Post-Baccalaureate Diploma

Details and Requirements

An undergraduate degree or equivalent is required for admission. The post-baccalaureate diploma requires a minimum of 36 semester hours (s.h.). The program takes two years to complete.

The Curtis Post-Baccalaureate Diploma offers highly gifted musicians the opportunity to pursue focused studies in their major field while strengthening the skills necessary for careers as performing artists at the highest professional level. Students study with distinguished artist-teachers in private lessons, studio classes, and coachings. These experiences are augmented by offerings in career studies and musical studies, as well as an uncommonly robust slate of performance opportunities.

Requirements

  • Piano
    Performance

    Major lesson 24 s.h.
    Piano Repertoire Seminar 4 s.h.
    Chamber Music 4 s.h.
    Special Topics for Pianists 4 s.h.
    Graduation Recital – Required
    Musical Studies

    Graduate Musical Studies 2 s.h.
    Need for this course is based on musical studies placement exam
    Career Studies

    Career Studies Graduate Seminar 2 s.h.
  • Composition
    Performance 36 s.h.
    Major lesson 24 s.h.
    Composition Seminar 4 s.h.
    Composition Techniques 8 s.h.
    Graduation Recital
    Musical Studies  
    Graduate Musical Studies 2 s.h.
    Need for this course is based on musical studies placement exam
    Career Studies
    Career Studies Graduate Seminar 2 s.h.
    Post-baccalaureate composition students are required to enroll in one additional elective each semester of their second year. Students may elect to enroll in courses through the University of Pennsylvania reciprocal program to meet this requirement.
  • Orchestral Instruments
    Performance 36 s.h.
    Major lesson 16 s.h.
    Orchestra 12 s.h.
    Chamber Music 4 s.h.
    Orchestral Repertoire Class 4 s.h.
    Graduation Recital Required for Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp, Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Timpani/Percussion 2 s.h.
    Musical Studies 2 s.h.
    Graduate Musical Studies 2 s.h.
    Need for this course is based on musical studies placement exam
    Career Studies
    Career Studies Graduate Seminar 2 s.h.
  • Guitar
    Performance 32 s.h.
    Major lesson 24 s.h.
    Guitar Seminar 4 s.h.
    Chamber Music 4 s.h.
    Graduation Recital – Required
    Musical Studies  
    Graduate Musical Studies 2 s.h.
    Need for this course is based on musical studies placement exam
    Career Studies
    Career Studies Graduate Seminar 2 s.h.
    Post-baccalaureate guitar students are required to enroll in one additional elective each semester of their second year. Students may elect to enroll in courses through the University of Pennsylvania reciprocal program to meet this requirement.
  • Conducting Fellowship
    Performance 32 s.h.
    Conducting Fellowship 24 s.h.
    Orchestra 4 s.h.
    Lab Orchestra 4 s.h.
    Musical Studies  
    Graduate Musical Studies 2 s.h.
    Need for this course is based on musical studies placement exam
    Advanced Musical Studies Seminar 4 s.h.
    Career Studies
    Career Studies Graduate Seminar 2 s.h.
  • String Quartet in Residence
    Performance 24 s.h.
    String Quartet in Residence 24 s.h.
    Musical Studies
    Graduate Musical Studies 2 s.h.
    Need for this course is based on musical studies placement exam
    Career Studies  
    Career Studies Graduate Seminar 2 s.h.
    Chamber Music Pedagogy 4 s.h.
    Community Artists Program 4 s.h.
  • Organ
    Performance 34 s.h.
    Major Lesson 24 s.h.
    Organ Class 4 s.h.
    Chamber Music 4 s.h.
    Church Music Seminar 2 s.h.
    Graduation Recital – Required
    Musical Studies  
    Graduate Musical Studies 2 s.h.
    Need for this course is based on musical studies placement exam
    Supplementary Piano 4 s.h.
    Career Studies
    Career Studies Graduate Seminar 2 s.h.