Graduate Certificate in Orff-Schulwerk
OVERVIEW
Who is this program for?
This program is ideal for music educators who want to bring creativity, movement, and improvisation into their classrooms. It’s a great fit for teachers looking to deepen their skills in the Orff Schulwerk approach and for those interested in earning a Graduate Certificate or Master of Music degree with a concentration in Orff Schulwerk.
Program Overview
Orff Schulwerk is “Music for Children”, a way to teach and learn music using poems, rhymes, games, songs, and dances as basic materials. The Schulwerk was created by composers Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman in Europe. The emphasis is on students as improvisers and performers. It is the most exciting way to teach and learn music. The University of Kentucky has offered Schulwerk certification for teachers for over twenty years, taught by a most prestigious team of master teachers. These training courses, if taken for credits, can be used to count towards a Graduate Certificate in Orff Schulwerk and a MM degree concentrating in Orff Schulwerk.
Admission Requirements
Please view the Graduate School's Admission Requirements. If there are Program Specific Requirements listed below, those will also apply.
Application Requirements
Please view the application requirements for the Graduate School. If there are Program Specific Requirements listed below, those will also apply.
Application Deadlines
Domestic
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Fall
- 07/25/2025
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Spring
- 12/12/2025
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Summer
- 04/18/2026
International
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Fall
- 04/15/2025
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Spring
- 09/15/2025
FIND OUT EXACTLY
What You'll Learn
Orff Schulwerk is the music approach created by composers Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman. The schulwerk is a way to teach and learn music using poems, rhymes, games, songs, and dances as basic materials. The University of Kentucky offers schulwerk teacher training courses, mostly in the summers, taught by orff experts. Training is given at levels 1, 2, 3 and advanced master’s courses in different topics such as curriculum design, and composition.
Degree requirements, course descriptions and academic policies for all programs are detailed in the University Catalog.
Explore Funding Options
As a graduate student, there are additional opportunities for student funding. Once you are admitted into a degree-bearing graduate program at UK, you can apply for a wide variety of financial assistance, including assistantships and fellowships. These opportunities can be tied to your program’s availability, so you should inquire with your program director about opportunities available within your program!
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