Overview
Our curriculum for the music performance certificate is designed to provide a comprehensive and tailored musical education. With a focus on advanced performance study, you’ll take part in studio lessons, large ensemble participation and specialized coursework, explore various performance areas, receive mentorship from accomplished faculty and expand your repertoire.
Whether you’re pursuing the certificate as a post-baccalaureate or after completing the MM degree, our curriculum will elevate your musical skills and open doors to new opportunities.
Faculty and Staff
Our inspirational faculty and staff make sure students feel welcome and empowered to think outside the box and explore all possibilities of making art at UWM. Visit the Peck School of the Arts directory to meet these artists, explore their biographies and engage with recent work.
Admission Requirements
Graduate applicants must meet general Graduate School admission requirements in addition to specific program requirements found on the Peck School of the Arts apply page.
To learn more, request a remote audio or video appointment with the UWM Graduate School.
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.
Eligibility and Admission
Students will be admitted via audition, using the repertoire specified for Graduate Students on the PSOA Music Audition page. Curriculum Vita required.
Application
- Students wishing to obtain this certificate must declare their intention by applying to the program office or director.
- All graduate certificate applicants—even those already enrolled in a UWM graduate program—must apply to the Graduate School.
- Graduate degree and previously admitted graduate non-degree students who decide to pursue a certificate program must submit the application before completing 6 credits in the certificate sequence.
- Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree and have a minimum 2.75 cumulative undergraduate grade point average to be admitted into a certificate program.
Credits and Courses
Certificate is a one-year program (14-18 credits) during which performers can hone skills in selected areas, including advanced repertoire and chamber music performance, through study with faculty and academic staff.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Specific Requirements | ||
| Select 4 cr each for 2 semesters: | ||
| MUSPERF 7XX | Performance (Instrument/Voice Lessons) | 8 |
| Select 1 cr each for 2 semesters: | 2 | |
| Symphony Orchestra | ||
| Wind Ensemble | ||
| Concert Chorale (or other appropriate large ensemble depending on instrument/voice) | ||
| Select 1-2 cr for 2 semesters: | ||
| Any graduate level Music or MusPerf class related to performing interests | 4-8 | |
| Total Credits | 14-18 | |
Recital
If the student chooses, they may present a capstone performance comprising solo and/or chamber works.
Additional Requirements
Transfer Credit
No more than 20% of the required credits may be taken at an institution other than UWM. These courses are subject to Graduate School transfer policy and must be approved by the director of the certificate program.
Grade Point Average Requirement
A minimum cumulative 3.00 grade point average in certificate courses taken at UWM is required.
Articulation with Degree Programs
- Credits and courses required for a certificate may double count toward meeting UWM graduate degree requirements subject to the following restrictions:
- Degree programs must approve the courses from certificates that can double count toward the degree.
- All credits taken in completion of certificate requirements may count towards a UWM graduate degree as long as they do not contribute more than 90% of the total credits needed to obtain the degree. (Note: Students in PhD programs must still complete the minimum residency requirements)
- Certificate courses used toward meeting degree requirements must be completed within the time limit for transfer credit.
- Courses completed for a degree may be counted toward a subsequent certificate, subject to all certificate policy requirements.
- A course may count toward no more than one certificate and one degree.
- Students may not earn a certificate subsequent to a concentration in the same area.
Time Limit
Certificate program time limits shall be established as follows:
- 18 or fewer credits/Three years from initial enrollment in the certificate sequence.
- 19 or more credits/Four years from initial enrollment in the certificate sequence.
For certificates that are designed as add-ons to degree programs and are awarded concurrent with the degree, the time limit shall be the same as that of the degree program.