2017-2018

Music Performance, Graduate Certificate

School of Music

College of Arts and Letters

This post-baccalaureate program of study is designed for students who wish to focus on an applied curriculum in order to enhance their individual performance skills. According to Graduate College policy, students may pursue certificate programs before or after work on a master’s degree. This flexible curriculum allows students to customize much of the coursework to meet their individual performance goals.

    • Graduate certificate programs require a minimum of 12 credit hours. Many graduate certificate programs require more than 12 credit hours.
    • No more than one 400-level NAU course (3 - 4 units) may be used on a graduate certificate program.
    • No more than twenty-five percent of the units required for the certificate program may be transferred from another university.
    • A 400-level course (undergraduate course) completed at another university is not eligible for transfer credit.
    • A minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be achieved to obtain a graduate certificate. No more than three units of coursework with a Grade of "C" may be used in a certificate program.
    • A graduate student may pursue a graduate certificate concurrently with a graduate degree. Each graduate degree program must decide which, if any, certificate courses can be counted toward the graduate degree.
    • Students who are admitted to a graduate certificate program will be eligible for the official posting of the graduate certificate to their transcripts when all applicable coursework has been successfully completed and approved by the academic unit and the Graduate College.
  • Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates, if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program).  See the “Details” tab for additional information.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 18
Additional Admission Requirements Required

Student Learning Outcomes

Students completing this post-baccalaureate certificate program will:

Instrumental

  • comprehend, practice, and demonstrate the fundamentals and advanced technical, musical, and artistic development necessary for success on a primary instrument.
  • interpret, distinguish, and demonstrate knowledge of historical performance practices within specific instrumental repertoire.
  • synthesize and employ all musical, technical, and theoretical information gathered in repertoire and performance training to prepare for auditions into professional organizations and/or competitive doctoral programs
Vocal
  • classify vocal music repertory within an intellectual and cultural context
  • demonstrate and apply knowledge of appropriate vocal literature within a historical context
  • comprehend, practice, and demonstrate the fundamentals and advanced technical, musical, and artistic development necessary for success in vocal performance.
  • synthesize and employ all musical, technical, and theoretical information gathered in repertoire and performance training to prepare for auditions into professional organizations and/or competitive graduate programs in the United States

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

    • Two letters of recommendation
    • Personal Statement or Essay
    • Video or Audio File
      • Prospective students pursuing a music performance certificate must submit a 15-20 minute audio/visual recording that demonstrates their skills to the major faculty member in their area before scheduling a live audition (unless prior permission has been attained from the major professor).  Please see the School of Music website for specific certificate information.
Certificate Requirements

  • Take the following 18 units:

    • MUP 611 (6 units)
    • MUS 680 or MUS 681, taken in the final semester of study (3 units)
    • Electives, such as large ensembles, chamber music, literature, pedagogy, accompanying, or additional private lessons, depending on the individual performance interests of the student. (9 units)

  • Financial Assistance
    • Due to the brevity of the Graduate Certificate in Performance program, financial assistance through the School of Music is not typically available.

  • This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Under both circumstances, federal financial aid can be used for this certificate.

  • For the 2018-19 and future catalogs, this certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate.  Federal financial aid cannot be used if the certificate is completed as a stand-alone certificate.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.