Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Musicology

Musicology professor performing with composition professor

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Musicology is a specialized graduate certificate program designed for students who already hold an undergraduate degree. It is often pursued by students currently enrolled in other graduate music degrees (such as an M.M., D.M.A., or Ph.D.) to build a secondary area of expertise in music history and research. Students will develop a level-appropriate knowledge and understanding of musical styles, theories, and practices in their historical and cultural contexts and will develop research and writing skills for the field of music history.

About the School of Music

The School of Music at UNC Greensboro was ranked #1 in the U.S. by Best Value Schools in 2025.

The UNCG School of Music offers the only comprehensive degrees in music education and music performance in the State of North Carolina, from the undergraduate level through doctoral study.

The school is a member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

The Post Baccalaureate Certificate in musicology Program Distinctions

UNCG pairs Musicology and Ethnomusicology into a unified, collaborative area. Students explore music through both historical documents and cultural/global lenses simultaneously.

The PBC in musicology is not just a standard stand alone degree. The program’s curriculum enhances the marketability of its performance (M.M. and D.M.A.) students. 

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate focuses heavily on developing practical pedagogy skills.

The Certificate in Musicology Student Experience

Students work directly with a dedicated Musicology area advisor to design a personalized plan of study. Some examples of areas of study include western art music, ethnomusicology, popular culture, or screen media.

PBC students sit alongside master’s and doctoral peers in advanced Musicology Graduate Seminars. This environment fosters a “near-peer” mentoring model among performance majors, theorists, and historians.

Studies focus on the student’s next professional step in mind. The academic curriculum focuses heavily on sharpening advanced writing, research methodologies, and historical analysis.

After Receiving a Certificate in Musicology

The certificate program prepares graduates for further graduate study in musicology, and enhances the employability of students with an interest in public-sector music fields and arts administration.

How to Apply to the PBC in musicology Program

Students interested in the PBC in Musicology complete the UNCG Graduate School admission process and the School of Music Master’s admissions process.

Frequently Asked Questions About the PBC in musicology Program

The PBC in Musicology requires 13 credit hours. Full-time, standalone students can complete this in one academic year. Concurrent degree students can complete the certificate program in one-and-a-half to two years.

No. While the curriculum is intentionally designed to enhance the marketplace skills of concurrent master’s and doctoral students already enrolled at UNC Greensboro, it is a fully independent graduate certificate. The program explicitly is open to any student holding a BA, BM, or other four-year undergraduate degree who meets the university’s graduate admission requirements.

A Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Musicology from UNCG serves as a high-utility academic credential that bridges the gap between music history and professional practice. Graduates use it to advance their academic careers, broaden their teaching eligibility, or pivot into arts leadership.

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Program Details

Degree Type: Graduate Certificate

College/School: College of Visual and Performing Arts

Program Type: Graduate Certificate

Class Type: In Person

Catalog Name: Musicology, P.B.C.

Contact Us

Nicholas Lewis, DMA
nelewis@uncg.edu
Graduate Student Services Specialist
336-334-5794