Admission to the Department of Music at UCSB is determined by the examination of a number of factors, but is based on intellectual potential and promise, academic records, and programmatic fit. Above all, selection to the graduate program is an academic decision involving factors beyond scores and grades and is made exclusively by the faculty of the graduate program and the department.
In addition to departmental requirements, candidates for graduate degrees must fulfill the university degree requirements found in the “Graduate Education” section of this catalog. Graduate students in music are required to take at least 12 units per quarter. A minimum residency of six quarters, including composition, dissertation, or thesis, is mandatory. Units of Music 501, 502, 597, 598, and 599 do not count toward fulfillment of university requirements for the M.A., M.M., Ph.D., or D.M.A. degrees.
In addition to the requisite coursework, all sections of the placement guidance exams, taken upon entrance, must be passed or satisfied by taking approved coursework before advancement to candidacy. Demonstrated reading knowledge of the designated foreign language(s) is required by examination(s). The department requires that all graduate students meet each quarter, prior to final registration, with the designated faculty advisor in their area, and at the beginning of their last year of coursework with the department’s graduate advisor.
Master of Arts—Music
Admission
Applicants will normally be expected to have a bachelor of arts in music or a bachelor of music degree. In addition to departmental requirements for admission, applicants must fulfill university requirements for admission to graduate status described in the “Graduate Education” section of this catalog.
Master of Arts—Music—Composition Emphasis (Requirements—PDF)
Master of Arts—Music—Ethnomusicology Emphasis (Requirements—PDF)
Master of Arts—Music—Musicology Emphasis—Plan 1 (Thesis) (Requirements—PDF)
Master of Arts—Music—Musicology Emphasis—Plan 2 (Comprehensive Examination) (Requirements—PDF)
Master of Arts—Music—Theory Emphasis—Plan 1 (Thesis) (Requirements—PDF)
Master of Arts—Music—Theory Emphasis—Plan 2 (Comprehensive Examination) (Requirements—PDF)
Master of Music
The master of music degree provides preparation for professional performers in the areas offered. The degree will be awarded to candidates who demonstrate technical proficiency and advanced competence as performers, a substantial knowledge of the solo and chamber music literature in the field of their specialization, and a ready command of those aspects of music theory and music history that support and illuminate informed performance.
Admission
Applicants must hold a bachelor of music or a bachelor of arts in music, or equivalent education and training. An audition is required. Applicants will provide a repertory list and programs of concerts performed. In addition to departmental requirements for admission, applicants must fulfill university requirements for admission to graduate status described in the “Graduate Education” section of this catalog.
Master of Music—Plan 2 (Project) (Requirements—PDF)
Master of Music—Plan 2 (Comprehensive Examination) (Requirements—PDF)
Doctor of Philosophy—Music
Admission
The department requires completion of a Master of Arts degree in music from UCSB or a degree based on equivalent training. Students with a master of arts from another institution will take at least two additional years of graduate coursework for the doctor of philosophy. In addition to departmental requirements for admission, applicants must fulfill university requirements for admission to graduate status described in the “Graduate Education” section of this catalog.
Doctor of Philosophy—Music—Composition Emphasis (Continuing MA/PhD Students) (Requirements—PDF)
Doctor of Philosophy—Music—Composition Emphasis (PhD Only) (Requirements—PDF)
Doctor of Philosophy—Music—Ethnomusicology Emphasis (Continuing MA/PhD Students) (Requirements—PDF)
Doctor of Philosophy—Music—Ethnomusicology Emphasis (PhD Only) (Requirements—PDF)
Doctor of Philosophy—Music—Musicology Emphasis (Continuing MA/PhD Students) (Requirements—PDF)
Doctor of Philosophy—Music—Musicology Emphasis (PhD Only) (Requirements—PDF)
Doctor of Philosophy—Music—Theory (Continuing MA/PhD Students) (Requirements—PDF)
Doctor of Philosophy—Music—Theory (PhD Only) (Requirements—PDF)
Doctor of Musical Arts
The doctor of musical arts degree provides a thorough preparation for the professional performer and the artist-teacher in the areas offered. Candidates for the degree will demonstrate the following: an exceptional degree of technical proficiency and thoroughly professional competence as performers; a thorough and deep command of the solo and chamber music literature in their specialties; a thorough knowledge of the relevant literature in music theory and music history and the kind of thoughtful musicianship that results from disciplined and careful study of music theory, music history, and musical styles.
Admission
Applicants must have completed a master of music degree or its equivalent. A live audition is required, comparable in scope to a full recital demonstrating the applicant’s command of several musical styles. Applicants will submit a repertory list and programs and reviews of concerts performed. In addition to departmental requirements for admission, applicants must fulfill university requirements for admission to graduate status described in the “Graduate Education” section of this catalog.
Doctor of Musical Arts (Continuing MM/DMA Students) (Requirements—PDF)
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA Only) (Requirements—PDF)
Optional Interdisciplinary Emphases
Students pursuing a doctoral degree in Music may petition to add the following Optional Interdisciplinary
Ph.D. Emphases: Cognitive Science (excluding D.M.A.), European Medieval Studies, Feminist Studies, Global Studies for the PhD – Ethnomusicology.
Requirement sheets for each emphasis may be found on this page.