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College of Music
Giving & Alumni
College of Music

Student Resources

Performance Diploma Checklist and Requirements

The Performance Diploma Program is an intensive four-semester (two-year) course of study for musicians who
have already achieved a high level of performance and wish to focus on developing their performing skills through
further study. Admission to the program is by a 30-minute live audition on campus for the faculty of the area of
study. There is no English language proficiency requirement. The program provides for concentrated study in appropriate literature with a master teacher, without being enrolled in a degree program. The program features private study as well as chamber music and ensemble experience within the College of Music. In addition, Diploma students are required to perform one recital during each of the two years of enrollment, with only 4 hours of dress rehearsal for either of their recitals. During their time of study, Performance Diploma students concentrate almost exclusively on developing their performing skills. This program recognizes accomplishment but does not carry the privileges of a college degree. Instead, students would likely be preparing for auditions, competitions, or career entry positions.

* Courses from another university, college, or music school may not be transferred into the Performance Diploma Program.

  • LETTER OF INVITATION
  • OBTAIN HOUSING
  • PRE-ARRIVAL
    • Before you leave for East Lansing, please contact Dan Hanrath for an advising appointment.
  • UPON ARRIVAL
    • Get settled into your housing.
    • Meet with Dan, if you have not already done so. You can then work with him or with Anne Simon on your enrollment.
    • International students must check-in with OISS (https://oiss.isp.msu.edu/) at the International Center, Monday through Friday from 1 pm to 4:30 pm. Upon check in, you must provide OISS with your U.S. address and your travel documents. Your address cannot be a P.O Box or an office address.
    • Go to the ID office https://idoffice.msu.edu/ to get your MSU ID card. The ID office is located in theInternational Center. Your will need a picture ID and your PID#.
    • Connect with your professor regarding activities and additional details about your program.
  • WHILE HERE
    • You must report any change of address in StuInfo. International students must report their change of address to OISS within 5 days.
    • International students must report any life event that may affect their immigration status such as birth of a child, marriage, change of legal name, divorce or death. This rule also extends to J-2 dependents.
    • International students must come to OISS to have their I-20/DS-2019 signed if they plan to travel outside the United States. Signatures are valid for 6 months.
  • WHEN LEAVING
    • International students must check out at OISS when their program ends.
  • LOCKERS
    • There are a limited number of lockers available within the Music and Music Practice buildings. A $20 non- refundable fee is required before a locker key is issued. To sign out a locker go to the main office in the music building or email mainoffice@music.msu.edu.

Students in the program will enroll through Lifelong Graduate Education and will be responsible for the cost of 4 credits of tuition each semester at the Lifelong Graduate rate. There is no additional fee for the program. The College of Music does not offer financial assistance (scholarships, fellowships, or graduate assistantships) for participants in the Diploma Program. Performance Diploma students are subject to all the rules and regulations of the College of Music and the University. Prospective students should contact the College of Music Admissions Office for information on admission procedures to the Diploma Program in Performance. Students must complete a graduate application to the College of Music and pass the audition before a decision can be made on acceptance into the program.

• The MSU Life Long Education application is available at
http://www.reg.msu.edu/ROInfo/EnrReg/LifelongEducation.asp.
** International students are issued an I-20 so that they may apply for an F-1 Visa. **

The Associate Dean for Graduate Studies of the College of Music administers the program. All students in
the program are required to meet with the Associate Dean for advising before the beginning of each semester. Contact the Graduate Office to set up an appointment.

The program requires 16 credits of MUS 896 Master’s Performance taken over four semesters. These credits of MUS 896 must include at least 8 credits of instruction in the applied instrument (2 credits for each of four
semesters), 4 credits of instruction in chamber music (1 credit for each of four semesters) and 4 credits of instruction in major ensemble (1 credit for each of four semesters). (Voice students may substitute MUS 435 Opera
Workshop for the chamber music requirement.) .

Two recitals^^ are required (1 each year) and must be approved in advance, according to the College of Music policy for graduate recitals. Additional requirements will be determined in consultation with the major teacher. Students must complete a Pre-Recital hearing/form, like the degree program students. They have to provide a program and an AUDIO recording of their performances. Credits from the Performance Diploma Program may be used toward a Master’s or Doctoral degree at MSU after consultation with the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies.

^^ Mock Audition in Lieu of Solo Recital

Performance Diploma students must:

  • Maintain a cumulative grade–point average of at least 3.00.
  • Not accumulate deferred grades (identified by the DF–Deferred marker. If at the end of a semester a performance diploma student fails to meet one or both requirements specified
    above, the student shall receive a deficiency warning. If the deficiency is not removed within one semester, the student will not be allowed to continue in the program. A student may accumulate no more than 6 credits with a grade below 3.0 in courses that are to be
    counted toward the certificate. Credit will not be awarded for any course in which the student receives a grade less than 2.0. However, all grades are counted in the calculation of the grade-point average (GPA).