Music (M.A., D.M.A., Ph.D.)
Degrees
The Music program offers a Master of Arts degree, a Doctor of Musical Arts degree, and a Doctoral degree.
Important: Transcripts and letters of recommendation are required of all applicants.
See the test score requirements for this program.
Below are specific requirements also needed for this program:
Application materials vary depending on the degree track. M.A. | D.M.A. | Ph.D.
Music M.A. Application Requirements
A statement of purpose is required.
- Please describe your plans for graduate study or research and for your future occupation or profession. Include any information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and qualifications for graduate study at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Recommended length is a concise 2-4 pages.
A personal history statement is required:
- This statement will be used in conjunction with your application for graduate admission and financial support. Note that the personal history statement should not duplicate the statement of purpose. Recommended length is a concise 1-3 pages.
- UC Santa Cruz is interested in a diverse and inclusive graduate student population. In an essay, discuss how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Include any educational, familial, cultural, economic, or social experiences, challenges, or opportunities relevant to your academic journey; how you might contribute to social or cultural diversity within your chosen field; and/or how you might serve educationally underrepresented segments of society with your degree.
Composition scores are required (composition emphasis only).
Recordings are required (composition or performance practice emphasis only).
A writing sample is required (e.g., term paper or senior thesis).
A résumé is required.
Music D.M.A. Application Requirements
A statement of purpose is required.
- Please explain your compositional interests and include materials (compositions, essays) that reflect and discuss the compositional ideas, cultures, and/or techniques that are important to your work. If you are interested in computer-assisted composition, please explain your interest and include either an example of a computer program you have written (a source code for the program plus documentation describing its use) or other evidence of technical competence with computers.
- Please include your name in the footer of each page of your statement of purpose.
A personal history statement is required:
- This statement will be used in conjunction with your application for graduate admission and financial support. Note that the personal history statement should not duplicate the statement of purpose. Recommended length is a concise 1-3 pages.
- UC Santa Cruz is interested in a diverse and inclusive graduate student population. In an essay, discuss how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Include any educational, familial, cultural, economic, or social experiences, challenges, or opportunities relevant to your academic journey; how you might contribute to social or cultural diversity within your chosen field; and/or how you might serve educationally underrepresented segments of society with your degree.
Composition scores are required.
Composition recordings are required.
A writing sample is required (e.g., term paper or senior thesis).
A résumé is required.
Music Ph.D. Application Requirements
A statement of purpose is required.
- Please describe your plans for graduate study or research and for your future occupation or profession. Include any information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and qualifications for graduate study at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Recommended length is a concise 2-4 pages.
A personal history statement is required:
- This statement will be used in conjunction with your application for graduate admission and financial support. Note that the personal history statement should not duplicate the statement of purpose. Recommended length is a concise 1-3 pages.
- UC Santa Cruz is interested in a diverse and inclusive graduate student population. In an essay, discuss how your personal background informs your decision to pursue a graduate degree. Include any educational, familial, cultural, economic, or social experiences, challenges, or opportunities relevant to your academic journey; how you might contribute to social or cultural diversity within your chosen field; and/or how you might serve educationally underrepresented segments of society with your degree.
A writing sample is required (e.g., term paper, senior thesis, or other class paper):
- Applicants with a Master’s degree should submit a sample of substantial length, such as an excerpt from a master’s thesis or a set of class research papers.
- You may provide links to optional material(s) demonstrating musical skills (e.g., compositions, recordings or video of a performance or lecture-recital) in the space below. Digital copies of materials are strongly preferred. Hard copies on CD, DVD, etc., should be submitted to the following address (submitted application materials will not be returned):
Graduate Program Coordinator
Music Department
UCSC
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
USA
A résumé is required.
View all application deadlines
Contact information for UCSC Graduate Programs