INSTRUCTIONS FOR ADVISEMENT

Music Therapy Majors

 Everyone completes the following steps in sequence:

  1. Make sure you have the curriculum checksheet which is appropriate for (a) your principal instrument and (b) the literature/history option you chose. See Dr. Prickett or Dr. Cevasco if you need a new checksheet.
  2. Update your curriculum checksheet. In the blank space next to each course, write in the semester you completed that course (EX: If you completed it in Fall of 2005, write F'05 in the blank). Notate completed courses in ink. Notate courses for which you have not yet taken the final exam in pencil.
  3. A sign-up sheet for an advisement time will be circulated in music therapy classes. Sign up for an appointment and make a note of the time. The appointment list will be posted by Dr. Prickett's office door (Rm 253) and Dr. Cevasco's office door (Rm 252B).
  4. If you are going to be a freshman or sophomore, access the suggested list of courses for your Spring term.
  5. Check the Summer and/or Fall 08 schedule web sites at https://mybama.ua.edu to begin planning your schedule.
  6. Make yourself a schedule calendar for one typical week of the term, with spaces to write in courses at various hours. Remember that you must take time to eat if you are to remain healthy. [IF you are following the freshman or sophomore guide, skip to step 21.]
  7. On your schedule calendar, lock in all of the following courses you must take this term, as appropriate:
    • Required music courses, such as theory, music history, etc. (courses, not ensembles or applied lessons)
    • Music Therapy courses
    • MUE 251, if applicable.
    • MUE 381, if applicable.
    • Your most important ensemble
    • Piano class, if you are not taking applied piano and have not passed piano proficiency
    • MUA 010 (Convocation), if applicable.
  8. Make a list of the courses you blocked in, including the credit hours for each. Compute the total credit hours thus far.
  9. On this course/credit hour list, add TBA courses such as (a) music therapy practicum [sophomores, juniors, or seniors] for 1 hr. credit, (b) principal applied instrument for 2 hrs. credit, (c) applied piano, if piano is not your secondary instrument and if you are not taking piano class and have not passed piano proficiency, (d) MUA 199 (Sophomore Qualifying) if you are planning to take it at the end of the term, (e) MUA 299 (Piano Proficiency) if you are passing it in Fall 06, or (f) MUA 399 (Recital) if you will perform it before the end of the Spring term.
  10. Assuming you will take 12-17 credit hours, figure out how many hours you have left to fill. Double check the suggested list of courses for your class (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
  11. If you have not finished your Freshman Composition (EH 101 and 102) courses, schedule the necessary course in the time remaining on your blocked out schedule grid.
  12. After you have taken EH 101 and 102, select your Literature/History sequence. You may opt to take two histories and one literature or you may opt to take two literatures and one history. Make sure you have the correct checksheet for the option your select; look at the second line of the sheet's title section.
  13. If you have finished English and have not taken MUS 250, take it to finish off the "FA" requirement for General Studies.
  14. If you have taken English and MUS 250, try MATH 110.
  15. If you still need a course, try PY 101.
  16. After you finish out English, Psychology 101, and Math, start in on your foreign language, if you haven't already done so. Spanish is highly recommended.
  17. If you have finished English, Math, Humanities, and PY 101, take PY 358.
  18. If all of that has been done, begin your BSC requirements.
  19. If you are making good progress toward completion of General Studies and music requirements, you may reward yourself with another HU or SB course.
  20. Add any extra ensembles. You may NOT take more than two ensembles. Just tell the director to speak to Dr. Prickett if there is a problem. Do NOT allow ANYONE to pressure you on this. Remember, you are majoring in therapy, not in ensembles. You are here to learn to be a therapist, not to fill gaps in ensembles. Put your scholarship obligations first. If these fill up the "two ensemble limit", you may have to forego the pleasure of extra ensembles. Life's like that sometimes.
  21. Write everything in on the calendar. Eliminate overlaps.
  22. Watch for signs, emails, or verbal instructions on how to receive your registration materials. You must secure a Registration Worksheet in the main office of Moody.
  23. FILL IN THE REGISTRATION WORKSHEET. On a separate sheet of paper, list alternative courses and their code numbers for your own reference when you register.
  24. Remind yourself of your advisement appointment time and arrive promptly.
  25. When you come to your advisor's office, bring the following items (if you don't bring them, you will not be advised):
    • Your curriculum checksheet, filled in appropriately
    • Registration Worksheet, completely filled in.
    • Your schedule calendar, showing when your courses will meet
    • Your list of courses and your list of alternatives
    • Freshmen only: A paper on which the following statement is written and signed, "I aver that I have read the registration instructions three times."
  26. All these things will be looked over by your advisor. She will sign the official worksheet. All materials will be returned to you. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING UP WITH YOUR PROGRESS TOWARD YOUR DEGREE AND FOR KEEPING AN ADVISEMENT FILE.
  27. Take your signed Registration Worksheet to the main music office. The person there will give you one sheet back. If you forget to do this, you will be locked out of registration when your time comes and you'll be very, very frustrated and embarrassed to contact advisor and ask what you should do. Save yourself this embarrassment.
  28. Write your registration time on your calendar. Go online and register during your assigned time. If there are problems during your registration, see your advisor immediately.

YOUR ADVISER IS HERE TO HELP YOU AND TO PREVENT MISTAKES WHICH COULD SLOW YOUR DEGREE PROGRESS OR LEAD TO INSANITY. HOWEVER, THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR READING THE CATALOG, FILLING OUT THE SCHEDULE SHEET, TAKING THE APPROPRIATE COURSES, CHECKING THE INFORMATION IN YOUR PACKET, AND STAYING ON TARGET IS

YOURS!

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