Program Overview
College of Performing and Visual Arts
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.
Admission
Location: Greeley
Start Term: Fall
General Graduate Certificate Admission requirements
Music Performance Graduate Certificate
Admission Deadline
Starts Each Fall Term
Audition days fill quickly, so you are encouraged to complete the application as soon as possible in order to secure an audition date and time. Information regarding audition requirements, repertoire and faculty contact information are also available on the application. The School of Music recommends that you complete your application by Jan. 1 for full consideration.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must apply to the Graduate School at the University of Northern Colorado before the program area reviews the applicant’s request for admission. Failure to submit all required materials will delay the evaluation and screening of your application.
Each applicant must:
Take the following steps to be considered for admission:
Step 1: Complete the Application
Complete the online application.
- Answer the application questions.
- Send your requests for letters of recommendation.
- Request three (3) academic or professional letters of recommendation from those who can attest to your academic potential and abilities. You will be asked to supply information for your recommenders in the application.
- Submit the application and pay the non-refundable application fee.
- Domestic Students: $50 non-refundable application fee
- International Students: $50 non-refundable application fee
- The Graduate School is waiving application fees for all current UNC students and alumni! (The waiver applies only to the UNC Graduate School application.) Click for details.
Once you submit your application you will be assigned an Admissions Portal, allowing you to upload supplemental items, as listed below, and track your application through the admissions process.
Step 2: Request Transcripts
Request one official transcript from any Institutionally Accredited college or university where a bachelor’s degree or higher was earned or is in progress (if you have earned multiple degrees, bachelor’s level or higher, an official transcript is required from each college or university where a degree was conferred). If you received a degree from UNC, you do not need to request a transcript from UNC. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to request that applicants provide official transcripts from other colleges or universities as needed. Applicants who have earned or are directly pursuing a higher degree from a regionally accredited institution without receiving a bachelor’s degree (e.g., PharmD) may be eligible to apply to the Graduate School without the conferral of a bachelor’s degree.
Exceptions: If an applicant intends to use Veteran’s Education Benefits, an official transcript from all colleges or universities attended will be required in order to maintain compliance with Veteran’s Affairs policies.
Official transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent via mail directly from the educational institution in an unopened, sealed envelope or through an electronically secure digital program from the issuing institution.
Mailed transcripts should be sent to:
University of Northern Colorado
Office of Admissions
Campus Box 10
501 20th St
Greeley, CO 80639
Electronic transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent directly from the educational institution to: grad.admissions@unco.edu.
The Office of Admissions does not accept email, scanned or PDF transcripts directly from applicants. All official transcripts, submitted as part of the application process, are retained by UNC and not returned to applicants or admitted students.
UNC retains submitted transcripts, from institutions other than UNC, for admitted students for up to five years after graduation or date of last attendance at UNC. Transcripts provided by applicants who were not admitted, denied admissions or did not complete their application are destroyed after one (1) year. The Office of Admissions will make every attempt to use previously submitted transcripts if they are within these timeframes. However, if the Office of Admissions cannot locate previously submitted transcripts, the transcripts fall outside the timeframes listed above or they are considered illegible, applicants must provide new transcripts.
Applicants with academic credentials from outside the U.S. will need to follow the requirements for submission of foreign transcripts. Click on the Transcripts tab for information about international transcripts.
Step 3: Note About the GRE
This program does not require GRE scores.
Step 4: Supplemental Items
Log back into the Admissions Portal to upload any music specific requirements. Visit the School of Music website for a full listing of supplemental music requirements.
International applicants (non-U.S. citizen/non-U.S. Permanent Resident) please refer to the International Admissions Requirements page for further information about submitting transcripts, English proficiency scores, passport copy and financial documentation.
For More Information
For more information about the admission process, please email the Office of Admissions at grad.admissions@unco.edu or call 970-351-2881.
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.