The Sacred Music degree emphasizes the spiritual and musical development of graduate students and educates them to become Ministers of Music through a full range of church music courses, practical training, church internships, and work in the Duquesne University Chapel. Graduate students may take applied studies in organ, piano, voice, and directed study in choral conducting. Graduate students perform on Duquesne's beautiful Steinway pianos and have access to a variety of superior organs in the Pittsburgh area. Student demonstrate understanding of course material and program requirements recitals, recital program notes, jury papers. Sacred music students may include sacred choral, hymns, and instrumental music in these programs. Their graduate papers may deal with topics such as improvisation, Duquesne sacred music collections, and other topics specific to sacred music. Students use and apply research and communication skills in several of the performance-area courses including, research and on-line communication skills. Courses in Practicum, Hymnody, and Improvisation help to develop areas of communication.