A minimum of thirty-six (36) credits is required for the completion of a Master of Arts in Vocal Performance. These credits must be earned at the 2000-level, and any classes taken at the 0000 or 1000- level are considered remedial and will not count toward the degree. The recommended time for the completion of this degree is four semesters. However, it is possible to complete in three semesters if the student has no remedial requirements. Also available is the Advanced Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy.

Placement Exams

• Music Theory and Aural Comprehension
• Music History

Placement exams are given before the start of the first semester. For each exam, or part of an exam, that you do not pass you will be assigned an undergraduate course. Any undergraduate review courses you are required to take do not count toward the 36 points required for the degree.

Registration for Private Voice Instruction is required for each semester that you are enrolled on a full-time basis (12 credits or more). A minimum of three semesters is required for the degree.

Voice Jury

At the end of two semesters of private voice study you are required to perform a voice jury. You must prepare a minimum of eight (8) songs and must demonstrate that you are making vocal progress and are covering sufficient repertoire to enable you to prepare your Master’s Recital.

Note: Vocal Performance majors must provide their own accompanists for lessons, juries, and recitals. Accompanists can be found through the program, and there often accompanists already associated with particular voice studios.

Minimum Grade Requirement

Students must earn a minimum of a B in any MPAVP-GE course in order for the credits for that course to count toward the degree.

Program of Study

You must earn six (6) credits in core courses including:

Three (3) additional academic credits – approved by advisement – must be earned from Research, Aesthetic, or Literature courses such as:

A total of twenty-one (21) specialization credits are required. They include:

A total of four (4) credits of Graduate Diction are required. Those courses are:

* Exemption exams are offered for these courses. Being exempted from these courses allows room in your schedule for more elective credits. The remaining two (2) credits are guided electives to be selected from such courses as those listed below. (It is strongly recommended that during your final semester you take Opera Workshop: Classical Voice Business Skills.)

The terminal experience for the degree is a graduate recital with related course work: