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1. Educational Objectives
 
The Certificate of Advanced Performance Studies (CAPS) is a highly focused one-year program that provides concentrated training and performance experiences for post-baccalaureate students who demonstrate superior performance ability.  It may serve as a preparatory program in performance for graduate study, a performing career, or as a concentrated post-graduate program for those not desiring an additional degree. It may be obtained in the following areas of emphasis: cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, horn, jazz studies, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. 
 
2. Admission standards, entrance requirements and retention standards

• Admission to the Certificate in Advanced Performance Studies is according to standards established by the National Association of Schools of Music and requires a bachelor of music degree or its equivalent. 

• All applicants must have an earned baccalaureate degree or its equivalent in music from an accredited college or university. Applicants have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in previous university-level coursework. 

• Applicants living in the United States must complete a live audition and interview; international applicants may send an audio recording, although a campus audition is preferable.

• Applicants must complete the School of Music Graduate Music Theory/Music History diagnostic exam. 

• In addition to the taped or live audition, International Applicants with ESL (English as a second language) have the following admission requirements: 
  

• A minimum GPA of 3.0 must be earned for all courses required in the CAPS program. Those earning grades lower than a “B” for any required course must repeat the course; two grades of a “C” or lower will terminate the student’s program.

• Students may enroll as either full or part-time.

• Those pursuing non-degree work such as the CAPS program do not qualify for financial aid or graduate assistantships.

• Students must complete all CAPS requirements within two calendar years of beginning the program.  College, school, and department petitions for time extensions for completion of the program will be reviewed and acted upon by the Administrative Board of the Graduate School. 

3. Course sequence required for completion of certificate 
 
The certificate requires sixteen s.h.; all coursework must be earned at the 5000-level or above. All courses must be approved by the program advisor. 
 
CURRICULUM

• 6 s.h. of applied music in the principal area
• 6 s.h. of other advanced study in music history, music theory, pedagogy, and technology. (Courses are to be approved by the program advisor and must include two of the four areas.)
• 2 s.h. of ensembles (a second recital may be substituted for the ensemble requirement with the approval of program advisor)
• MUSC 6995 Graduate Recital (2) May be repeated for credit. P: Acceptance into a degree or certificate program that requires a recital for completion; prior approval by the requisite applied music faculty committee is necessary before the recital may be scheduled. Public performance of musical compositions appropriate to the student's specific degree or certificate program. 
  

Exceptions
 
Organ majors must successfully present two public recitals, one demonstrating a thorough understanding of performance practice concepts relating to pre-Classical repertoire, the other an understanding of Romantic and Contemporary repertoire and techniques.  Each recital must be performed on period-specific instruments.