Composition & Experimental Sound Practices (MFA)

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Advanced Certificate of Fine Arts

Applicants to the Music MFA program will be required to have attained a BM, BFA, BA or equivalent in music before admittance, or to have a Bachelor's degree in an alternate subject along with skills and knowledge that are appropriate to enter a Master's degree program in a music-related field.

A minimum of 4.0 semesters of enrollment are required for the Master of Fine Arts and Advanced Certificate of Fine Arts. Some individualized specializations may require additional semesters of enrollment.

All MFA degree candidates must complete a minimum of 60 units.

Students must attend and have both mid-residence and graduation reviews officially documented. During these reviews, the student's course history is examined, progress is assessed, problems are discussed and changes to the curriculum are considered. Mentors and deans must officially approve any changes to the student's curriculum requirements.

Learning Goals

By the time they graduate, students will have had opportunity to:

• develop a forward-looking approach to music-making that embraces openness, experimentation, and critical engagement while recognizing precedent and tradition.

• realize and document distinctive musical projects reflecting their own artistic interests.

• offer and receive constructive critique regarding their musical work and thinking from both senior practitioners and peers.

• perform within ensemble contexts and gain experience with the particular demands and rewards of performing with other musicians.

• discover collaborative possibilities through engagement with other artistic métiers.

• produce and present professional-quality documentation of their artistic work in appropriate media.

MFA Placement Examinations

All entering MFA and Advanced Certificate of Fine Arts students in Music are required to take CalArts’ Music Theory and Musicianship Skills Placement Exams.

For MFA and Advanced Certificate students, placement exam results may indicate either that a student's prior training and current skill levels are already appropriate for graduate study or that supplemental courses will be required in addition to the normal graduate curriculum.

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Advanced Certificate of Fine Arts Specialization Requirements

Composition & Experimental Sound Practices (MFA)

MLSN601 Composition Hour Lesson as assigned (4 classes)

MFOR501/508 Graduate Composers' or ESP Forum (4 classes in total)

Composition courses with the prefix MCMP totaling at least 6 units

Courses in music technology, theory, history, pedagogy, performance or world music (non-MCMP music courses, at least 10 units)

Courses outside the School of Music (2 classes, not taught by music faculty)

MBLExxx World Music Ensemble (in MFA1)

Winter Session (2 units of coursework taken in January)

MCMP690 Graduation Portfolio Review

Electives (to fulfill 60-unit degree requirement)