Department of Music

Grad FAQs

General Questions

  • You will register through the UCR enrollment system (Banner). In your first quarter/year, you will primarily take core seminars and should consult with the Director of Graduate Studies before enrolling.

  • Graduate students need to enroll in 12 units per quarter to maintain full-time status. Only full-time students are eligible to TA at UCR. You should consult with your advisor to balance coursework, research, and teaching responsibilities.

  • All graduate students progress through three main stages:

    • Coursework 
    • Exams (Comprehensive or Qualifying) 
    • Dissertation research, writing, and final defense

  • You should begin identifying a faculty advisor by the end of your first year. Your advisor will guide your coursework, exams, and ultimately your dissertation.

  • Yes. The Florence Bayz Series (weekly colloquium/concert) is a required part of the program and an important opportunity to engage with the department’s community.

  • Students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate consistent progress. Unsatisfactory progress may affect eligibility for funding, including TAships and fellowships.

Funding & Support

  • Yes. Graduate students may apply for:

    • Summer teaching positions 
    • Gluck Fellowships 
    • Dissertation Completion Fellowships 
    • Travel and research grants 

  • Yes, for financial needs beyond your 4th year. Some students continue to find TAships outside of the department through the “CHASS Portal.” In addition, you can continue applying for summer teaching positions, Gluck Fellowships, Dissertation Completion Fellowships, and travel and research grants. 

Teaching & Responsibilities

  • A standard TAship is a 50% appointment, typically requiring up to 20 hours per week, including lecture attendance, section teaching, grading, preparation, and office hours.

  • Yes. First-time TAs must complete UCR’s Teaching Assistant Development Program (TADP), including required orientation and training. 

  • Teaching Assistantships are a core part of your funding package (tuition remission, TA salary and benefits) and are considered essential for professional training. 

Digital Composition

Ethnomusicology

  • Students complete a comprehensive exam, including:

    • A CV 
    • A portfolio of coursework
    • A revised seminar paper suitable for publication 
    • A one-hour oral exam 

  • The qualifying exam consists of three parts:

    • Written exams (typically three essays) 
    • A dissertation prospectus (approximately 25–30 pages) 
    • An oral exam 

  • Yes. Ethnomusicology students typically conduct extended fieldwork as part of their dissertation research, which may extend time to degree.

Musicology

  • Students take an advisory exam in music history, theory, and analysis to assess preparation and identify any areas needing improvement. 

  • The MA includes:

    Students complete a comprehensive exam, including:

    • A CV 
    • A portfolio of coursework 
    • A written exam in music history and theory 
    • A revised seminar paper suitable for publication 

  • The qualifying exam includes:

    • Written exam questions on various topics
    • A dissertation prospectus 
    • An oral exam 

  • Yes. Students are expected to complete required language exams by the end of their second year in the program to support research and dissertation work.

Additional Questions