Graduate Certificate in Conducting

 

Department of Music, Theatre and Dance 207 Varner Hall  (map) (248) 370-2030 • Fax (248) 370-2041 www.oakland.edu/mtd

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Coordinator:
Joseph L. Shively
308 Varner Hall
(248) 370-2287
shively@oakland.edu

 

Program description

The Graduate Certificate in Conducting is a professional program designed to meet the needs of music teachers and other music professionals who are interested in developing high-level skills and understanding in instrumental and/or choral conducting. The program consists of 16 credits of conducting and related courses.

Admission terms and application deadlines

Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning by the semester deadlines listed below. Incomplete applications will not be sent to departments for admission review.

• July 15 for fall semester
• November 15 for winter semester
• March 15 for summer semester

Readmission and program transfer

Requests for readmission and program transfers must be completed and approved prior to the beginning of a semester.

International application deadlines

International applications are reviewed for fall and winter admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment in the University. All international application materials must be submitted by May 1 for fall admission and by September 1 for winter admission. International applicants are not eligible for Special Graduate classification.

Special Graduate classification

Applicants who are seeking a graduate degree or graduate certificate, but are unable to meet the deadline for filing all required application materials or credentials for graduate admission, may contact the department and request Special Graduate temporary admission.  The applicant must submit an Application for Admission to Graduate Study, plus a copy of a transcript providing evidence of a bachelor’s degree awarded and any specific evidence concerning their qualifications for graduate study as required by the department.  Up to 12 credits may be earned in the Special Graduate classification. Admission as a special graduate student in no way assures subsequent admission to a degree or graduate certificate program.

Students may request special graduate classification beginning  with the dates below.

• August 1 for fall semester
• December 1 for winter semester
• April 1 for summer semester

Note: Special Graduate classification will not be granted after the first week of classes in a semester.

Application requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, an applicant must submit all the university and program application requirements.

University application requirements 

• Application for Admission to Graduate Study     
• Official transcripts providing evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
• Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
  • As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
• Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms.
• Proof of English language proficiency

• International supplemental application and supporting documentation must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate. 

Program application requirements

• Applicants must have earned a baccalaureate degree in music from a regionally accredited institution or proof of a U.S. equivalent degree for foreign educated applicants.
• Applicants must schedule and perform a successful audition that shows an appropriate level of prior experience and potential for success in the program.
        For choral conducting, contact Professor Michael Mitchell (mmitchel@oakland.edu).
        For instrumental conducting, contact Professor Gregory Cunningham (cunningh@oakland.edu).
  

Admission review and assessment

Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to the Graduate Certificate in Conducting program, the department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, writing sample, letters of recommendation, audition and any other admission requirement established by the academic program.

 

Music theory placement

Students applying to the Graduate Certificate in Conducting program should contact Professor Joseph Shively, coordinator of the master’s program at shively@oakland.edu, to determine whether a theory placement is required.