The Catholic Institute of Sacred Music is delighted to announce the 2026 launch of its summer-based 36-credit Master of Sacred Music degree, and two 20-credit Post-Baccalaureate Certificates in Gregorian Chant and Sacred Choral Music, pending approval from WSCUC. Applications open November 15th, 2025.
The MSM and Certificates are completable over three to five summers, depending on how many weeks you can be on campus during the summer. During the regular fall and spring semesters, you’ll work with a voice teacher in your area, and take a 1-hour online (live via Zoom) colloquium with other graduate students.
Our affordable tuition ($250 per credit hour) and compact format mean that you can keep your job at a parish or school while completing graduate studies.
Courses will also remain open to students wishing just to take a graduate class or two, without matriculating into a degree/certificate program.
Check out this summer’s classes here: catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.org/summer-courses.
Our curriculum prepares you with the theological, philosophical, and historical knowledge—as well as the practical skills (singing, playing, conducting, teaching, composing, organizing, fundraising)—necessary to build excellent sacred music programs in parishes and schools.
Our world-class faculty of dedicated Catholic scholars and practitioners delivers a curriculum that is robust, and focused on musical excellence and fidelity to the Catholic faith and tradition. Summer classes are buttressed by an horarium that allows time for sung daily Mass and vespers, access to confessions, and time for private prayer, study, relaxation, and fellowship.
Interested in learning more?
We have two digital open houses upcoming. Sign up here to learn more.
- History and Principles of Sacred Music
- Advanced Seminar in Gregorian Chant: Manuscript Sources, Semiology, and Interpretation
- Advanced Seminar in Gregorian Chant: Vocal Technique and Semiological Performance Practice
- Teaching Gregorian Chant to Children
- Liturgical Theology
- Introduction to Gregorian Chant
- Organ Accompaniment of Chant
- Choral Institute
- Composition Seminar
- Organ Improvisation
- Choral Preparation: Choral Conducting, Rehearsal Techniques, and Group Vocal Pedagogy
- Advanced Seminar in Gregorian Chant: Notation and Practice in the Tenth through Fourteenth Centuries
- Advanced Seminar in Gregorian Chant: Cantare super librum
- Dr. Jennifer Donelson-Nowicka, Music History and Gregorian Chant
- Prof. Christopher Berry, Choral Music and Organ
- Dr. Frank La Rocca, Composition
- Dr. Charles Weaver, Gregorian Chant
- Dr. Alison Altstatt, Gregorian Chant
- Prof. Sandra Raquel Bengochea, Vocal Pedagogy
- Dr. Joseph Dyer, Gregorian and Old Roman Chant
- Dr. Rosemary Heredos, Gregorian Chant
- Fr. Joshua Neu, Liturgy and Scripture
- Dr. Edward Schaefer, Gregorian Chant
- Dr. Christopher Tietze, Organ
- Fr. Nicholas Schneider, Liturgy
- Dr. Adrian Walker, Philosophy
- Fr. Vincent Woo, Canon Law and Liturgy
Contact us for more information at info@catholicinstituteofsacredmusic.org
