Certificates

Students with laptops at a table

The College of Music offers four certificate programs and an Arts Administration micro-credential for CU Boulder undergraduate students. Non-music majors may pursue the Music Technology or Singing Health Specialist certificates.

    Undergraduate certificates

    The Music Technology Certificate program is comprised of a variety of courses designed to provide a strong background in using technology to compose and produce music. The courses range from an introductory survey of music software and hardware to in-depth studies of DSP, synthesis, algorithmic composition, recording and post-production techniques, film scoring and many other topics. The software used in many of the classes includes Logic Pro, ProTools, Abelton Live, Finale, Lilypond, MAX, PD, SuperCollider, CSound, Final Cut Pro, Audacity, SoundHack and Spear.

    To declare the certificate:

    • Students must have successfully completed Intro to Music Technology (MUEL/MUSC 2061).
    • Students must have a 2.0 or higher CU Boulder GPA.
    • We strongly recommend that you enroll no later than the end of your sophomore year.

    Music Technology curriculum

    Music Technology declaration form

    The innovative music entrepreneurship program is administered by the Entrepreneurship Center for Music (ECM) in partnership with the Leeds School of Business. This robust curriculum positions the College of Music among the nation’s leading programs in arts entrepreneurship. The certificate, open to music majors only, includes a business minor plus academic and experiential credits within the College of Music. Acceptance to the business minor is determined by the Leeds School of Business and is contingent on completion of the required prerequisites. Visit the Leeds Business Minor page for more information.

    To declare the certificate:

    • Students must have successfully completed Building Your Music Career (MUSC 2918).
    • Students must have a 2.0 or higher CU Boulder GPA.
    • Students must also have a declared business minor to declare the Music Entrepreneurship Certificate.
    • We strongly recommend that you enroll no later than the end of your sophomore year​.

    Music Entrepreneurship curriculum

    Music Entrepreneurship declaration form

    Open to qualified music majors, the purpose of the Music Theory Certificate is to 1) provide students with interest and aptitude the opportunity to take more varied upper-level courses and develop independent projects under babyÖ±²¥app mentorship; and 2) provide these students with a formal acknowledgement of their work in music theory, which could serve as a stepping stone to graduate school, private teaching, theory teaching in primary or secondary schools, or work in music-related media and technology. 

    To apply for the certificate: 

    • Students need a minimum average grade of B+ or higher for freshman and sophomore music theory and aural skills classes to qualify.
    • Application typically takes place sophomore or junior year.
    • A babyÖ±²¥app sponsor must sign off on the application.
    • Please have a statement of purpose ready to submit in the application.

    The Music Theory Certificate includes an independent study with a babyÖ±²¥app member that results in a research project and presentation. The project could be in a variety of formats including a paper (4-5,000 words not including examples bibliography) or a shorter paper (2-3,000 words not including examples or bibliography) and an additional component such as a composition, multimedia presentation, software or performance.

    Music Theory curriculum

    Music Theory Certificate application
    The chair of the Music Theory Department will communicate with you once your application has been considered. Please note that your application is pending until that point.

    The Singing Health Specialist certificate—offered by only a handful of music programs—comprises 14 credits of undergraduate coursework in Music and Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, includes voice therapy or voice lesson observations, and allows vocalists and speech pathologists to specialize in an important and relevant area. The certificate is designed to 1) train speech pathologists in signing techniques and specialized support to vocalists; and 2) train singers to be specialists in their field, and promote longevity and health in singing careers.

    The following are required to declare the certificate:

    • A voice/musical theatre music major or a speech-language pathology major.
    • 3.0 or higher cumulative CU Boulder GPA.
    • Submit the declaration form during sophomore year.
    • Speech-language pathology majors: Complete the Singing Health Observation Completion Form to verify the voice therapy/lesson work.

    Singing Health Specialist curriculum

    Singing Health Specialist declaration form

    When students enrolled in the Singing Health Specialist certificate have completed the required non-credit observation hours, please complete the Singing Health Observation Completion Form to verify this requirement is considered complete on your degree audit.

    The is a credit-bearing credential for undergraduate music majors to gain knowledge about management, leadership and administration within arts organizations. Student participate in practical applications of management and leadership crucial to the field of arts administration through their coursework, and access authentic experiences and skills through an established network of top arts administrators practicing in the profession.