Graduate Program

Master of Fine Arts degree (M.F.A.)

The MFA in Music is intended to prepare students to enter the field as professional composers or performers. Candidates must demonstrate technical proficiency and advanced competence as composers or performers, a substantial knowledge of the relevant music literature, and a command of those aspects of music theory and music history that support and illuminate informed performance.

Applications for admission to graduate study at UCI should be submitted on-line by January 15.

For an on-line application, click here.

All applicants must arrange for an on-campus audition and/or interview. These should be scheduled as soon as possible with the Director of Graduate Studies and must be completed by February 1. All required supporting materials, such as writing samples, musical scores and recordings, and standardized test scores, must be received by February 1. Late submissions cannot be considered. These materials should be sent to:

Graduate Admissions
Department of Music
Claire Trevor School of the Arts
University of California, Irvine
303 Music & Media Bldg.
Irvine, CA 92697-2775

In addition to meeting certain general degree requirements, each student follows a specialized curriculum in one of eight program emphases:

• Choral Conducting
• Collaborative Piano
• Guitar/Lute Performance
• Instrumental Performance
• Piano Performance
• Vocal Arts
• Integrated Composition, Improvisation and Technology (ICIT)

Details on the current curriculum may be found in the UCI Catalogue.

More information for graduate students:

• Graduate Students Website
• Graduate Student Housing