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.

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.

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree and Advanced Certificate of Fine Arts programs require a minimum of 4.0 semesters of enrollment. MFA degree and Advanced Certificate programs require at least 2.0 semesters of full-time residence at CalArts. For all programs, the final 1.0 semester of course enrollment before graduation must be in residence at CalArts, although this requirement may be satisfied by completing consecutive semesters of part-time enrollment at CalArts that total 1.0 semester of residence and culminate in graduation.

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

Also see CalArts’ Institute Degree and Certificate 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

InstrumentalArts Winds (MFA) - Oboe

• MLSN601 Hour Lesson as assigned (4 classes)

• MBLE623 Woodwind Workshop (2 classes)

• MPRF522/524/530/531 Studio Class as appropriate to major (4 classes)

• MBLExxx World Music Ensemble (in MFA1)

• MHST500+ Advanced Music History and Literature (2 classes)

• MTHY600+ Advanced Theory/Analysis (2 classes)

• Studies in Extended Techniques, Improvisation, and/or Interpretation. TWO classes chosen from:

  • MBLE610 Improvisation Ensemble

  • MBLE617 Jazz Student Ensemble

  • MBLE618 Jazz Faculty Ensemble

  • MBLE627 Multi-Focus Ensemble

  • MBLE650 Sonic Boom Ensemble

  • MBLE660 Golia Large Ensemble

  • MHST601 Improvisation: Uses and Lineage

  • MHST550 Stylists & Innovators 1961–Now

  • MPRF512 Jazz Improvisation (1-on-1)

• MPCD599 Graduate Independent Project: Pedagogy

• Chamber/Conducted Ensembles as assigned (4 classes):

  • MBLE500 The Ensemble

  • MBLE606 Graduate Chamber Music Ensemble

  • MBLE609 Period Instrument Ensemble

• MFOR502 Performance Forum (in Spring Semesters, 2 classes)

• ONE class chosen from:

  • MPCD603 Teaching Artistry

  • MPCD604 Pedagogy: Best Practices

  • MPCD650 Career Design for Musicians (1 class)

  • MPCD651 Creative Producing for Music

  • MPCD660 Creative Entrepreneurship

• FOUR units of coursework in Art, Dance, Film/Video, Theater, Creative Writing, or Digital Arts (IDAR)

• MFOR600 Artists-in-Residence Week (2 classes)

• Winter Session (2 units of coursework taken in January)

• MPRF590 Mid-Residence Recital

• MPRF690 Graduation Jury and Recital

• Electives (to fulfill 60-unit degree requirement)