUH.

Successful graduation candidates can anticipate the posting of the degree within 60 days after the official closing date of the term, and the receipt of their diplomas approximately two weeks after the degree is posted.

Undergraduate Course Load

Course loads for undergraduate students are determined by university policy, curriculum of study, and personal factors such as work and family responsibilities. See the Academic Regulations and Degree Requirements section of this catalog for a complete discussion of course loads. In general, for those students who expect to complete the requirements for a bachelor’s degree in about four years, the maximum undergraduate course loads for the Fall and Spring terms are as follows:

Classification (and in Good Academic Standing)*

Term/Session

Maximum Credit Hours
Freshman Fall or Spring 16.0
Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors, Post -Baccalaureates Fall or Spring 19.0
All Summer 1 or Summer 3 12.0
All Summer Session 2 7.0
All Summer Session 4 7.0
All All Sessions Combined 14.0

*An undergraduate or post-baccalaureate student who is on Academic Probation or Academic Warning shall enroll in no more than 5 hours in Summer Session 2 or Summer Session 4, or 10 hours in Summer Session 1 or Summer Session 3.

The totals listed above include all courses for which students may wish to enroll. Permission to take course loads above these maximums must be approved by the faculty advisor (or the chair of the major department) and dean. (See Regulations and Requirements section for details on maximum course loads and overloads for Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions. Students on probation or academic warning must check regulations and requirements for specific class load limitations.)

Academic Grievance Policy

The McGovern College follows the University of Houston policy on Undergraduate Academic Grievances.

Academic Warning

First time in college (FTIC) freshman students who earn less than a 2.00-grade point average in the first long/full term(i.e., Fall or Spring) of enrollment at the University of Houston shall be placed on academic warning. Students on academic warning must be advised by their major department advisor and may also be required to be advised by the Academic Advising Center of Undergraduate Scholars at UH. KGMCA students on academic warning may not enroll for more than 12 credit hours of enrollment in Fall and Spring terms and no more than five hours in Summer Session 2 or Summer Session 4, or 10 hours in Summer Session 1 or Summer Session 3.

Academic Probation

Students are placed on academic probation if their cumulative grade point average falls below 2.00. Freshman and sophomore students on academic probation are required to seek advising in their major departments in order to obtain academic support to improve academic performance and avoid academic suspension. KGMCA students on probation may not enroll for more than 12.0 credit hours of enrollment in Fall and Spring terms and no more than five hours in Summer Session 2 or Summer Session 4, or 10.0 credit hours in Summer Session 1 or Summer Session 3.

Students on academic probation whose cumulative grade point average is below 2.00 but whose term GPA is higher will remain on continued academic probation. Students on academic probation will be removed from that status when their cumulative grade point average is at or above 2.00.

Students on academic probation whose cumulative grade point average is below 2.00 and whose term GPA is below 2.00 will be placed on academic suspension and will be restricted from future enrollment until the terms of their suspension have been met.

Independent Study Courses and Internships

Each KGMCA area provides opportunities for majors and minors to take independent study courses and/or internships. Participation in independent study courses and/or internships requires an approved petition to be on file in the appropriate department. KGMCA students may use no more than 6 credit hours of Independent Study and/or Internship courses to satisfy any major requirements in KGMCA, and no more than 6 credit hours to satisfy any minor requirements in KGMCA.

Manual verification is needed to ensure that no more than 6 credit hours of Independent Study/Internships are used towards either all KGMCA major requirements or all KGMCA minor requirements.

Note: If a student takes nine or more hours of internship/independent study courses, no more than nine hours will be given a letter grade.

Transfer Credit

Questions concerning transfer credit are resolved by the petition process. This process originates in the department of the major, and the petitions are routed to the relevant department and dean’s offices.

Dean’s List

The Dean’s List, a tabulation of the names of all undergraduate honor students, is compiled each term. To qualify for this recognition in KGMCA, students must earn a 3.50 minimum grade point average (the grade of S is not counted) on twelve or more credit hours completed during the term. At least nine of the twelve credit hours must be letter grades. Students who earn a grade of I (except in a senior honors thesis course), D, F, or U during the term are excluded from consideration for the Dean’s List. Students who have filed a Request to Withhold Public Information form with the university will not be listed.

For additional information regarding general degree requirements, please see the General Degree  Information - KGMCA.

Programs Abroad

For information about study abroad programs sponsored both by the University of Houston and other universities, and for scholarship information on study abroad, contact Learning Abroad, 105 Ezekiel Cullen, 713-743-9167.

Accreditation

Programs in the Moores School of Music are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music https://nasm.arts-accredit.org/.

 

   

Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts

School of Art

Who’s Who in the School of Art

Director:

Beth Matusoff Merfish

Director of Graduate Studies:

Keliy Anderson-Staley

Professors:

Keliy Anderson-Staley, Sibylle Hagmann, Ed Hill (Emeritus), Stephan Hillerbrand, Rex Koontz, Rick Lowe, Aaron Parazette, John Reed, Raphael Rubinstein, Gael Stack (Emeritus)

Associate Professors:

Cheryl Beckett, Jillian Conrad, Dana Frankfort, Natilee Harren, Rachel Hecker (Emerita), Beth Matusoff Merfish, Anna Mayer, Abinadi Meza, H. Rodney Nevitt, Jr., Sandra Zalman

Associate Professor, Instructional:

Fleurette Fernando

Assistant Professors:

Minwoo Lee, Leticia Rodriquez, Anthony Suber, Joshua Unikel

Assistant Professor, Instructional:

Francis Giampietro

Professors of Practice:

Chelsea Clarke, Saúl Hernández-Vargas

School Overview

The School of Art offers:

  1. Bachelor of Arts in Art History
  2. Bachelor of Arts in Art
  3. Bachelor of Fine Arts with majors in:
    • Graphic Design
    • Painting
    • Photography/Digital Media
    • Sculpture
  4. Master of Fine Arts with studio concentrations in:
    • Graphic Design
    • Painting
    • Photography/Digital Media
    • Interdisciplinary Practice and Emerging Forms
    • Sculpture
  5. Master of Arts in:
    • Art History
    • Arts Leadership

For information on admission to the graduate program, degree requirements, and course listing, contact the director of graduate studies in the School of Art and refer to the Graduate and Professional Studies catalog.

Admission to the School of Art

Freshman (FTIC) Students

In addition to meeting all requirements for admission to the University of Houston, all students applying for acceptance as majors in the School of Art must submit samples of creative work. Application instructions will be updated each year on the School of Art and Katherine G. McGovern College of the Arts websites. Students who are accepted to the School of Art will not be directly accepted to a specific studio major. Acceptance to a studio major is determined by a portfolio review in a student’s junior year.

Transfer Students

In addition to meeting all requirements for admission to the University of Houston, all transfer students applying for acceptance as majors in the School of Art must submit samples of creative work. All transfer students applying for Admission to the School of Art must have a minimum of six credit hours of completed coursework in ART and/or Art History. Application instructions will be updated each year on the School of Art and Katherine G. McGovern College of the Arts websites.

Transfer students who plan to major in art or who are interested in taking a studio art course should, upon learning of their admission to the University of Houston, confer with the department.

Transfer students who are accepted to the School of Art will not be directly accepted to a specific studio major. Acceptance to a studio major is determined by a portfolio review in the student’s junior year.

Course Enrollment for Non-Majors

Although priority is given to art majors, students majoring in other departments at the university may enroll in any 1000-level studio course offered by the department, depending upon availability. Upon completion of four 1000-level studio courses students may enroll in 3000-level related arts studio courses for which they have completed the fundamentals courses. Art history courses at the 1000-level are open to all students who have completed ENGL 1301.

Degrees

The School of Art offers the Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History, the Bachelor of Arts in Art, and the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design, Painting, Photography/Digital Media, and Sculpture. In addition to the requirements for these specific majors, students should also refer to the sections on the college and the university-wide degree requirements.

Moores School of Music

Who’s Who in the Moores School of Music

Director:

Brian Kai Chin

Managing Director, Programs and Strategy:

Jeremy Johnson

Associate Director for Faculty Success:

Cynthia Clayton

Associate Director of Recruitment:

Blake Wilkins

Director of Graduate Studies:

Marcus Maroney

Director of Undergraduate Studies:

Cory Meals

Degrees

The Moores School of Music offers Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees. In addition, it is possible to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in music through the College of the Arts. Information on graduate degrees is available in the Graduate and Professional Studies catalog.

Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts degree in music is offered to students wishing to pursue a program that places great emphasis on the liberal arts, but with a strong concentration in the field of music. In addition to the college requirements for the Bachelor of Arts, a minimum of 50 semester hours in music is required.

Bachelor of Music

Two baccalaureate music degrees are offered: Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music in Applied Music. The Bachelor of Music degree offers majors in Composition, Music Theory, and with Elective Studies in Teacher Certification (instrumental or choral), Marketing, Nonprofit Leadership, and Religion. The Bachelor of Music in Applied Music offers performance concentrations in Piano, Organ, Voice, Winds, Brass, Strings, or Percussion.

Course Requirements for a Bachelor of Music Degree:

In addition to all university and college requirements, students must complete all requirements for each B.M. degree as outlined below. Note that requirements for the various concentrations for the Bachelor of Music in Performance degree appear separately, as do the different areas of elective studies.

Bachelor of Music in Performance with concentrations in:

  • Piano Performance, Piano Performance with Pedagogy Emphasis, Organ Performance
  • Instrumental Performance
  • Vocal Performance

Bachelor of Music:

  • Composition Major 
  • Music Theory Major 
  • Music Education (Instrumental or Choral)  
  • Elective Studies in Marketing 
  • Elective Studies in Nonprofit Leadership 

Admission to Specific Areas of Specializations in Music

A successful audition will allow a student to enroll as a Bachelor of Music candidate and declare an intended major. Students declaring an intention to major in Performance, Music Education, or Composition must pass a formal barrier process at the end of the second year of study to continue in these majors. Students who fail their barrier evaluation may graduate in a different music major (within BM or BA) or choose a major outside of Music. Specific information about the barrier examinations is available in the Moores School of Music Student Handbook.

Although the barrier examinations do not take place until the end of the sophomore year, students should indicate their interest to appropriate faculty members and the academic advisor as early as possible for effective advising.

Ensemble Participation

Students enrolled in applied music instruction must participate in the large ensemble appropriate for the instrument or voice. The ensemble directors determine ensemble placement via audition results. These policies remain in force even after degree requirements have been met.

Accreditation

The Moores School of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music and a member of the Texas Association of Music Schools.

Admission to the Moores School of Music

New Students

In addition to meeting all requirements for admission to the University of Houston, all students applying for acceptance as majors in the Moores School of Music must pass an audition on their principal instrument or voice and be able to meet at least a freshman level of performance. In addition, they must take an examination for placement in music theory, aural skills, and piano.

Transfer Students

In addition to meeting all requirements for admission to the University of Houston, all transfer students applying for acceptance as majors in the Moores School of Music must pass an audition on their principal instrument or voice. Music majors transferring from other institutions must have a 2.50 minimum grade point average in all music courses attempted. Courses within the Texas “Field of Study Curriculum for Music” will transfer if minimum grade point and proficiency requirements are met. As required of Moores School of Music’s native students, transfer students must take and pass applicable prerequisite proficiency exams before enrolling in designated theory and aural skills courses.

Transfer students in composition must have a 3.25 GPA in all previous music theory, aural skills and composition course work in order to be accepted into the composition program. Transfer students in music theory must have a 3.0 GPA in all freshman and sophomore level theory and aural skills courses to be fully admitted to the music theory program in the junior year and a GPA of 3.25 in all theory courses to graduate.

For more information, please visit http://www.uh.edu/kgmca/music.

Post Baccalaureate Students

Post-baccalaureate applicants for teacher certification in music must first meet requirements of the College of Education, apply to the Moores School of Music through Acceptd and provide the following materials: (a) unofficial transcripts, (b) statement of intent, (c) two references, and (d) a 15-minute video of a solo performance on a primary instrument or of classroom music teaching. Applicants must also complete an interview with a music education faculty member. Additional information is available on the Moores School of Music website.

Recital Attendance

Programs covering a wide range of literature and varied media of performance are presented each term by faculty and by students. All music majors must attend a total of 96 recitals prior to graduation. Music education majors will be exempt from recital attendance the term of student teaching. If student teaching is completed in the 8th term of study, music education majors need only accumulate a total of 84 recitals. Students must attend a minimum of four Tuesday recitals each term they are enrolled in nine or more hours until their total recital requirement has been met.

To request preparation of a degree plan or schedule a junior recital, students must have attended 60 recitals. To schedule a senior recital, students must have attended 72 recitals. Graduation paperwork will not be approved until the total requirement has been met. Students should attend 12 recitals each term to meet these requirements. In the rare instance when a non-degree applicable recital is requested and approved, the student must be current on recital attendance before the event can be scheduled. The numbers required are 12 recitals (freshman), 36 recitals (sophomores), and 60 recitals (junior).

Only Moores School of Music sponsored recitals will be counted for credit. Performances in which the student is a participant will not count toward recital attendance. Attendance is documented electronically with the CougarOne card, or by turning in recital programs within two weeks of the performance. Please contact the undergraduate advisor for details.

C- Rule

For all MUSA, MUSI, and MUED courses required for the music major or minor degree, with the exception of ensembles, students must earn a grade of C- or better in order to apply the course toward a Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts in Music, or a minor degree in music. Furthermore, a minimum grade of C- is required for advancement to the subsequent course in all sequential courses.

Theory and Aural Skills Proficiency Examinations

Proficiency exams are prerequisites for several courses in the theory and aural skills sequences. A passing grade on these exams will likewise be at least C-. Furthermore, proficiency examinations are valid only through the next offering of the course for which they are prerequisite; if a student, having qualified for a course for which a proficiency examination is prerequisite, fails to complete that course the next time it is offered, the student must retake and pass the proficiency exam(s) for that course before enrolling in it.

Participation in Music Courses by Nonmajors

A number of music courses can be used by nonmusic majors to fulfill certain core course requirements. In addition, students majoring in other areas may elect to participate in ensembles, typically with consent of the instructor. Instruction in applied music for college credit is not generally available to nonmajors. Anyone interested in noncredit private lessons should contact the Community Arts Academy at 713-743-3398 or visit www.uh.edu/kgmca/music/caa.

School of Theatre & Dance

Who’s Who in the School of Theatre & Dance

Director:

Sharon Ott

Professors:

Lisa D’Amour, Stuart Ostrow, Sharon Ott, Jack Young

Associate Professors:

Rachel R. Bush (Instructional), Teresa Chapman, Vivian Majkowski, Barbara Niederer (Instructional), Adam Noble, Tatiana Vintu, Paige Willson (Instructional)

Assistant Professors:

Dr. Elizabeth Coen, Dr. M. Gabriela Estrada, Jessica Ferrarone (Instructional), Dr. Margo Hickman (Instructional), Key’Aira Lockett, Allison Pistorius, Travis Prokop, Kalliope Vlahos (Instructional), Matthew Webb, Molly Wetzel

Professor of Practice:

Toni Valle

Overview

The School of Theatre & Dance offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree, and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, including:

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre

Areas of Concentration include:

  • Acting
  • Playwriting/Dramaturgy
  • Production
  • Stage Management
  • Theatre Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Dance

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Dance

The Dance Division also offers:

  • Minor in Dance
  • Teaching Certificate in Dance for Secondary Education, Approved Training Program

Advanced Degrees

The University of Houston offers the Master of Arts and the Master of Fine Arts degrees in the School of Theatre & Dance. For information regarding admission to the graduate programs, degree requirements, and course listing, consult with the director of graduate studies in the School of Theatre & Dance and refer to the Graduate and Professional Studies catalog.