Students desiring admission into this certificate curriculum will be interviewed by a committee consisting of members of the theory faculty. The interview will include an appraisal of the student’s keyboard proficiency, sight-singing and aural skills, and understanding of theoretical concepts and pedagogy. It is assumed that any student granted admission into the certificate curriculum would have been accepted as a student in the graduate school.

The division also offers a course in theory pedagogy for master's and doctoral students in performance, composition, and other areas of emphasis, preparing them for faculty appointments that may include duties in teaching theory.