Artist Diploma

Plan Description

The Artist Diploma is a two-year program for gifted performers who are looking for advanced instrumental, conducting, or vocal studies without the additional academic demands required in a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) or Ph.D. program.  Applicants must have already earned a master’s degree or equivalent conservatory or professional experience.  This program is limited to the most advanced instrumentalists, vocalists, and conductors, who are in the beginning stages of professional careers as performers.

The Artist Diploma program differs from the Doctor of Musical Arts program in that it is intended for musicians who are solely interested in a career in performance whereas the DMA program is designed for students who may primarily be pursuing a career in academia.  The curriculum is limited to applied lessons, ensembles, and performance related seminars in order to provide students with the maximum opportunity to refine their performance skills. The Artist Diploma recipient will be prepared to go on to participate in international competitions, audition for professional orchestras and opera companies, and embark on a performance career. 

The student in the Artist Diploma program is at the beginning stages of a career in performance, as opposed to the Doctor of Musical Arts degree, which prepares the student for a career in academia. The type of focused study on performance in the Artist Diploma program prepares students for professional opportunities such as regional, national, and international competitions, auditions for opera companies, and symphony orchestras.

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements

Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

Students applying for admission to the Artist Diploma program must apply online through the Graduate College website.

1. All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements. In addition to submitting an application and transcripts of all college-level work to the Graduate College, prospective students must present the following credentials:
2. Prospective students must also present credentials to the School of Music. Under the Program Information section of the online application, the specific concentration must be listed. The following credentials must be presented to the School of Music:
3. Instrumental and Vocal Performance subplans:
   1. Three to five confidential letters of recommendation.
   2. A successful on-campus performance audition.
4. Conducting subplan:
   1. Three to five confidential letters of recommendation.
   2. A videotape or DVD of a rehearsal and performance under the applicant’s direction.
   3. An on-campus conducting audition.

5. Audition requirements and contact information vary by division. 

Plan Requirements

See Subplan Requirements below.

Subplan 1: Instrumental
Subplan 2: Vocal
Subplan 3: Conducting

Subplan 1: Instrumental

Total Credits Required: 42

Subplan 2: Vocal

Total Credits Required: 42

Subplan 3: Conducting

Total Credits Required: 42

Certificate Requirements

1. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or above for each semester enrolled.
2. Receive a grade of B (3.0) or above  (or satisfactory, if applicable) in all courses. If less than a B (or satisfactory) is earned, the course may be repeated.

Plan Certificate Completion Requirements

A minimum of 42 credits is required to complete the Artist Diploma.

The Final Recital will be the Culminating Experience for the Artist Diploma.

Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.