Program Overview
College of Performing and Visual Arts
General Graduate Certificate Admission Requirements
View delivery options, start terms and admission requirements.
The Graduate Certificate in Performance is a two-semester post-baccalaureate course of study designed for advanced, non-degree seeking students wishing to pursue intense and concentrated musical study in violin, viola, violoncello, double bass, guitar, mandolin, banjo, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, horn, trumpet, tenor trombone, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, piano, voice, or opera performance at the graduate level. Prerequisite for admission is a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent diploma. Applicants whose first language is not English must prove acceptable English language ability before being granted Regular Admission. They may do so by submitting TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS test scores. International students may enroll in English courses in addition to the 12 credit-hour requirement. Applicants who successfully graduate from level 7 of UNC’s Intensive English Program may be eligible for Regular Admission. Applicants who have received a bachelor's or master's degree from a US Institution do not need to submit language scores. All students are required to be enrolled in an appropriate health insurance plan.
Major programmatic emphasis is placed on the development of solo and ensemble skills. A residency of two semesters (summers excluded) at the University of Northern Colorado is required with 12 total hours of earned credit in music courses. Students must maintain a 3.0 grade point average and show satisfactory performance at juried performance examinations each semester. Students entering the program are required to develop specific goals for the course of study in consultation with the assigned advisor. These might include preparation for solo competitions, preparation for orchestra auditions, preparation for entrance into a graduate program, or similar related goals.
Certificate Requirements — 12 Credits
Students will enroll in the following courses each semester:
String students (violin, viola, cello, double bass)
| MUS 673 | Individual Instruction in Strings | 2 |
| MUS 630 | Small Ensembles and Chamber Music | 1 |
| MUS 667 | University Symphony Orchestra | 1 |
MUS 673: Take 4 credits total (2 credits each semester)
MUS 630: Take 2 credits total (1 credit each semester)
MUS 667: Take 2 credits total (1 credit each semester)
MUS electives: Take 4 credits total (2 credits each semester)
Choose two credits of music electives each semester in consultation with assigned advisor.
Woodwind students (flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone)
| MUS 674 | Individual Instruction in Woodwinds | 2 |
| MUS 630 | Small Ensembles and Chamber Music | 1 |
Choose one of the following (Determined by audition)
MUS 674: Take 4 credits total (2 credits each semester)
MUS 667 or MUS 691: Take 2 credits total (1 credit each semester)
MUS 630: Take 2 credits total (1 credit each semester)
MUS electives: Take 4 credits total (2 credits each semester)
Choose 2 credits of music electives each semester in consultation with assigned advisor.
Brass and percussion students (trumpet, horn, tenor trombone, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion)
| MUS 675 | Individual Instruction in Brass | 2 |
And choose one of the following (Determined by audition)
MUS 675: Take 4 credits total (2 credits each semester)
MUS 667 or MUS 690 or MUS 691: Take 2 credits total (1 credit each semester)
MUS electives: Take 6 credits total (3 credits each semester)
Choose 3 credits of music electives each semester in consultation with assigned advisor.
Piano students
| MUS 671 | Individual Instruction in Keyboards | 2 |
| MUS 630 | Small Ensembles and Chamber Music | 1 |
MUS 671: Take 4 credits total (2 credits each semester)
MUS 630: Take 2 credits total (1 credit each semester)
MUS electives: Take 6 credits total (3 credits each semester)
Choose three credits of music electives each semester in consultation with assigned advisor.
Voice Students (Early music, Oratorio, and Art Song)
| MUS 670 | Individual Instruction in Voice | 2 |
| MUS 628 | UNC Early Music Ensemble | 1 |
MUS 670: Take 4 credits total (2 credits each semester)
MUS 628: Take 2 credits total (1 credit each semester)
Take 6 credits total (3 credits each semester) - choose three credits each semester from the following courses in consultation with assigned advisor:
* MUS 536, MUS 538 and MUS 539 include an academic element. Enrollment eligibility is based on language scores.
Opera Performance Students
| MUS 670 | Individual Instruction in Voice | 2 |
| MUS 685 | Performance in Opera Theatre | 1 |
MUS 670: Take 4 credits total (2 credits each semester)
MUS 685: Take 2 credits total (1 credit each semester)
Take 6 credits total (3 credits each semester) - choose three credits each semester from the following courses in consultation with assigned advisor:
Folk and Bluegrass Students
| MUS 630 | Small Ensembles and Chamber Music | 1 |
| MUS 654 | UNC Alternative Styles Ensemble | 1 |
| MUS 672 | Individual Instruction in Folk and Bluegrass | 2 |
| MUS Elective | 4 |
MUS 630: Take 2 credits total (1 credit each semester)
MUS 654: Take 2 credits total (1 credit each semester)
MUS 675: Take 4 credits total (2 credits each semester)
MUS electives: Take 4 credits total (2 credits each semester)
Choose 2 credits of music electives each semester in consultation with assigned advisor.
Jazz Students - Instrumental
MUS 636: Take 4 credits total (2 credits each semester)
MUS 625: Take 2 credits total (1 credit each semester)
MUS 621: Take 2 credits total (1 credit each semester)
MUS electives: Take 4 credits total (2 credits each semester)
Choose 2 credits of music electives each semester in consultation with assigned advisor.
Jazz Students - Vocal
MUS 636: Take 4 credits total (2 credits each semester)
MUS 624: Take 2 credits total (1 credit each semester)
MUS electives: Take 6 credits total (3 credits each semester)
Choose 3 credits of music electives each semester in consultation with assigned advisor.