Description

The graduate specialization in ethnomusicology provides students with a broad knowledge of the world's musics, performance in certain world musical idioms, theories and schools of thought in ethnomusicology, bibliography and field-research methods, and musical analysis. The specialization offers the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in ethnomusicology. Though the M.A. degree is offered, students with the desire and ability to attain the Ph.D. are sought. On both the Master's and Ph.D. levels, students choose one of the world's musics as an area of specialization, and perform fieldwork that leads to the writing of master's paper or dissertation, respectively. Students at the master's level are required to pass a reading examination in one foreign language. Ph.D. candidates must pass an examination in two languages. (Click on Systematic Musicology, Graduate for a description of that specialization).

M.A. Degree Requirements

The M.A. degree requires a common core of four courses: History of Ethnomusicology (201), Current Issues in Ethnomusicology (202), Transcription and Analysis (282), and Field and Laboratory Methods (281A). Eight additional courses, for a total of twelve courses, are required for the M.A. Students who have not already taken area studies courses in world music at the undergraduate level are also expected to make up this deficiency by taking for credit the year-long series, Musical Cultures of the World (20A-B-C) if students have not taken a year of similar surveys or area studies courses at the undergraduate level; World Music Theory and Musicianship (10A-B-C) if students have inadequate training in music theory; and introductory courses in the social sciences if these are absent from the student's undergraduate record. One two-unit performance ensemble course is also required for each quarter in residence. Students at the master's level are required to pass a reading examination in one foreign language, appropriate to the student's area of interest and approved by the department. Students whose first language is not English may petition to use their native language.

To complete the requirements for the M.A. in ethnomusicology, students take an examination in two parts: a paper of a length, form, and originality suitable for submission to an academic journal; and an oral examination on the paper and on theory and method in ethnomusicology. Students are expected to complete all requirements for the M.A. degree in two years. For the complete and official set of requirements for the M.A., see Program Requirements for UCLA Graduate Degrees at the Graduate Division website.

Ph.D. Degree Requirements

Only students with an M.A. degree in ethnomusicology, or a cognate field with a significant emphasis in ethnomusicology, are admitted to the Ph.D. program, which requires six elective courses beyond those required for the M.A. at UCLA. Students from other universities missing any of the M.A. core seminars are also asked to take those as deficiencies in addition to the six required courses. Students also are required to participate in at least three terms of ethnomusicology performance ensembles.

Ph.D. students are eligible to take their written qualifying examinations following completion of all course work and a second foreign language requiring faculty approval. The four written qualifying exams cover: (1) general ethnomusicological history, theory, and methods; (2) world music; (3) a topic or music area selected by the student; and (4) a second topic or music area selected by the student. When the written qualifying examinations have been passed and the dissertation proposal has been successfully defended in an oral examination, the student will be advanced to candidacy. It is expected that all the above requirements will be completed within two years of entering the Ph.D. program, that is, after completing the M.A. degree.

Almost without exception, students in ethnomusicology are required to complete at least one year of fieldwork for the Ph.D. dissertation. It is expected that fieldwork and the writing of the dissertation will be completed within three years of advancement to candidacy. For the complete and official set of requirements for the Ph.D. see Program Requirements for UCLA Graduate Degrees at the Graduate Division website.

Admissions

See Graduate Admissions Critical Information for details concerning the process of admission to the ethnomusicology graduate program.

Admissions decisions for the Department of Ethnomusicology are made by the faculty as a whole. Applicants submit an autobiographical/purpose statement, a research or term paper on an appropriate topic, three letters of recommendation, and transcripts.

A bachelor's degree in music will satisfy the musical background requirement. Students from other fields may present other forms of evidence to satisfy the faculty that they have sufficient background in music theory and musicianship to work successfully at the graduate level.

Applicants admitted to the graduate program will be officially entering the Ph.D. program, with the prospect of completing a doctoral degree in ethnomusicology. However, the Ph.D. requires successful fulfillment of the requirements for the M.A. degree (including the M.A. courses and M.A. exams). This applies to those who do not already have the M.A. and those who, for curricular reasons, may be required by the Department to complete these requirements. However, students who choose to leave the program after the successful completion of the M.A. will still earn a master's degree in ethnomusicology. Similarly, students who are not accepted to pursue the Ph.D. degree, but who have successfully completed the M.A. requirements, will be granted a terminal M.A. degree.

In evaluating students for admission, the faculty look carefully at the previous academic record, the statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and the student's original work, which should demonstrate a critical and creative mind, an ability to write clearly, and knowledge of basic library research and bibliographic procedures.

The statement of purpose must be written by the applicant himself or herself for the purpose of giving the department relevant information on the applicant's background, qualifications, interests, and reasons for undertaking graduate study in this field. Although the content of the statement is flexible, it would be helpful for the Department to learn about: 1) the applicant's life and educational experiences; 2) musical skills and musical experiences in general, as well as exposure to world musical traditions; 3) intellectual growth and scholarly interests and concerns; 4) contacts with the field of ethnomusicology, familiarity with the discipline and prior experiences with research in this or related areas; and 5) reasons for desiring to study ethnomusicology at UCLA. If possible, applicants should include the issues, interests, and areas of study they hope to pursue if admitted to the program. The statement is expected to be informative genuine, and clearly written.

The three letters of recommendation should be written by those who have known the applicant well, have observed his/her recent work and achievements, and are able to speak of his/her intellectual and research ability, promise, and potential as a student.

The required sample work, or works, will enable the faculty to assess the applicant's research abilities. The material is expected to show originality and creative conceptual thinking, competence in dealing with technical musical issues, writing ability and good communication, and proper documentation.

The application for admission, which is only online, is available beginning in September for Fall of the following year at the Graduate Division website: https://www.gradadmissions.ucla.edu/newapp. New students are admitted only in the fall.

All U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for need-based financial assistance. All applicants may apply for merit-based financial assistance. Failure to meet any deadline may result in a delay in action or no action on an application for admission or for a fellowship or assistantship. Late applications are reviewed only if space is available in the program. Applicants on a waiting list for admission are notified as soon as a decision can be reached.

For further information on other requirements as well as general information on the UCLA Graduate Program in Ethnomusicology, the applicant should refer to Program Requirements for UCLA Graduate Degrees available online at the Graduate Division website: www.gdnet.ucla.edu.

The applicant may also contact the Department of Ethnomusicology Graduate Advisor, Sandra McKerroll at (310) 825-4769 or sandram@arts.ucla.edu.

Fees and Financial Assistance

For information on current fees, go to UCLA Graduate Student Fee Information.

A small number of one-year fellowships are available to entering Ph.D. students. These typically cover fees, nonresident tuition (if applicable), and a stipend for living expenses. In the second year and until advancement to candidacy, all students judged by the faculty to be making good to excellent progress in the program receive financial support either from the department or other campus entities. Department support usually takes the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or research fellowships that provide for fees and a salary (and fellowships to cover nonresident tuition, if applicable).

Financial support for fieldwork after advancement to candidacy is normally up to the student and secured through grants from university and external agencies. When the student and his/her advisor are reasonably certain that the dissertation is within one year of completion, the student may apply for a dissertation-year fellowship from the UCLA Graduate Division. Our students have been notably successful in receiving this type of support.

Housing

MyHousing provides general information about on-campus and University-owned housing (go to http://my.housing.ucla.edu).

The UCLA Community Housing Office provides information about off-campus housing to UCLA students, faculty and staff. Their online listing, updated daily, includes rooms in private homes, roommate situations, private residence homes, apartments, houses, and guest houses.

The website Finding a Place to Live provides additional advice to members of the UCLA community in search of housing.