Acceptance as a graduate student by the Departments of Music is required. The applicant must have extensive performance and teaching experience after receiving a master's degree from an accredited institution in piano, vocal accompanying, or chamber music performance.

The applicant must submit the following to the advisory committee:

two letters of recommendation (including one from a professional colleague, not teacher of the applicant) attesting to the applicant's past and potential ability as a concert performer,
programs and critical reviews, if available,
completed repertoire and professional experience record, obtainable

The applicant must successfully complete the following entrance requirements:

sight reading examination of vocal scores and transposition before the advisory committee,
written placement examinations (two hours each) in (a) music history and (b) music theory.

Minimally accepted TOEFL scores, when applying for graduate programs, are 550-paper, 213-computer, and 80 Internet. Students taking the TOEFL should have at least 20 out of 30 in each of the TOEFL subcategories. The minimally accepted graduate IELTS score is 6.5. Individual IELTS test module scores are also reviewed in addition to the overall IELTS score.