General Information

Academic Regulations

Grading system The letter grades and the quality points for each term hour are as follows:

A+ = 4.0 B+ = 3.3 C+ = 2.3 F = 0.0
A = 4.0 B = 3.0 C = 2.0  
A– = 3.7 B– = 2.7 C– = 1.7  
  • All School of Music classes receive letter grades, with the exception of secondary instruction (MUS 541, 641, 741), which is graded as Pass/Fail (P/F), and MUS 999, which is graded as Credit/No Credit.
  • School of Music students may exercise the Pass/Fail option, in lieu of a letter grade, in any non-music course; the School of Music registrar will convert letter grades from other faculties to Pass or Fail, in accordance with the School of Music grading system. In computing grade points, such courses will be neutral (that is, they will not affect the grade point average).
  • School of Music courses (with the exception of secondary instruction and MUS 999), Department of Music courses, and courses cross-listed with any department and the School or Department of Music are not eligible for the Pass/Fail option.
  • Audited courses will not appear on the student’s official transcript.
  • A grade submitted by the instructor of a course to the registrar may not be changed except with permission from the deputy dean following a petition in writing from the instructor, unless the grade is the result of a clerical error.
  • Any grade of A+ must be accompanied by a letter from the faculty instructor explaining why this extraordinary grade has been awarded.

Full-time status and credit requirements All School of Music students must enroll in enough credits each semester to maintain status as a full-time student. Students who fall below the minimum credit requirement in any semester may be placed on academic warning or may become ineligible for certain types of financial aid or loans. The credit requirements for each course of study are summarized below:

Degree candidates Recommended credits per semester Minimum credits per semester for full-time status Average credit pace to maintain SAP Number of semesters Total credits to graduate
M.M. candidates 18 16 18 4 72
M.M.A. internal candidates (admitted to the M.M.A. program in the last term of their Yale M.M. program) 16 14 16 2 32
M.M.A. external candidates (do not hold a Yale M.M.) 16 14 16 4 64
D.M.A. candidates (in residence) 18 16 18 4 72
A.D. internal candidates (already hold a Yale M.M.) 14 14 14 2 28
A.D. external candidates (do not hold a Yale M.M.) 14 14 14 4 56
Certificate candidates 16 14 16 6 96

Satisfactory Academic Progress School of Music students are expected to present work of high quality both in performance and in academic studies. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) refers to students’ success in meeting minimum standards deemed acceptable for their programs of study. All degree-seeking students are required to meet the SAP standards of the School of Music. The School of Music evaluates SAP at the end of each term, and students who are not meeting one or more of the requirements below will be placed on academic warning for the subsequent term.

  • All degree and diploma programs in the School of Music require that students earn a grade of B or better in both Individual Instruction in the Major and Seminar in the Major. Students who receive a grade lower than B in either course will be placed on academic warning for the subsequent term.
  • Students whose grade point average (GPA) falls below B (3.0) in any term will be placed on academic warning for the subsequent term.
  • Students must satisfy a pace of completion of an average of 18 credits per term in the M.M. and D.M.A. programs, 16 credits per term in the M.M.A. and Certificate programs, and 14 credits per term in the A.D. program. Students who have not accumulated the appropriate number of academic credits required at that stage of their program will be placed on academic warning for the subsequent term.

The duration of an academic warning is one term only; by the end of that term, a student on academic warning must have fulfilled all of the requirements below. Failure to achieve these requirements may result in dismissal from the School. The student must have:

  • earned a grade of B or better in both Individual Instruction in the Major and Seminar in the Major,
  • obtained a GPA of 3.0 for that term,
  • and satisfied the pace of completion requirement by accumulating the appropriate number of academic credits required at that stage of their program.

External M.M.A. candidates must complete two degree recitals: one in each year of study. If the first recital has not been completed by the end of the second term, the student may be placed on academic warning. Failure to complete the first recital by the end of the third term may result in dismissal from the School.

Satisfactory Academic Progress also governs eligibility for institutional and financial aid. For more information about SAP-related financial aid eligibility, see the Financial Aid section below.

Course credit Any course taken in another division of the University is eligible for credit toward a School of Music degree. Four credits per term is the maximum allowed for any course, including intensive courses in language or science.

Course changes

  • Requests for course changes during the add/drop period must be submitted on the appropriate form to the Office of Student Services. No courses may be added after this period.
  • A grade symbol of “W” (withdrawn) will appear on transcripts to indicate any courses dropped after the add/drop period. Students withdrawing from a class during this time will be assessed a fee of $50 per course. To withdraw from a class, students must submit the appropriate form to the Office of Student Services. No one may withdraw from a class after 12 p.m., December 8, 2023, in the fall term and after 12 p.m., April 25, 2024, in the spring term.
  • Students who have not attended a class since the add/drop period and have neglected to remove the course from their schedule will be permitted to withdraw from the class; an additional $50 fee will be assessed.
  • School of Music students are permitted to withdraw from electives.
  • School of Music students are allowed to withdraw from non-performance courses which are not required for their program of study (see Program Requirements); however, they are not permitted to withdraw from any required courses, including required music history courses (MUS 511, MUS 512, MUS 513) and required analysis and musicianship courses (MUS 500, MUS 501, MUS 502). If a student does not pass a required course, they must retake it.
  • Students do not receive credit for any course from which they have withdrawn. If a student withdraws from a course prior to the last deadline for the term, the dropped units are not included as attempted units in the SAP calculation. If a student withdraws from a course after the last deadline for the term, the units for the course will be included as attempted units in the SAP calculation. Withdrawn courses are not included in the GPA calculation.

Academic affairs The deputy dean’s office deals with individual study projects, leave requests, special petitions, and matters of academic standing. Forms for leaves, independent studies, and withdrawals from the School may be downloaded from the School of Music’s ArtsVision website. These forms and other special requests must be submitted in writing to the deputy dean’s office.

Completion deadlines

  • All course work for the fall term must be completed by December 15, 2023; course work for the spring term must be completed by May 3, 2024. Students who expect that work in a course will not be finished by the final day of classes must petition the instructor and the registrar prior to the end of term for permission to receive Incomplete status. A grade of F will be registered for courses remaining incomplete six weeks after the last day of classes.
  • All secondary lessons must be completed and reported one week before the end of each term. A grade of F will be given to students whose work is incomplete by these deadlines. A fine of $200 per incident will be assessed should adjustments be made outside the permitted add/drop periods.
  • If for any reason a candidate is unable to complete requirements for the M.M.A., M.M., Certificate of Performance, or A.D. degree within the specified time of the respective program, the candidate may petition the deputy dean for a maximum one-year extension to complete the requirements. All requirements must be completed within 365 days from the last day of class of the candidate’s final term of residence.

Academic affairs The deputy dean’s office deals with individual study projects, leave requests, special petitions, and matters of academic standing. Forms for leaves, independent studies, and withdrawals from the School may be downloaded from the School of Music’s ArtsVision website. These forms and other special requests must be submitted in writing to the deputy dean’s office.

Credit from Other Institutions

Students enrolled at the School of Music who wish to take a course outside of Yale and apply credit received for this study toward the Yale degree must comply with the following procedures:

  1. Students must apply to the deputy dean for credit while they are registered at Yale and prior to registering for a course.
  2. A course outside Yale must be endorsed by the department coordinator as an essential or advantageous component of study in the major.
  3. For study pursued away from Yale, students must demonstrate that the course is not given at Yale.
  4. A transcript must be sent to the registrar of the School of Music showing a minimum grade of B.
  5. Applications for credit for summer study must be submitted to the deputy dean before the end of the spring term.
  6. Any registered Yale School of Music student who attends the six-week summer session at Norfolk is eligible to receive two credits toward graduation. These credits will be added to the transcript if requested.

Registration

Deposit

Upon notification of acceptance to the Yale School of Music, a $500 nonrefundable intent to register deposit must be sent in order to reserve a place in the entering class. For those who do enroll, the deposit will be credited to the student’s account with the Office of Student Financial Services but will not be refunded should the candidate fail to matriculate.

School of Music Registration

Arrival deadlines

  • Orientation will take place September 5, 2023. Attendance is mandatory.
  • Students must be present for the beginning of the spring term on January 16, 2024.
  • Students who miss these deadlines will be charged a $500 late fee unless permission has been obtained in advance from the deputy dean.

Course registration

  • Online course registration for all students at the School of Music will begin on August 24, 2023. The deadline for registering online for fall-term courses is 4 p.m. on Friday, September 8, 2023.
  • The deadline for registering online for spring-term courses is 12 p.m. on Thursday, December 7, 2023.
  • Students who register after these deadlines without written permission from the deputy dean will be assessed a late fee of $50 per day until the form is submitted.
  • There is a two-week add/drop period for course changes in the fall term and a two-week add/drop period in the spring term.

Secondary lessons

  • Students who drop secondary instruction during the add/drop period, or who drop during the withdrawal period and have had no lessons, may receive a full rebate of the registration fee.
  • Students who drop secondary instruction during the withdrawal period and have had lessons will receive no rebate of the registration fee.
  • If a student cannot register for lessons for credit, the lessons are noncredit and the student will be charged for them.
  • Students of the Yale Divinity School, David Geffen School of Drama, and School of Art may also register for secondary lessons (MUS 541, MUS 641, MUS 741) and will be charged $200 per term for their secondary lessons.
  • Questions may be sent to the director, Kyung Yu, by email (kyung.yu@yale.edu).

Financial Aid

Scholarships and Fellowships

A full tuition scholarship of $38,000 will be made to all students who are admitted to the Yale School of Music (including students at the Institute of Sacred Music) with the exception of those receiving awards from other agencies. Tuition covers all instruction. It does not cover the Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Coverage fee, which may be waived if a student demonstrates proof of alternate coverage.

Living expenses (excluding tuition) for students, whether single or married, are estimated to be $25,722 for 2023–2024. To assist with these expenses, the School of Music provides the following living fellowships for students:

  • M.M., M.M.A., and Certificate students: $9,000 per year;
  • D.M.A. students (during the two-year residency period only): $14,000 per year;
  • A.D. students: $14,000 per year.
  • Nonresident D.M.A. students will receive a special $500 fellowship to cover their $500 tuition fees.

Students enrolled in a School of Music degree program through the Institute of Sacred Music should consult the ISM’s bulletin, online at https://bulletin.yale.edu, regarding aid for living expenses and financial aid.

Music degree students may not receive more than four years (eight terms total, consecutive or not) of scholarship and fellowship awards. Please note that fellowship awards also do not cover the Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Coverage fee. The School of Music does not provide funds to cover health care expenses for students’ families. For information on the coverage and options provided by Yale Health, please see Health Services in the chapter Yale University Resources and Services.

All University and federal funds are limited to expenses that individual students incur for their educational program. These funds are not intended to supplement the expenses of other family members. The budget figures noted above for living expenses are estimates and are meant to be used as a guide. Loans will be offered to cover childcare-related expenses for U.S. students, if documentation is provided. International students are not eligible to receive loans.

The following steps serve as a guide to obtaining loan funds should they be needed for living expenses and fees. Please do not hesitate to contact the financial aid office with any questions.

Financial Aid for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

Financial aid for Yale School of Music students is handled by the YSM Office of Student Services. To apply for a federal student loan, students must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Students may complete the FAFSA online at https://fafsa.ed.gov using Yale’s school code 001426 to send the results electronically. Please do not forward paper copies of FAFSA results (SAR) to the University or to the YSM Office of Student Services; the Department of Education forwards all information from the report.

After receiving this information, the Office of Student Services is able to determine how much a student is eligible to borrow and how to proceed. Students are encouraged to discuss individual questions on financial aid with the Office of Student Services at 203.432.1962.

Financial Aid for International Students

A federal tax may be assessed based on 14 percent of the fellowship accepted in excess of tuition. The federal tax will be charged to the student account, and the student will be responsible for payment in full of the student account balance.

Students coming from countries that have currency restrictions should make necessary arrangements before arriving so that they will have access to funds to be used for living expenses. Also, before an I-20 will be issued, students must give appropriate evidence of support. If you are being supported by a foreign government or agency, you must have a signed statement attesting to the level and time period of your support. There are no loans available for international students.

Tuition Rebate and Refund Policy

Based on Federal regulations governing the return of Federal Student Aid (Title IV) funds for withdrawn students, the rebate and refund of tuition is subject to the following policy:

  1. For purposes of determining the refund of Title IV funds, any student who withdraws from the School of Music for any reason during the first 60 percent of the term will be subject to a pro rata schedule which will be used to determine the amount of Title IV funds a student has earned at the time of withdrawal. A student who withdraws after the 60 percent point has earned 100 percent of their Title IV funds. In 2022–2023, the last days for refunding Title IV funds will be November 4, 2022, in the fall term and April 2, 2023, in the spring term.
  2. For purposes of determining the refund of institutional aid funds and for students who have not received financial aid:
    1. 100 percent of tuition will be rebated for withdrawals that occur on or before the end of the first 10 percent of the term, September 15, 2022, in the fall term and January 26, 2023, in the spring term.
    2. A rebate of one-half (50 percent) of tuition will be granted for withdrawals that occur after the first 10 percent but on or before the last day of the first quarter of the term, October 2, 2022, in the fall term and February 10, 2023, in the spring term.
    3. A rebate of one-quarter (25 percent) of tuition will be granted for withdrawals which occur after the first quarter of a term but on or before the day of midterm, October 26, 2022, in the fall term and March 7, 2023, in the spring term.
    4. Students who withdraw for any reason after Midterm will not receive a rebate of any portion of tuition.
  3. The death of a student shall cancel charges for tuition as of the date of death and the Bursar will adjust the tuition on a pro rata basis.
  4. If the student has received student loans or other forms of financial aid, funds will be returned in the order prescribed by Federal regulations; namely, first to Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans, if any; then to Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans; next to any other Federal, State, private or institutional scholarships and loans; and finally, any remaining balance to the student.
  5. Recipients of Federal and/or institutional loans who withdraw are required to have an Exit Interview before leaving Yale. Students leaving Yale receive instructions on completing this requirement from Yale Student Financial Services.

Veterans Administration Benefits

A student seeking general information about Veterans Administration benefits should consult the Office of Student Services at the Yale School of Music. See also the section U.S. Military Leave Readmissions Policy.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

Federal regulations require Yale to establish Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policies to govern students’ eligibility for federal financial aid. SAP refers to students’ success in meeting minimum standards deemed acceptable for their programs of study. All degree-seeking students, regardless of financial aid status, are required to meet the SAP standards of the School of Music. Failure to maintain SAP jeopardizes a student’s ability to receive federal financial assistance and institutional financial aid (collectively referred to as “financial aid”).

Students must achieve the following SAP standards at the end of each term to remain eligible for financial aid:

  • Satisfy a pace of completion of an average of 18 credits per term in the M.M. and D.M.A. programs, 16 credits per term in the M.M.A. and Certificate programs, and 14 credits per term in the A.D. program (or 77 percent, where pace is calculated by dividing cumulative credits completed by cumulative credits attempted); and
  • Achieve a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0.

The Yale School of Music evaluates SAP at the end of each term. If, at the end of a term, a student’s GPA is below 3.0 or the student is not meeting the average credit per term pace (or 77 percent, where pace is calculated by dividing cumulative credits completed by cumulative credits attempted), the student will be placed on academic warning status for the following term. The registrar or deputy dean will provide the financial aid office with a list of students who are failing to meet SAP, and the financial aid office will notify such students that they will be placed (simultaneously) on Academic Warning and Financial Aid Warning for the next term. A student on Financial Aid Warning may continue to receive financial aid for that term, despite the determination that the student is not making SAP.

After one term on Financial Aid Warning, a student can regain eligibility for financial aid by meeting SAP (both achieving a GPA of 3.0 and meeting the average credit per term requirement or the 77 percent pace calculation).

A student who is still failing to meet SAP after one term on academic warning and Financial Aid Warning may continue to receive financial assistance for the next term only if the student is placed on Financial Aid Probation. In order to be placed on Financial Aid Probation, the student must appeal the determination that the student is not making SAP. A student may appeal that determination by submitting a written petition identifying the basis of the appeal (e.g., death of a relative, an injury or illness of the student, or other special circumstances), and the changed circumstances that will allow the student to meet SAP at the end of the next term. The deputy dean will review the appeal and notify the student of the decision that either (1) the student should be able to meet SAP by the end of the next payment period, or (2) the deputy dean will meet with the student to create an Academic Plan for return to good academic standing. Once a student is on Financial Aid Probation, the student must follow the Academic Plan and meet its benchmarks on time, or meet SAP by the end of the term, in order to regain eligibility for financial aid. SAP also governs the academic warning process. For more information about SAP-related academic warnings, see the Grades section above.

Withdrawn courses If a student withdraws from a course prior to the last deadline for the term, the dropped units are not included as attempted units in the SAP calculation. If a student withdraws from a course after the last deadline for the term, the units for the course will be included as attempted units in the SAP calculation. Withdrawn courses are not included in the GPA calculation.

Incomplete courses Because incomplete course work does not receive a grade, it is not included in GPA. Incomplete work must be completed within six weeks from the last day of classes or a grade of F will be recorded. Incomplete units are included as attempted, but not completed, units in the pace calculation.

Transfer units Credit hours accepted from another institution count as both attempted and completed hours. Transfer courses are not included in the GPA calculation

Repeated courses Repeated courses count as one course in the pace calculation. All grades from repeated courses are included in the GPA calculation.

Student Accounts and Billing

Student accounts, billing, and related services are administered through the Office of Student Accounts, located at 246 Church Street. The office’s website is https://student-accounts.yale.edu.

The Student Account is a record of all the direct charges for a student’s Yale education such as tuition, room, board, fees, and other academically related items assessed by offices throughout the University. It is also a record of all payments, financial aid, and other credits applied toward these charges.

Students and student-designated proxies can view all activity posted to their Student Account in real time through the University’s online billing and payment system, YalePay (https://student-accounts.yale.edu/yalepay). At the beginning of each month, email reminders to log in to YalePay to review the Student Account activity are sent to all students at their official Yale email address and to all student-designated YalePay proxies. Payment is due by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the last day of the month.

Yale does not mail paper bills or generate monthly statements. Students and their authorized proxies can generate their own account statements in YalePay in pdf form to print or save. The statements can be generated by term or for a date range and can be submitted to employers, 401K plans, 529/College Savings Plans, scholarship agencies, or other organizations for documentation of the charges.

Students can grant others proxy access to YalePay to view student account activity, set up payment plans, and make online payments. For more information, see Proxy Access and Authorization (https://student-accounts.yale.edu/understanding-your-bill/your-student-account).

The Office of Student Accounts will impose late fees of $125 per month (up to a total of $375 per term) if any part of the term bill, less Yale-administered loans and scholarships that have been applied for on a timely basis, is not paid when due. Students who have not paid their student account term charges by the due date will also be placed on Financial Hold. The hold will remain until the term charges have been paid in full. While on Financial Hold, the University will not fulfill requests for transcripts or provide diplomas and reserves the right to withhold registration or withdraw the student for financial reasons.

Payment Options

There are a variety of options offered for making payments toward a student’s Student Account. Please note:

  • All bills must be paid in U.S. currency.
  • Yale does not accept credit or debit cards for Student Account payments.
  • Payments made to a Student Account in excess of the balance due (net of pending financial aid credits) are not allowed on the Student Account. Yale reserves the right to return any overpayments.

Online Payments through YalePay

Yale’s recommended method of payment is online through YalePay (https://student-accounts.yale.edu/yalepay). Online payments are easy and convenient and can be made by anyone with a U.S. checking or savings account. There is no charge to use this service. Bank information is password-protected and secure, and there is a printable confirmation receipt. Payments are immediately posted to the Student Account, which allows students to make payments at any time up to 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date of the bill, from any location, and avoid late fees.

For those who choose to pay by check, a remittance advice and mailing instructions are available on YalePay. Checks should be made payable to Yale University, in U.S. dollars, and drawn on a U.S. bank. To avoid late fees, please allow for adequate mailing time to ensure that payment is received by 4 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date.

Cash and check payments are also accepted at the Office of Student Accounts, located at 246 Church Street and open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Yale University partners with Flywire, a leading provider of international payment solutions, to provide a fast and secure way to make international payments to a Student Account within YalePay. Students and authorized proxies can initiate international payments from the Make Payment tab in YalePay by selecting “International Payment via Flywire” as the payment method, and then selecting the country from which payment will be made to see available payment methods. International payment via Flywire allows students and authorized proxies to save on bank fees and exchange rates, track the payment online from start to finish, and have access to 24/7 multilingual customer support. For more information on making international payments via Flywire, see International Payments Made Easy at https://student-accounts.yale.edu/yalepay.

A processing charge of $25 will be assessed for payments rejected for any reason by the bank on which they were drawn. In addition, for every returned ACH payment due to insufficient funds made through YalePay, Flywire will charge a penalty fee of $30 per occurrence. Furthermore, the following penalties may apply if a payment is rejected:

  1. If the payment was for a term bill, late fees of $125 per month will be charged for the period the bill was unpaid, as noted above.
  2. If the payment was for a term bill to permit registration, the student’s registration may be revoked.
  3. If the payment was given to settle an unpaid balance in order to receive a diploma, the University may refer the account to an attorney for collection.

Yale Payment Plan

A Yale Payment Plan provides parents and students with the option to pay education expenses monthly. It is designed to relieve the pressure of lump-sum payments by allowing families to spread payments over a period of months without incurring any interest charges. Participation is optional and elected on a term basis. The cost to sign up is $50 per term.

Depending on the date of enrollment, students may be eligible for up to five installments for the fall and spring terms. Payment Plan installments will be automatically deducted on the 5th of each month from the bank account specified when enrolling in the plan. For enrollment deadlines and additional details concerning the Yale Payment Plan, see https://student-accounts.yale.edu/ypp.

Bill Payment and Pending Military Benefits

Yale will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other facilities, or the requirement that a student borrow additional funds, on any student because of the student’s inability to meet their financial obligations to the institution, when the delay is due to the delayed disbursement of funding from VA under chapter 31 or 33.

Yale will permit a student to attend or participate in their course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the student provides to Yale a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance under chapter 31 or 33 and ending on the earlier of the following dates: (1) the date on which payment from VA is made to Yale; (2) ninety days after the date Yale certifies tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility.

Interruption or Temporary Suspension of University Services or Programs

Certain events that are beyond the University’s control may cause or require the interruption or temporary suspension of some or all services and programs customarily furnished by the University. These events include, but are not limited to, epidemics or other public health emergencies; storms, floods, earthquakes, or other natural disasters; war, terrorism, rioting, or other acts of violence; loss of power, water, or other utility services; and strikes, work stoppages, or job actions. In the face of such events, the University may, at its sole discretion, provide substitute services and programs, suspend services and programs, or issue appropriate refunds. Such decisions shall be made at the sole discretion of the University.

Absence from Classes

Students are expected to attend classes, rehearsals, and all scheduled academic events. However, the nature of the music profession makes it possible that extraordinary opportunities may arise in conflict with scheduled classes. Students who wish to petition to be absent from class must complete the short-term absence request form available on the School of Music’s ArtsVision website. Students should submit this form as soon as they are aware of the conflict, but no fewer than thirty days before the beginning of the proposed absence. When all required signatures have been obtained, the form is to be submitted to the office of the deputy dean. Upon approval by the deputy dean, students will be notified of the decision. Students will be denied approval for absences that exceed a total of ten days per year. It is possible that instructors may not extend permission for students to miss class, and may not sign the required form(s). In that case, students may petition directly to the dean or deputy dean for a review of the situation.

Leaves of Absence

Students are expected to follow a continuous course of study at the School of Music. However, a student who wishes or needs to interrupt study temporarily may request a leave of absence. There are three types of leave—personal, medical, and parental—all of which are described below. The general policies that apply to all types of leave are:

  1. Any student who is contemplating a leave of absence should see the deputy dean to discuss the necessary application procedures.
  2. All leaves of absence must be approved by the deputy dean. Medical leaves also require the written recommendation of a Yale Health physician, as described below.
  3. A student may be granted a leave of absence of no more than one year. Any leave approved by the deputy dean will be for a specified period.
  4. International students who apply for a leave of absence must consult with OISS regarding their visa status.
  5. A student on leave of absence may complete outstanding work in any course for which the student has been granted extensions. The student may not, however, fulfill any other degree requirements during the time on leave.
  6. A student on leave of absence is not eligible for financial aid, including loans; and in most cases, student loans are not deferred during periods of non-enrollment.
  7. A student on leave of absence is not eligible for the use of any University facilities normally available to enrolled students.
  8. A student on leave of absence may continue to be enrolled in Yale Health by purchasing coverage through the Student Affiliate Coverage plan. In order to secure continuous coverage from Yale Health, enrollment in this plan must be requested prior to the beginning of the term in which the student will be on leave or, if the leave commences during the term, within thirty days of the date the registrar was informed of the leave. Coverage is not automatic; enrollment forms are available from the Member Services department of Yale Health, 203.432.0246.
  9. A student on leave of absence must notify the registrar in writing of the intention to return at least eight weeks prior to the end of the approved leave. In addition, a returning student who wishes to be considered for financial aid must submit appropriate financial aid applications to the School’s financial aid office to determine eligibility.
  10. A student on leave who does not return at the end of the approved leave and does not request and receive an extension from the deputy dean is automatically dismissed from the School.

Personal Leave of Absence

A student who wishes or needs to interrupt study temporarily because of personal exigencies may request a personal leave of absence. The general policies governing all leaves of absence are described above. A student who is current with degree requirements is eligible for a personal leave after satisfactory completion of at least one term of study. Personal leaves cannot be granted retroactively and normally will not be approved after the tenth day of a term.

To request a personal leave of absence, the student must apply in writing before the beginning of the term for which the leave is requested, explaining the reasons for the proposed leave and stating both the proposed start and end dates of the leave and the address at which the student can be reached during the period of the leave. This form is available on the School of Music’s ArtsVision website. If the deputy dean finds the student to be eligible, the leave will be approved. In any case, the student will be informed in writing of the action taken. A student who does not apply for a personal leave of absence, or whose application for a personal leave is denied, and who does not register for any term, will be considered to have withdrawn from the School.

Medical Leave of Absence

A student who must interrupt study temporarily because of illness or injury may be granted a medical leave of absence with the approval of the deputy dean, on the written recommendation of a physician on the staff of Yale Health. The general policies governing all leaves of absence are described above. A student who is making satisfactory progress toward degree requirements is eligible for a medical leave any time after matriculation. The final decision concerning a request for a medical leave of absence will be communicated in writing by the deputy dean.

The School of Music reserves the right to place a student on a mandatory medical leave of absence when, on recommendation of the director of Yale Health or the chief of the Mental Health and Counseling department, the dean of the School determines that, because of a medical condition, the student is a danger to self or others, the student has seriously disrupted others in the student’s residential or academic communities, or the student has refused to cooperate with efforts deemed necessary by Yale Health and the dean to make such determinations. Each case will be assessed individually based on all relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the level of risk presented and the availability of reasonable modifications. Reasonable modifications do not include fundamental alterations to the student’s academic, residential, or other relevant communities or programs; in addition, reasonable modifications do not include those that unduly burden University resources.

An appeal of such a leave must be made in writing to the dean of the School no later than seven days from the effective date of the leave.

An incident that gives rise to voluntary or mandatory leave of absence may also result in subsequent disciplinary action.

A student who is placed on medical leave during any term will have tuition adjusted according to the same schedule used for withdrawals (see Tuition Rebate and Refund Policy). Before re-registering, a student on medical leave must secure written permission to return from a Yale Health physician.

Leave of Absence for Parental Responsibilities

A student who wishes or needs to interrupt study temporarily for reasons of pregnancy, maternity care, or paternity care may be granted a leave of absence for parental responsibilities. The general policies governing all leaves of absence are described above. A student who is making satisfactory progress toward degree requirements is eligible for parental leave any time after matriculation.

Any student planning to have or care for a child is encouraged to meet with the deputy dean to discuss leaves and other short-term arrangements. For many students, short-term arrangements rather than a leave of absence are possible. Students living in University housing units are encouraged to review their housing contract and the related policies of the Yale Housing Office before applying for a parental leave of absence. Students granted a parental leave may continue to reside in University housing to the end of the academic term for which the leave was first granted, but no longer.

Withdrawal and Readmission

Students who wish to terminate their program of study should confer with their major instructor and the deputy dean regarding withdrawal; their signatures on an official withdrawal form are required for withdrawal in good standing. The deputy dean will determine the effective date of the withdrawal, upon consultation with the department. The University identification card must be submitted with the approved withdrawal form in order for withdrawal in good standing to be recorded. Withdrawal forms are available on the School of Music’s ArtsVision website.

Students who fail to meet departmental or School requirements by the designated deadlines will be barred from further registration and withdrawn, unless an extension or exception has been granted by the deputy dean or degree committee. Students who do not register for any fall or spring term, and for whom a leave of absence has not been approved by the deputy dean, are considered to have withdrawn from the School of Music.

Students who discontinue their program of study during the academic year without submitting an approved withdrawal form and the University identification card will be liable for the tuition charge for the term in which the withdrawal occurs. Tuition charges for students who withdraw in good standing will be adjusted as described in the section Tuition Rebate and Refund Policy. Health service policies related to withdrawal and readmission are described in the section Health Services. A student who has withdrawn from the School of Music in good standing and who wishes to resume study at a later date must apply for readmission. Neither readmission nor financial aid is guaranteed to students who withdraw. The deadline for making application for readmission is December 1 of the year prior to which the student wishes to return to the School of Music. The student’s application will be considered by the department, which will make a recommendation for review by the deputy dean. The student’s remaining tuition obligation will be determined at the time of readmission.

U.S. Military Leave Readmissions Policy

Students who wish or need to interrupt their studies to perform U.S. military service are subject to a separate U.S. military leave readmissions policy. In the event a student withdraws or takes a leave of absence from Yale School of Music to serve in the U.S. military, the student will be entitled to guaranteed readmission under the following conditions:

  1. The student must have served in the U.S. Armed Forces for a period of more than thirty consecutive days;
  2. The student must give advance written or oral notice of such service to the deputy dean. In providing the advance notice the student does not need to indicate an intent to return. This advance notice need not come directly from the student, but rather, can be made by an appropriate officer of the U.S. Armed Forces or official of the U.S. Department of Defense. Notice is not required if precluded by military necessity. In all cases, this notice requirement can be fulfilled at the time the student seeks readmission, by submitting an attestation that the student performed the service.
  3. The student must not be away from the School to perform U.S. military service for a period exceeding five years (this includes all previous absences to perform U.S. military service but does not include any initial period of obligated service). If a student’s time away from the School to perform U.S. military service exceeds five years because the student is unable to obtain release orders through no fault of the student or the student was ordered to or retained on active duty, the student should contact the deputy dean to determine if the student remains eligible for guaranteed readmission.
  4. The student must notify the School within three years of the end of U.S. military service of the intention to return. However, a student who is hospitalized or recovering from an illness or injury incurred in or aggravated during the military service has up until two years after recovering from the illness or injury to notify the School of the intent to return.
  5. The student cannot have received a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge or have been sentenced in a court-martial.

A student who meets all of these conditions will be readmitted for the next term, unless the student requests a later date of readmission. Any student who fails to meet one of these requirements may still be readmitted under the general readmission policy but is not guaranteed readmission.

Upon returning to the School, students will resume their education without repeating completed course work for courses interrupted by U.S. military service. The student will have the same enrolled status last held and with the same academic standing. For the first academic year in which the student returns, the student will be charged the tuition and fees that would have been assessed for the academic year in which the student left the institution. Yale may charge up to the amount of tuition and fees other students are assessed, however, if veteran’s education benefits will cover the difference between the amounts currently charged other students and the amount charged for the academic year in which the student left.

In the case of students who are not prepared to resume their studies with the same academic status at the same point where they left off or who will not be able to complete the program of study, the School will undertake reasonable efforts to help the student become prepared. If after reasonable efforts, the School determines that the student remains unprepared or will be unable to complete the program, or after the School determines that there are no reasonable efforts it can take, the School may deny the student readmission.

Dossier/Transcript Service

  • A dossier service is available to all School of Music graduates. A $50 set-up fee is required to initiate the file. Individual dossiers are $5 each. The Office of Admissions handles dossiers.
  • Transcripts cost $8 each. Current students and alumni with a Yale NetID can place an order by signing in through Yale Hub (yub.yale.edu), clicking on “Academic Information,” and selecting “Transcript Orders.” Alumni and former students unable to sign into Yale Hub will order directly through Parchment (www.parchment.com).

Student Responsibilities

  1. All students are required to abide by the rules and regulations of the University and the School of Music and are required to attend lessons, class sessions, rehearsals, and appointments arranged for them. Those whose attendance or progress is unsatisfactory, or whose conduct is disruptive, will be reviewed by the deputy dean and may be required to withdraw.
  2. Participation in the Yale Philharmonia, Chamber Music, New Music New Haven, and Yale Opera is a continuing responsibility during the student’s stay at the Yale School of Music, depending on the student’s major. Attendance at all rehearsals and performances is required and takes precedence over all outside commitments. Unexcused absences from an assigned ensemble will be reviewed by the dean’s office under the provisions of the above paragraph.
  3. Any student who is absent from studies for more than five consecutive days may be required to present a medical certificate to the dean’s office.
  4. The professional training program at the School of Music encourages all students to have occasional work assignments or short-term employment outside the University. Although professional work opportunities are necessary to musicians’ development, outside engagements must be scheduled so as to avoid rehearsal and performance conflicts.

International students should consult with the Office of International Students and Scholars to request that employment permission is stated in the immigration documents.

  1. Many School of Music students contract for college work-study jobs and are assigned to various duties throughout the School. The School of Music relies on the services provided by these work-study students. Students who accept these positions must meet the responsibilities of the job(s) completely. Students who do not comply with the terms of their work-study commitments may be subject to loss of job and reduction of financial aid.
  2. Students are not permitted to schedule teaching, courses, or outside work during the hours reserved for assigned ensembles.
  3. Students may not use School of Music facilities for private teaching.
  4. Students may be in School of Music facilities only during the hours that the buildings are officially open.
  5. During the school term, all students are expected to reside in the New Haven area.
  6. The possession or use of explosives, incendiary devices, or weapons on or about the campus is absolutely prohibited.

Regulations Governing Student Recitals

  1. All recital dates must be approved by the major teacher and the operations manager.
  2. All recitals, regardless of the venue or student’s major, require the submission of a student recital contract signed by the operations manager. A signed contract is necessary for a recital to be listed in the School’s calendar of events and website. Listings for contracted degree recitals are also submitted to the Yale Calendar of Events.
  3. Students may be excused from Yale Philharmonia and Chamber Music rehearsals on the day of their degree or required recitals with the permission of the conductor or faculty coach. Accompanists and other performers on recitals will not be excused from these rehearsals.
  4. Cancellation or postponement of a recital after approval of the recital contract requires submission of a Recital Cancellation Form, signed by the deputy dean, major teacher, and operations manager. Unless a doctor’s note is submitted with this form, the student will be subject to a $500 fine. Rescheduling will not occur until the Cancellation Form is submitted and, if applicable, payment is made.
  5. A complete recital program must be submitted to the concert office no later than ten business days before the date of the recital. Programs submitted 6–9 business days before the recital are subject to a $50 fine. Programs submitted 1–5 business days before the recital date are subject to a $100 fine.
  6. Trading of dates is allowed only with permission of the major teacher(s), the operations manager, and the deputy dean, and must be requested in writing.
  7. All requests for exceptions to these regulations must be submitted in writing to the operations manager and approved by the deputy dean.
  8. Changing the status of a recital (for example, from degree to required) must be requested in writing, and requires the approval of the student’s teacher and the operations manager. If a recital is no longer a degree recital, it may be canceled or rescheduled to comply with the scheduling policies stated above.
  9. Recitals must take place during term, by the last day of classes in each term. Conflicts with a concert directed by or featuring a School of Music faculty member or any other major event sponsored by the School of Music are to be avoided and will be permitted only at the discretion of the deputy dean.
  10. Degree recitals recorded by the Plaut-Kimball Recording Studio may be streamed live on a private web page; students may distribute the link to friends, family, and colleagues. Streaming of student recitals is limited to concerts in Morse Recital Hall and Sudler Hall. Degree recitals with ensembles of more than six players may only be performed and streamed with written permission of the faculty member and the dean or deputy dean.

Recordings, Images, and Livestreams

Numerous Yale School of Music performances are recorded and photographed for various purposes, including live and on-demand streaming on the School’s website and social media pages. The School retains all rights to the audio and visual reproduction of these performances, including the right to use the name and likeness of the participating performers. All students are required to sign an unlimited media release assigning such rights to the School of Music.

Standards of Behavior

The programs of study in the Yale School of Music reflect the symbiosis of the academic and professional worlds. Consequently, there are unique standards of behavior that apply to this enriched hybrid environment.

  1. Students must maintain appropriate standards of behavior for rehearsal and classroom work, which include (but are not limited to): adherence to attendance requirements, preparedness, punctuality, cooperation, and honesty.
  2. Students must learn to function in the face of the challenges and uncertainties that are inherent to the training and artistic process (as well as the profession).
  3. Students must be prepared to accept appropriate suggestions and criticism in a professional manner.
  4. Students must maintain health, diet, and practice habits that will allow them to be alert, responsive, and fully participatory.
  5. Students must learn to manage their time and commitments to meet the rigorous demands of the academic and performance schedules.
  6. Students must be prepared to reevaluate their technique, consider new approaches to training, and eliminate old habits that interfere with their progress, as guided by their teachers.
  7. Students must be able to integrate their unique creative and expressive talents with performance in ensembles.
  8. Students must develop and demonstrate the skills and self-discipline necessary to meet the rigors of and be thoroughly prepared for rehearsals and performances.

Freedom of Expression

The Yale School of Music is committed to the preservation and protection of free inquiry and expression for faculty and students in curricular and extracurricular programs and performances. The School reflects the University’s commitment to and policy on freedom of expression as eloquently stated in the Woodward Report (Report of the Committee on Freedom of Expression at Yale, 1974).

The Woodward Report states, “The history of intellectual growth and discovery clearly demonstrates the need for unfettered freedom, the right to think the unthinkable, discuss the unmentionable, and challenge the unchallengeable. To curtail free expression strikes twice at intellectual freedom, for whoever deprives another of the right to state unpopular views necessarily also deprives others of the right to listen to those views.” (See https://studentlife.yale.edu/guidance-regarding-free-expression-and-peaceable-assembly-students-yale.)

Policy on Academic Integrity and Honesty

As with Yale College, the Graduate School, and the other professional schools of Yale University, students in the School of Music must uphold the highest standards of intellectual integrity and honesty. Within a university community founded upon the principles of freedom of inquiry and expression, instances of plagiarism and cheating of any kind are particularly serious offenses. Evidence of cheating within the School of Music will be subject to disciplinary action by the dean and/or the deputy dean.

The School of Music expressly prohibits cheating and plagiarism in any of the following forms:

  1. Falsification of documents. Students must not forge or alter or misrepresent or otherwise falsify any transcript, academic record, identification card, or other official document.
  2. Examinations. Students must not copy material from other students, nor refer to notes, books, laptop computers, cellular phones, or other programmable electronic devices without written permission from the instructor. It is also prohibited for a student to use a cellular phone to discuss the exam with any other student.
  3. Plagiarism. Students must not use material from someone else’s work without properly citing the source of the material. Ideas, opinions, and data, and of course textual passages, whether published or not, should all be properly acknowledged; these may derive from a variety of sources, including conversations, interviews, lectures, and websites.

Students who violate these principles are subject to penalties, including expulsion.

Emergency Suspension

The dean of the School of Music, or a delegate of the dean, may place a student on an emergency suspension from residence or academic status when (1) the student has been arrested for or charged with serious criminal behavior by law enforcement authorities; or (2) the student allegedly violated a disciplinary rule of the School of Music and the student’s presence on campus poses a significant risk to the safety or security of members of the community.

Following an individualized risk and safety analysis, the student will be notified in writing of the emergency suspension. A student who is notified of an emergency suspension will have 24 hours to respond to the notice. The emergency suspension will not be imposed prior to an opportunity for the student to respond unless circumstances warrant immediate action for the safety and security of members of the community. In such cases, the student will have an opportunity to respond after the emergency suspension has been imposed.

When a student in the School of Music is placed on an emergency suspension, the matter will be referred for disciplinary action in accordance with school policy. Such a suspension may remain in effect until disciplinary action has been taken with regard to the student; however, it may be lifted earlier by action of the dean or dean’s delegate, or by the disciplinary committee after a preliminary review.

Student Grievances

There are four grievance procedures available to School of Music students:

  1. Graduate School Procedure for Student Complaints
  2. Complaint Resolution through Dean’s Designee or Office of Institutional Equity and Access
  3. University-Wide Committee on Sexual Misconduct
  4. President’s Procedure for Addressing Students’ Complaints of Racial or Ethnic Harassment

A student may use no more than one of these procedures for redress of any single complaint. For more information on policies on student grievances, see https://
student-dhr.yale.edu/complaint-resolution. See also Resources on Sexual Misconduct in the chapter Yale University Resources and Services.