Program

Music (Diploma)

Domestic applications

Fall 2025: Applications Closed.

International applications

Please visit the International Application Deadline page to find out when applications may be available.

Faculty
Language, Literature & Performing Arts
Department
Music
Credits
60.00
Length of program
Four semesters
Credential type
Diploma
Campus
New Westminster
Learning format
Full-time
Admission type
Limited Enrolment
Offered
Fall

Overview

Our two-year Diploma in Music will help you develop the industry-ready knowledge and confidence you need to launch your professional career. Strengthen your skills through private lessons in voice or your chosen instrument, and take music classes in music theory and history, performing ensembles and class piano. You’ll also have the option to audition for one of Douglas’s performance groups, where you’ll get live performing experience through concerts, recordings and festival appearances.  

Our high ratio of faculty to students allows you plenty of one-on-one instruction. Our faculty members are active performers locally, nationally and internationally. They are committed to providing you with a learning experience that is both challenging and supportive. 

Many Music Diploma graduates transfer to university to pursue careers as public school music teachers. The diploma program also provides a basis for further studies directed toward performance, composition, private teaching and other careers in music. 

Admissions Requirements

  1. General College Admission Requirements
  2. English 12 with a minimum grade of "C" or approved substitution
  3. Practical Audition. The student will perform music on his/her instrument or voice.  To be placed in performance-level Studio Instruction courses, the student will demonstrate proficiency at the following minimum levels:
    • Keyboard: Grade 10 RCMT or equivalent
    • Guitar: Grade 5 RCMT or equivalent
    • All other instruments and voice: Grade 6 RCMT or equivalent
  4. Theory Assessment. The student will demonstrate familiarity and fluency with musical rudiments.
  5. Aural Skills Assessment. The student will demonstrate reliable pitch matching ability, accurate melodic memory, sight singing, and sight rhythm skills.
  6. Intake Interview. The student will meet with a music faculty member to discuss their course plan and future goals. 

 

Cost

Calculate your tuition and see the approximate cost of taking your program at Douglas College with the tuition & fee estimator. See costs broken down into categories including tuition fees, textbooks, student activity fees, U-Pass and more. 

For more information, refer to the tuition fee charts. 

Program Requirements

Curriculum framework

Graduation Requirements For Students Completing By Summer 2023: 

  • Successful completion of 60 credits as listed below
  • Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: seven (7) years

Graduation Requirements For Students Completing After Summer 2023: 

  • Successful completion of 60 credits as listed below
  • Graduate in Good Academic Standing (Cumulative GPA of 1.50 – See Academic Performance Policy)
  • 50% (30 credits) of all coursework must be completed at Douglas College
  • Time limit to complete program graduation requirements: seven (7) years

Semester I

Course Title Credits
MUSC 1110 Theory of Tonal Music I 3
MUSC 1120 History of Western Music I: Introduction 3
     
Elective   Any university-transferable Music or non-music course  3 
     
Applied options - Choose 6 credits from the following: 6
MUSC 1113  Introduction to Composition I  2 
MUSC 1114 Contemporary Instrumental Improvisation I  1.5
MUSC 1115 Ear Training and Sight Singing I 3
MUSC 1116 Class Piano I 2
MUSC 1130 Concert Band I 2
MUSC 1134 Chamber Ensemble I  1
MUSC 1135 Beginning Instrumental Ensemble I  1.5 
MUSC 1137 Jazz Ensemble I  1.5 
MUSC 1140 Chorus I 2 
MUSC 1144 Chorale I 2
MUSC 1145 Beginning Choral Ensemble I 1.5
MUSC 1150 Studio Instruction - Performance (1hr) I 3
MUSC 1152 Studio Instruction - General (1hr) I 3 
MUSC 1153 Studio Instruction - General (1/2 hr) I 2
MUSC 1157  Keyboard Accompanying I  1 
MUSC 1177 Fusion Band I 1.5
MUSC 1182 Introduction to Music Technology 3
MUSC 1184 Percussion Ensemble I 1.5
MUSC 1185 Guitar Ensemble I 1.5
MUSC 1186 Popular Guitar-Voice Basics I 1.5
     
  Total credits 15

 

 

Semester II

Course Title Credits
Academic options - Choose 6 credits from the following: 6
MUSC 1210 Theory of Tonal Music II 3
MUSC 1220 History of Western Music II: Classic / Romantic  3
MUSC 2420 History of Western Music IV: Early Music 3
PEFA 3136  History of Popular Music 3
PEFA 3236 World Music 3
     
ENGL Any university-transferable ENGL course 3
     
Applied options - Choose 6 credits from the following: 6
MUSC 1162 Keyboard Harmony I 1.5
MUSC 1163 Class Brass 2
MUSC 1164 Class Percussion 2
MUSC 1182 Introduction to Music Technology 3
MUSC 1213  Introduction to Composition II  2
MUSC 1214 Contemporary Instrumental Improvisation II 1.5
MUSC 1215 Ear Training and Sight Singing II 3
MUSC 1216 Class Piano II 2
MUSC 1230 Concert Band II 2 
MUSC 1234 Chamber Ensemble II 1
MUSC 1235 Beginning Instrumental Ensemble II 1.5
MUSC 1237 Jazz Ensemble II 1.5
MUSC 1240 Chorus II 2 
MUSC 1244 Chorale II  2
MUSC 1245 Beginning Choral Ensemble II 1.5
MUSC 1250 Studio Instruction - Performance (1hr) II 3
MUSC 1252 Studio Instruction - General (1hr) II  3
MUSC 1253 Studio Instruction - General (1/2hr) II  2 
MUSC 1257  Keyboard Accompanying II  1 
MUSC 1277 Fusion Band II 1.5
MUSC 1284 Percussion Ensemble II 1.5
MUSC 1285 Guitar Ensemble II  1.5 
MUSC 1286 Popular Guitar-Voice Basics II 1.5
     
  Total credits 15

 

 

Semester III 

Course Title Credits
Academic options - Choose 6 credits from the following: 6
MUSC 2310 Theory of Tonal Music III 3
MUSC 2312 Contemporary Popular Theory I 3
MUSC 2320 History of Western Music III: Music since 1900  3
     
Elective Any university-transferable Music or non-music course  3
     
Applied options - Choose 6 credits from the following: 6
MUSC 1113 Introduction to Composition I 2
MUSC 1182 Introduction to Music Technology 3
MUSC 1186 Popular Guitar-Voice Basics I 1.5
MUSC 2177 Fusion Band III 1.5
MUSC 2314 Contemporary Instrumental Improvisation III 1.5
MUSC 2315 Ear Training and Sight Singing III 3
MUSC 2316 Class Piano III 2
MUSC 2330 Concert Band III 2 
MUSC 2334 Chamber Ensemble III 1
MUSC 2337 Jazz Ensemble III 1.5
MUSC 2340 Chorus III 2 
MUSC 2344 Chorale III 2
MUSC 2350 Studio Instruction - Performance (1hr) III 3
MUSC 2352 Studio Instruction - General (1hr) III 3
MUSC 2353 Studio Instruction - General (1/2hr) III 2
MUSC 2357 Keyboard Accompanying III 1
MUSC 2384 Percussion Ensemble III 1.5
MUSC 2385 Guitar Ensemble III 1.5
     
  Total credits 15

 

 

Semester IV  

Course Title Credits
Academic options - Choose 6 credits from the following: 6
MUSC 2410 Theory of Tonal Music IV 3
MUSC 2412 Contemporary Popular Theory II 3
MUSC 1220 History of Western Music II: Classic / Romantic  3
MUSC 2420 History of Western Music IV: Early Music 3
PEFA 3136 Introduction to Popular Music  3
PEFA 3236 World Music 3
     
Elective Any university-transferable Music or non-music course  3
     
Applied options - Choose 6 credits from the following: 6
MUSC 1163 Class Brass 2
MUSC 1164 Class Percussion 2
MUSC 1182 Introduction to Music Technology 3
MUSC 1213 Introduction to Composition II 2
MUSC 1262 Keyboard Harmony II 1.5
MUSC 1286 Popular Guitar-Voice Basics II 1.5
MUSC 2414 Contemporary Instrumental Improvisation IV 1.5
MUSC 2415 Ear Training and Sight Singing IV 3
MUSC 2416 Class Piano IV 2
MUSC 2430 Concert Band IV 2 
MUSC 2437 Jazz Ensemble IV 1.5
MUSC 2434 Chamber Ensemble IV 1
MUSC 2277 Fusion Band IV 1.5
MUSC 2440 Chorus IV 2 
MUSC 2444 Chorale IV  2
MUSC 2450 Studio Instruction - Performance (1hr) IV 3
MUSC 2452 Studio Instruction - General (1hr) IV 3
MUSC 2453 Studio Instruction - General (1/2 hr) IV 2
MUSC 2457 Keyboard Accompanying IV 1
MUSC 2484 Percussion Ensemble IV 1.5
MUSC 2485 Guitar Ensemble IV 1.5
     
  Total credits 15

 

Notes:

  1. All Music Diploma students will be assigned a faculty advisor at the beginning of their studies.  Prior to the start of each term, students will meet with their advisor to confirm their proposed course of study.  The program Coordinator or a designated committee will review all course plans.
  2. Students are advised to check the program requirements of any receiving institution to which they are considering transferring after completing their music program, and to discuss all course transfer considerations with their faculty advisor early in their studies at Douglas College.
  3. To maintain full-time program status, Music Diploma students must enrol in a minimum of 11 credits, including both applied and academic options each term.
  4. Studio Instruction courses are available only to students who are full-time.  Students intending to transfer as Bachelor of Music students must take MUSC 1150/1250/2350/2450, and must pass a performance audition to be eligible for these courses.  "Studio Instruction - General" courses are available to all Music Diploma students, Music Technology students, and Foundation for Music Therapy Studies students.
  5. Students taking Studio Instruction courses must take a concurrent ensemble (appropriate to their instrument where possible).  Students enrolled in 'Studio Instruction - Performance' courses will enrol in one of Concert Band, Chorus or Chorale.  Concert Band, Chorus and Chorale are open by audition only.  A student's successful audition for MUSC 1150 will also serve as a successful audition for Concert Band or Chorus; students must audition separately for Chorale.  Ensemble substitutions are possible at the discretion of the Music Department.
  6. Students whose concentration instrument is violin, viola or cello will register in MUSC 1130/1230/2330/2430, but will be placed in an external orchestra to fulfill their instrumental ensemble course requirements.
  7. The program includes 12 university-transferable elective credits.  9 of these credits may be Music or non-music courses.  3 credits of English (ENGL) must be taken; students intending to transfer as Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Arts students are advised to take 6 credits of English.
  8. Class Piano is recommended for all students whose concentration is not piano.  Students who intend to transfer to a university should be aware that keyboard proficiency is required of non-pianists in most university undergraduate programs.
  9. MUSC 1182 is recommended for students intending to apply to the Music Technology Diploma Program.
  10. Participation in Basic Instrumental Ensemble (MUSC 1135/1235) and Basic Choral Ensemble (MUSC 1145/1245) is dependent upon seat availability; Basic Musicianship program students have registration priority.
  11. Participation in Fusion Band courses (MUSC 1177/1277/2177/2277) is dependent upon seat availability; Music Technology program students have registration priority.
  12. Participation in Popular Guitar-Voice Basics courses (MUSC 1186/1286) is dependent upon seat availability; Foundation for Music Therapy Studies program students have registration priority.
  13. Music electives may include any MUSC course for which the student is eligible.
  14. In each term, course levels (ie: 11XX, 12XX, 23XX, 24XX) may vary, depending on pre-requisite completion.  This is particularly true of ensemble courses.
  15. Some courses may be offered in alternate years.  Examples include PEFA 3136 (Introduction to Popular Music), PEFA 3236 (World Music), MUSC 1163 (Class Brass) and MUSC 1164 (Class Percussion).

Program Guidelines

Program Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this program and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the program, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

More Information

Special academic requirements

Music Theory and Aural Skills Assessment Information

Entrance into the Basic Musicianship, Diploma and Foundations for Music Therapy Studies requires an assessment of your music theory and aural skill level. Please refer to the departmental information page for audition dates and assessment information.

Program Participation

UT and Basic Musicianship Program students are expected to take all the required music courses each semester: Theory, Ear Training, History, Ensemble and Private Lessons. Students whose concentration instrument is not piano must also take Class Piano unless they have achieved Grade 7 RCMT level or higher.

English and other non-music electives required for the credential do not need to be taken in the same semester as the Music courses.

Students may take some music courses on a part-time basis subject to course prerequisites and seat availability. Private music lessons are not available to part-time students.

Music courses run during the day with some evening requirements in ensemble rehearsals and performances. Students may also have to take an elective in the evening.

Private Lessons

Private lessons are available only to students enrolled full-time in the Music Diploma, Music Technology Diploma, Foundation for Music Therapy Studies Diploma, or Basic Musicianship Certificate programs. The concentration instrument is the student's main instrument of study. All standard instruments in the Western Classical and contemporary musical traditions are available for study. Lessons on a secondary instrument are available on a limited basis with permission of the Music Coordinator. For a complete list of instruments of study, please see our Auditions and Assessment page.

Music Entrance Scholarships and Awards

In order to be considered for a music entrance scholarship or award, applicants must:

  • pass the performance audition,
  • qualify for University Transfer level Theory, Ear Training and Sight Singing courses, and
  • submit the scholarship application before the deadline in early May.

Tuition deposit

When offered a full-time seat in this program a non-refundable, non-transferable $350 tuition deposit is required. 

Career Pathways

Career opportunities include:

  • Composer/Arranger
  • Education Services Assistant
  • Music and Video Program Assistant
  • Musical Theatre Teacher
  • Private Music Teacher
  • Record Company Sales Rep
  • Record Producer
  • Recording Artist
  • Recording, DJ & Sales Consultant
  • Voice Coach