Explore Music Analysis, Performance, and Recording
The Certificate in Popular Music Studies introduces students to fundamental concepts associated with the creation and reception of popular music. It is a credential that enables students to demonstrate basic competency with the performance, production, or analysis of popular music, and may be particularly appealing to those studying music, communications media, entrepreneurship, or marketing.
The certificate program is administered jointly by the Department of Music and the Department of Communications Media. This 19-credit certificate, a joint program of the Music and Communications Media departments, requires students to take 10 credits of core courses and an additional nine credits of electives.
Post-baccalaureate students can open new areas of creative or professional activity by returning to earn the certificate. Current music majors and communications media majors can expand their résumé by adding this program.
Imagine Your Future
For some, playing and appreciating music is enough. At IUP we prepare you to take your music to the next level whether that be professionally or as accomplished amateurs. Many of our graduates enjoy successful careers in music.
Popular music forms the fabric of many people's lives, leading millions to pursue making music as a career or a hobby.
Students in Music Education, Music Performance, Communications Media, Business, and other majors can benefit from adding this certificate to their credentials. A music student who performs primarily classical music or jazz can add skills in popular music to his or her portfolio.
Communications Media majors can add extra musical competencies to broaden their knowledge of audio recording or video production. Post-baccalaureate students can open new areas of creative or professional activity by returning to earn the certificate. It is a credential that enables students to demonstrate basic competency with the performance, production, or analysis of popular music, and may be particularly appealing to those studying music, communications media, entrepreneurship, or marketing.
Classes and Requirements
It requires 10 credits of core courses and an additional nine credits of electives.
Full Academic Catalog Listing
The course catalog is the official reference for all our degree and course offerings. Check it out for a full listing of the classes available and requirements for this degree.
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Facilities
- Performing Arts Center
- Gorell Recital Hall
- Cogswell Hall
- Orendorff Music Library
- Fisher Auditorium
Our Faculty
The Music Department at IUP offers a faculty of 26 full-time and seven part-time professors. They are all scholars and active musicians, who perform on the national and international stage. Unlike many other schools with adjunct professors who come in only on days when they teach, our individual instrument professors are on campus full time, interacting with their students, encouraging them to reach their full potential.
We have professors who specialize in brass, keyboard, percussion, strings, voice, and woodwinds. We have nationally and internationally recognized ensemble directors and composers. And we have scholars who bring a wealth of knowledge to lead you through music education, history, theory, and composition.
But most importantly, our faculty is dedicated to teaching and mentoring their students. All music majors are advised by a faculty member in their performance area.
Student Opportunities
Check out our more than 20 ensembles. Instrumental groups include Marching Band ("The Legend"), Symphony Band, Wind Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra. Jazz groups include Jazz Band and Jazz Ensemble.
Vocal Groups are Chorus, Chorale, Chamber Singers, and Music Theater. Area Groups include Percussion Ensemble and Brass Ensemble.
There are also additional groups such as the Trombone Choir and Clarinet Choir.
We have active student chapters of Phi Mu Alpha, An all-male music fraternity; Sigma Alpha Iota, an all-female music sorority; and Delta Omicron, a co-ed, professional fraternity. All three groups participate in service activities for the Music Department. You can also join our student chapter of the Pennsylvania Collegiate Music Educators Association.
If you are planning a career in music education, you may want to help with the String Project, which gives children the chance to learn to play a string instrument and perform in a concert. We also have a new Community Music School that coordinates requests for college students to teach music lessons and conducts youth choral groups.