Admissions and Degree Requirements

The following information (and explanatory text) summarizes the graduate program requirements in Musicology at UCLA. Please email the Student Affairs Officer, Barbara Van Nostrand , if you have any questions.

Official Graduate Division departmental requirements

Official Musicology Department Graduate Student Guide (PDF)

Admission

The department admits only students whose degree objective is the Ph.D. However, an M.A. degree may be earned while completing requirements for the Ph.D. We do consider applicants whose undergraduate degrees are in fields other than Music History. Applicants who already have a masters degree must have completed their M.A. degree (or the equivalent) in Music. The degree normally is in Musicology or Music History. Otherwise additional coursework, as prescribed by the department, must be completed.

Admission Timetable

• December 1 — Application (including supplementary application materials) for admission/fellowship is due.
  

Applicants for the Ph.D. are required to:

1. Submit a letter describing their background of study and stating reasons for wishing to pursue graduate studies in musicology,
2. Submit three letters of recommendation from former instructors and/or professionals with whom they have worked,
3. Submit two official transcripts from each college attended, and
4. Submit two to three writing samples that demonstrate sound scholarship, intellectual vigor, and the ability to analyze musical and cultural complexities. Applicants should submit their M.A. thesis, if possible.

No application can be considered until all of the above materials have been received.

Note: GRE General Test scores are recommended (but are not required) as part of your application.

Master's Degree

Students are required to complete a minimum of nine courses at the 200 level, including specific requirements in musicology. The M.A. degree is offered through the comprehensive examination plan.

There is a language requirement for this degree.

Doctoral Degree

The department offers the Ph.D. degree in the field of historical musicology. Degrees in composition, performance, and ethnomusicology and systematic musicology are offered through other departments. In addition to the M.A. course requirements, students are required to take a minimum of six courses at the 200 level, up to two of which may be from outside of the department. Students whose M.A. is not from UCLA must take the required introductory seminars in musicology and complete a minimum of eight additional courses at the 200 level. After completion of the Ph.D. coursework students take the special field examination, which includes both written and oral components. Following successful completion of that examination, students take the University Oral Qualifying Examination, which is a defense of the dissertation prospectus.

There is a language requirement for this degree.