All music majors and music minors select a primary specialization for applied studio instruction from the areas of brass, composition, guitar, percussion, piano, voice, or woodwinds. Music students select their primary specialization their freshman year. Students must audition, prior to acceptance, on their intended primary specialization. Students wishing to change their primary specialization must request an audition in the new specialization with approval of the coordinator. If the student passes the audition, the primary specialization is changed with the understanding that curriculum hours and the leveling sequence must be met in the new area. Students may not register for more hours in the primary area than the curriculum prescribes, thus students changing their primary specialization must plan to extend their graduation date. A change to composition as the area of primary specialization requires submission of a portfolio of compositions to the music faculty.

Enrollment in applied studio instruction requires a written permission slip from a Science & Arts music instructor. Students enrolled in applied studio instruction for the fall or spring semesters must concurrently enroll in recital attendance, MUSC 2880. Each applied studio instructor details additional specific requirements in course syllabi.

Students must meet with the applied studio instructor during, or prior to, the first week of courses to determine a lesson time. Once schedules are set by the instructor they are posted on their office/classroom door or on a music bulletin board. Contact information for adjunct applied studio instruction instructors is posted on a music bulletin board.

Applied studio instruction is a privilege. Generally, only music majors and music minors may enroll in applied studio instruction, with the exception of students who have requested and received the permission of the coordinator.

Students are expected to practice at least five hours per week, per credit hour of applied studio instruction. Instructors may require a record of weekly practice. Students are required to purchase repertoire or etude books (see course materials). Applied studio instruction also requires performance on student recital, a fall jury or a spring progress and skills exam. Students must perform on a student recital once for each hour of applied studio instruction in their area of primary specialization for which they are enrolled (i.e. if a student is enrolled in two credit hours, they must perform on two recitals).