Welcome to the School of Music!
We offer the Master of Music (MM) and PhD graduate programs in Music and Music Education. Admission is determined by an audition or portfolio (which may include research & writing samples, teaching examples or compositions), a personal statement, letters of recommendations and academic credentials, including an official score on the *Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and an upper division undergraduate GPA.
* Applicants who have earned a U.S. bachelor's degree DO NOT need to take the GRE exam when applying to the master's degree programs in
performance, conducting, or music education. The GRE exam is also NOT A REQUIREMENT for PhD applicants who have earned a U.S. master's degree in Music. Applicants who earned undergraduate degrees at non-U.S. institutions are required to submit official GRE scores for admission consideration,
regardless of your intended program.
Prospective students are urged to apply for admission as early as possible, but no sooner than a year before the term you plan to enroll, and to utilize the on-line application. We strive to maintain diversity in our students, click Graduate Diversity for more information.
Admission Application Deadlines:
FALL semester:
· January 10 – master’s & doctoral programs in Music (Musicology, Ethnomusicology, or Composition) and Music Education (including Conducting with Instrumental/Band emphasis)
· February 1 – master’s in performance (instrumental or vocal), choral conducting, sacred music, or orchestral conducting
We accept applications for the spring and summer semesters, though funding in the form of graduate assistantships or fellowships is typically available ONLY at fall admission.
SPRING semester - November 1 – all graduate degree programs (international students must apply before September 1 in order to secure student visa)
SUMMER semester - April 1 – all graduate degree programs (international students must apply before February 1 in order to secure student visa)
SUMMER MASTER of MUSIC EDUCATION DEGREE for PRACTICING TEACHERS – March 1
Admission is a 2-step process that requires applicants to submit information to two different locations at the University of Florida: the Office of Graduate Admissions determines eligibility and status for admission to the university, and the School of Music determines qualifications for admission to the school's graduate degree programs.
International applicants, please see additional instructions in
Step 3 below.
Step-by-Step Admission Procedures (click here for a one page MS Word admission checklist that you may print and use to organize your application materials. It is not required, but may be submitted with your application).
Step 1: For Graduate Admissions
• Complete the online application and pay the $30 application fee with your credit card. (please note that composition, music history & literature, and ethnomusicology are specializations within the music-academic degree program. After you select music-academic from the drop-down menu, you may write in the name of the specialization).
The online application includes a section for you to write a statement of purpose to express your interest in pursuing our graduate program and provides the opportunity for you to highlight special talents and skills that you will bring to the program. We recommend you prepare this text, review, and then cut and paste into the online application. The online application has been enhanced to allow you to electronically request letters of recommendation that will become part of the application. More information and directions are provided as you complete the online application. If you cannot use the online system, you may print the letter of recommendation form and mail it to your recommender. Please include a pre-addressed reply envelope with your requests for letters of recommendation or advise your recommenders to send letters to the School of Music (address below in step 2).
• Request TWO (2) OFFICIAL transcripts from all institutions attended. One (1) copy from each institution is required at the University of Florida Graduate Admissions office (the other copy is sent to the School of Music.
Office of Admissions
S201 Criser Hall
P.O. Box 114000
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611-4000
The other copy will be submitted to the School of Music (see Step 2)
• Request official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, if required. The University of Florida institution code is R5812; the department code for Music is 2404.
The University of Florida requires the General Test of the GRE for admission. Test scores are considered in conjunction with your overall application. If you earned your bachelor’s degree from a U.S. Institution, the GRE is NOT required for students applying to the MM programs in
performance, conducting, or music education. The GRE is also NOT required for students who have earned a master’s degree in music from a U.S. Institution and are applying to the Ph.D. program.
Applicants who do not have the ability to apply on-line, may either print the HTML application or request that a printed application and forms to be mailed to you by sending an email request to:
Leslie Odom at lodom@arts.ufl.edu.
Return this application and a check for the required $30 application fee, made payable to the University of Florida, to:
Office of Admissions
S201 Criser Hall
P.O. Box 2946
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32602-2946
Step 2: For School of Music Admissions
Send to:
Graduate Admissions & Academic Programs
College of Fine Arts
P.O. Box 115800
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611-5800 USA
(352) 273-3172
Fax: (352) 392-3802
• Email gradadmissions@arts.ufl.edu and let us know you have applied on-line. We will access your on-line application so you do NOT need to send another copy. (If you submitted a paper application, please SEND a copy to the School of Music)
• Submit one (1) official transcript from each institution attended. The one (1) submitted to Graduate Admissions will NOT be forwarded to the school. Faculty review your music coursework as they make admission decisions, so this second transcript is required in the School of Music for a timely review of your application.
• If interested in employment and funding, submit an application to be considered for a graduate assistantship or fellowship.
• Include a brief letter outlining your interest in, and qualification for, one of the available assistantships. You do NOT need to solicit an additional three letters of recommendation to be considered for this funding.
• Confirm that official GRE scores, if required, were submitted to the University of Florida.
• Auditions are required for performance and conducting majors. Review the audition requirements and arrange for an audition by either attending a pre-scheduled audition, or by contacting the appropriate studio professor or graduate coordinator. You may also send a high-quality cassette tape, CD, or VCR tape. If you would like to visit with your major professor, please be sure to contact that person and make individual arrangements. Faculty may be traveling if you come unscheduled and we would like it to be a beneficial visit for you.
• For academic area degree programs (composition, *education, history, theory, and sacred music) submit a portfolio providing sample writing and/or compositions, as well as evidence of involvement in the field of the chosen discipline. For applicants to the Ph.D. program in composition, submit a portfolio with scores and recordings, samples of scholarly writing, GRE scores, and evidence of involvement in the field.
*Practicing teachers applying for the summer Master of Music program in Music Education may complete a telephone interview, in lieu of a portfolio. Contact Dr. Brophy at tbrophy@arts.ufl.edu to arrange your interview.
• Résumé
Resources located at the end of this page may answer questions you have about the University of Florida. We have also created an organized FAQ sheet that should answer any questions you have regarding admissions.
Step 3: (international students only)
For more specific questions regarding the programs offered, courses, etc. please contact the Graduate Coordinator:
Dr. Leslie Odom
Coordinator of Graduate Studies and Doctoral Advisor
School of Music
University of Florida
P.O. Box 117900
Gainesville, FL 32611-7900
Email: lodom@arts.ufl.edu
Other Helpful Links
The University of Florida and Gainesville: This link will provide you with information about the university and the beautiful city of Gainesville.
Graduate School
280 Grinter Hall
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611
352-392-4646
Cost of Living at UF
Living in Gainesville
Services at UF
Graduate Records Exam Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6000
Princeton, NJ 08541-6000
609-771-7670; 1-800-GRE-CALL
TOEFL / TSE Services
P.O. Box 6151
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151
215-750-8050; 1-800-GO TOEFL
UF Graduate Catalog
201 Criser Hall
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611
352-392-1365
International Student Advisement/Services
International Student Organizations
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611
352-392-1345
