Diploma

Details and Requirements

The Diploma is given upon completion of a minimum of 70 semester hours (s.h.), as outlined below. A minimum two-year residency is required.

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General Requirements

Performance 16 s.h.
Major lesson 16 s.h.
Additional departmental requirements (listed below)
Musical Studies 43 s.h.
Core Studies I, II, III, IV 12 s.h.
Post-Tonal Harmony 3 s.h.
Form 2 s.h.
Keyboard Studies I, II, III, IV 4 s.h.
Supplementary Piano 2 s.h.
Solfege I, II 8 s.h.
Advanced Dictation 2 s.h.
Music History I, II 8 s.h.
Music History Elective 2 s.h.
(Some majors require additional performance and musical studies courses:
See Additional Departmental Requirements, below.)
Career Studies 1 s.h.
Social Entrepreneur 1 s.h.
Liberal Arts
No specific requirements

Additional Departmental Requirements

  • Composition Majors
    Performance 14 s.h.
    Composition Seminars 12 s.h.
    Supplementary Piano 2 s.h.
    Musical Studies 6 s.h.
    Applied Orchestration 4 s.h.
    Score-Reading 2 s.h.
  • Keyboard Majors

    (Major Requirements: P=Piano, O=Organ)

    Performance 10 s.h.
    Chamber Music 4 s.h. (P, O)
    Piano Repertoire Seminar 4 s.h. (P)
    Supplementary Piano 2 s.h. (O)
    Graduation Recital – Required (P, O)
    Organ Class 4 s.h. (O)
    Early Music Performance 4 s.h.
    Musical Studies 4 s.h.
    Keyboard Studies I, II 4 s.h.
    Career Studies 2 s.h.
    Sacred Music Seminar 2 s.h. (O)
  • Orchestral Instrument Majors

    (Major Requirements: T=Timpani/Percussion, Va.=Viola, Clo.=Cello, Vn.=Violin)

    Performance 22 s.h.
    Chamber Music 4 s.h.
    Orchestra 12 s.h. (age sixteen and older)
    Orchestral Repertoire Class/Sectionals 4 s.h. (string, woodwind, brass, or percussion)
    Performance – Required (T)
    Graduation Recital – Required Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Timpani/Percussion
  • Guitar Majors
    Performance 8 s.h.
    Chamber Music 4 s.h.
    Guitar Seminar 4 s.h.
    Graduation Recital – Required
  • Voice Majors
    Performance 28 s.h.
    Opera Stagings 12 s.h.
    Diction Coachings 4 s.h.
    Vocal Performance Seminar 4 s.h.
    Vocal Repertoire Coaching 8 s.h.
    Musical Studies 4 s.h.
    History of Singing 4 s.h.

Transfer Process from the Diploma Program to the Bachelor of Music Program

Diploma students who wish to transfer to the Bachelor’s Program must provide all required application documents by September 1 for a first-semester transfer, or by December 1 for a second-semester transfer.

Diploma students may take no more than two one-semester liberal arts courses prior to an official transfer to the bachelor’s program.