FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Go to questions about:
PROGRAMS
Do you have a graduate program in Jazz? Music Management or Music Business? Music Education? No, we do not. We have programs in Performance, Conducting and Composition.
Do your conducting and/or voice programs include Musical Theater or Opera? We have an Opera Workshop that most of our graduate voice students participate in. We offer only classical singing. However, the department does have a Musical Theater Workshop as well. When the production is appropriate, our graduate voice students also participate in those productions.
Does your keyboard program include Pedagogy or Accompanying (Collaborative piano)? While we don’t offer either as a specialization on its own, we do offer a course in pedagogy intended for DMA students. We have an active program of chamber music as well as many opportunities for accompanying. Coaching and guidance in the honing of collaborative skills is available from a variety of sources.
Do you offer distance learning, i.e. courses through the internet? No, we do not. The individual interaction of faculty and students that comes from classroom and one-on-one instruction is too valuable.
Can I get my degree by going part-time or on non-degree status? Our programs are selective and we limit the number of people admitted. Therefore, we require full-time status and are open only to those selected by our application process.
Can I take courses outside the department? This is generally between you and your faculty advisor. If time allows, it is fine.
If I’m in composition, can I take instrumental lessons? We are unable to provide individual instrument instruction for graduate composition students.
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ELIGIBILITY
Do I have to have a degree in music to be eligible? No, you do not. However, you need to have the necessary background in music to pursue graduate study. Composition requires proficiency in harmony, counterpoint, melodic and harmonic dictation and music history and analysis. This is tested with the Assessment Examination. Performance requires a firm foundation in music theory and musicianship skills as well as a thorough understanding of music history and the development of form and style.
I have not taken music theory or analysis, what should I do? We would strongly recommend that you go to a local state college or university and get the necessary music major background so that you can apply in a year or two. We do not require that you complete a BA in music, only that you have the background necessary for graduate study.
Can I be accepted provisionally and take the necessary undergraduate preparation at UCLA? We do not accept students who are not qualified to be at the graduate level in music. We strongly suggest that you find a local state college or university that will allow you to take the necessary coursework and then apply later.
Can I transfer a year of courses from another school toward my master’s? UCLA has a limit of 2 courses (8 quarter or 5 semester units) transferable from another school, subject to petition and the approval of your advisor and department. The limit is a little higher for courses from another UC school.
What if my degree is from another country? Bachelor’s degrees from many countries are accepted at UCLA.
Please visit the Graduate Division website for international requirements. For additional information,
write to the department to check on a specific degree from a school in a specific country. (Please do not translate the degree when writing.) Go to Contact Us.
Do you accept a conservatory diploma or an Artist’s Diploma? If music is not normally offered at Universities in your country, we could accept a diploma for application consideration. Since an Artist’s Diploma does not have the same breadth of study required of a conservatory diploma, we do not normally accept Artist's Diplomas. A conservatory diploma from a school that also offers a bachelor’s degree is not accepted.
How do I find out if my school is accredited? Look at your school’s main web site. There should be a Registrar’s Office or accreditation page. If you can’t find it, ask your Registrar’s Office. We will not accept a degree from a non-accredited institution.
What Grade Point Average is required? The University and the Department require a B (3.0) minimum overall GPA.
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APPLICATION PROCESS
Do you accept applications for Spring or Summer? No, we only accept applications for Fall quarter.
Can I get a “Letter of Invitation” or a commitment that I will be a student before my application is complete? No. UCLA will not give any kind of guarantee of acceptance before the fact. To be accepted you must go through the application process and be accepted into a specific degree program. You will then get a letter from the Graduate Division.
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APPLICATION MATERIALS
What GRE score do you require? We do not use the GRE.
Do my letters of recommendation need to be on the graduate division form? While the form is not required, we do prefer it. If you are waiving your right of access, we need that form, or a similar statement, to tell us how to treat the letter. If there is no form or statement, we can only assume that you have not waived your right of access. Go to Supplemental Materials.
Can I send in the letters of recommendation? Have the recommender give it to you in a sealed envelope, signed across the flap, and then forward it unopened to us.
Should I put my sample work in a presentation binder? Please do not. The most useful form for compositions or a research paper is a simple spiral binding or pages held together with a binder clip. Everything else in your application should be unbound or clipped together.
Because I want to apply to your composition for visual media specialization, I was wondering
if there are any required supplemental materials, such as my scoring for a film, unlike classical composition? The important criterion for composers in our visual media specialization is to compose well, whether for film or concert. Therefore, the application requirements are essentially the same as for those aspiring to the regular composition program. As an optional offering, those interested in composition for visual media might submit a CD and score of one or more film cues, with or without DVD. The application process should not be about the film, but about the music.
Do you want all the materials at one time? We prefer to receive all materials at once, though this is not required.
Can I audition by CD or video tape? We will accept a recorded audition from an applicant to the MM degree. However, please bear in mind that you can always present yourself better live than in a recording. For the DMA, we require that you audition in person. To request an exception to this, we require that you make your request to the Graduate Advisor at least one month before the audition date.
I’m applying for performance: can I send my audition CD now or do I need to wait until later? If you are unable to come for the audition, please send your CD or video after November 1. Please label it clearly with your name, instrument and degree and include a typed program. The recording must be unedited and cannot be enhanced in any way. Pre-screening CDs can be sent any time after November 1.
How do I address the packet? Use the following address:
Graduate Admissions, UCLA Department of Music, 2539 Schoenberg Music Building, Box 951616, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1616
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INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
What level of English proficiency is required? As part of the application process, either a TOEFL score of 560 (paper-based test) or 220 (computer-based test) or a IELTS score of 7.0 is required. For the internet-based TOEFL (TOEFL iBT), the minimum total passing score is 87. If you are admitted and come to UCLA, you will be required to take the English as a Second Language Placement Exam (ESLPE).
I am an international student but my degree is from a U.S. school. Do I still have to take the TOEFL? If your degree involved at least 2 years of study at the U.S. school, you do not need to take the TOEFL. Please read the application information carefully for any and all exceptions to the English requirement. Are admissions standards different for international students? No, the only difference will be in requirements of English proficiency and items related to the visa. Can International students get Financial Aid? International students are eligible for most forms of merit-based support. However, they are not eligible to apply for need-based Financial Aid. TOP
RESIDENCY
How long does it take to become a resident for tuition purposes? Since residency is a legal question, we refer you to the Registrar’s Office web site for information on this issue. There is an extensive FAQ at www.registrar.ucla.edu/faq.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
What kinds of financial support are available? There are a variety of sources for financial support. For the departmental information, go to the Financial Support page; for Graduate Division information, go to http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu/asis/entsup/finsup.htm Do all your students get support? or at least all your doctoral students? We wish we could provide support for everyone. Typically, the most outstanding students in each entering class are offered some kind of support. After that, further support depends on your work in the field and the needs of the department. We encourage all eligible students to apply for need-based Financial Aid. Can I work full-time while in school? We strongly discourage working full-time. Graduate Study is a full-time job. Do you offer tuition waivers? At UCLA, tuition and/or fees are never truly “waived”: these fees must still be paid, be it from the department, applicant, or outside source. How many applicants do you usually have? How many get accepted? The number of applications accepted varies greatly, based on departmental need in particular instrument or program areas. For composition, we generally receive about 50 applications and accept 15 students. For performance, we generally receive about 150 applications and accept between 20-30 students. How many students are there in each instrument? The numbers vary. However, we are a small department and are very selective. Can I come for a tour? The UCLA Visitor’s Center offers tours. We would be happy to talk with you about our programs and you are free to walk around the building. However, we don’t have the staff to offer a formal tour. We do ask that you make an appointment before coming in. Click here to contact us. Can you send me a hard copy of the application? The application for admission exists only online at www.gradadmissions.ucla.edu .
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