Hi again MONYDAD ...I am not saying it is not of stature or in error, definitely not ...but rather we discovered during the D's search that you could be there for vocal or for theater and it is possible to not be able to enter into the "program" after having been there a year of two also it is very heavy with liberal arts because of the type degree and then added certificate....NW is very upfront that they do not claim to be a pre-professional theater program but....that is why I always mention that they offer a certificate in MT rather than a degree in it to people first....just because that was an eyeopener to us.
NW has volumes of alumni who are very accomplished and notable in MT so I know it is up there with many of the very reputable programs.
I had called them last year to ask specifics to the departments and the BA end of the degrees because when you do/if you do enter this certificate it actually becomes, as you are probably already aware, a combo of two schools within NW (Music and Communication). Because is was mix and had non credit courses involved, it just wasn't a clear cut picture for my D's liking.
The web address I found, that you probably already have is as follows and describes the course requirements and offering for both theater majors and voice majors....
http://www.communication.northwester...e/certificate/
We decided that after all the research that the BA route nor a certificate was the way my D wanted to go...so obviously it is really a matter of personal preference.
Best of luck!