1. Demonstrate scholarly writing techniques and exemplary independent research capabilities.
  2. Demonstrate advanced competencies in music education before peers and faculty, including knowledge and application of methodology in quantitative and qualitative music research.
  3. Demonstrate advanced capacities to work independently and make effective artistic and intellectual judgments and professional decisions in the area of music education.
  4. Demonstrate graduate-level perspectives on contemporary issues and problems in music education. This may include a review of curriculum developments, teaching methodology, innovations, and
    multidisciplinary concepts in advanced seminars or by other means.
  5. Produce a final project or some equivalent reviewed by more than one faculty member.
  6. Demonstrate knowledge and skills in one or more fields of music outside the major such as performance, conducting, theory and analysis, and history and literature.

Additional competencies for the performance emphasis

A1. Demonstrate advanced competencies in performance.

A2. Voice majors must demonstrate advanced proficiency in English, German, French, and Italian diction and to have general phonetic knowledge and skills that can be applied to other languages. They must demonstrate language competencies sufficient to understand texts in the repertory.

A3. Early music or historical performance majors shall comprehend advanced knowledge of music history and performance practice.

A4. As a culminating demonstration of professional capability in the major field, the student must present a public performance. Normally, the performance includes at least sixty (60) minutes of recital in which the performer is a soloist.

Additional competencies for the composition emphasis

B1. Demonstrate advanced competencies in composition.

B2. As a culminating demonstration of professional capability in the major field, the student must produce at least one original composition appropriate as a final project.

Additional competencies for the conducting emphasis

C1. Demonstrate advanced competencies in conducting, including conducting gestures, analytical studies, score reading, and rehearsal techniques.

C2. Demonstrate advanced competencies in ear training.

C3. Choral conducting majors must demonstrate advanced proficiency in vocal pedagogy and in English, German, French, Italian, and Latin diction. They must demonstrate general phonetic knowledge and skills that can be related to other languages. They will be able to apply language competencies sufficient to understand texts in the repertory.

C4. As a culminating demonstration of professional capability in the major field, the student must conduct a concert-length public performance or the equivalent.