Exploring Music Programs at UCF: A Comprehensive Guide

The University of Central Florida (UCF) School of Music offers a variety of programs designed to cater to a wide range of musical interests and career aspirations. From undergraduate degrees in music and music education to advanced master's programs, UCF provides a supportive and challenging environment for aspiring musicians and educators. This article will explore the various programs offered, highlighting their unique features, requirements, and opportunities.

Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor of Arts in Music (B.A.)

The Bachelor of Arts in Music degree at UCF provides you with a convivial, supportive atmosphere of mutual respect, high standards academically and ethically, and faculty that are devoted to your learning and success. This program is designed for students who desire a broad liberal arts education with a focus on music. The program’s liberal arts emphasis also provides a flexible curriculum, allowing you to explore a wide range of interests through elective courses. Students will take classes in music theory, piano, music technology, music history and more.

While this degree track is not focused on performance, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to perform - whether it’s as part of a musical ensemble or our 350-person marching band, in recitals, operas, in student organizations or as part of our resident symphony orchestra.

Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.)

This degree prepares students for a career teaching the next generation of musicians while also developing their own skills and knowledge as musicians. The BME meets the educational eligibility criteria for certification in Music (K-12) in the State of Florida. We advise all applicants to visit LINK for full details on certification. The mission of the Bachelor of Music Education program is to make great music teacher because every child deserves a great music education. Be prepared to enter one of the most rewarding and important professions in the world. The BME program meets the State of Florida teaching licensure requirements for K-12 Music certification. If your career plans include pursuing state-regulated professional licensure or certification in your chosen field, it is important to become educated on the credentialing requirements of the state in which you hope to practice.

Admission and Audition Requirements for Undergraduate Programs

Prospective music majors may audition with the School of Performing Arts after submitting an application to UCF Undergraduate Admissions. You can audition while waiting for a decision from Admissions.

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If you are unable to attend an audition on one of the scheduled days, you may submit a digital audition by choosing “Digital Audition/Alternate Date” in the Preferred Audition Date field below. A UCF faculty member will contact you after reviewing your video to let you know whether you have been accepted into the program. You will receive your actual audition time when you check in. Students will go to the studio room they have been assigned for audition ten minutes prior to their audition time and wait in the hallway for the professors to call their name, at which point they may enter and begin the audition. With the exception of piano and percussion, auditions usually are about 10 minutes long. Piano and percussion run about 20 minutes long. Auditions are private with the student only. Once the student has completed their audition, they are free to leave.Acceptance and non-acceptance letters will be sent out after completion of all the January and February audition dates.

Acceptance into the Department of Music is conditional upon completion of a successful audition. The audition will serve as a placement examination for accepted candidates.

Prior to attending the first music class as a music major at UCF, all students must take a keyboard placement examination to determine the appropriate level of class piano. Students who change degree programs and select this major must adopt the most current catalog. At least 65 hours of credit must be earned in music courses. Departmental Residency Requirement; at least 30 hours must be taken from the UCF Music department. Performance students must present two faculty-approved public recitals. Students should consult with a departmental advisor for course selection. Courses designated in General Education Program are usually completed throughout four years of study. Students must complete a faculty-approved Senior BM web portfolio. A cumulative minimum GPA of 3.00 based upon all courses required in the major as well as all courses taken in music is required. Failure to maintain this standard may result in program probation or dismissal.

During the fourth semester of applied study, each student will be required to pass the Professional Sequence Entrance Review, which will include the following:

An evaluation of performance skills
Completion of Performance I and II
Completion of Class Piano IV
Overall GPA of at least 2.5, and a GPA for all music courses of at least 3.0. This review is a pre-requisite for Performance level III.
Completion of the following courses: MUS 2360C - Introduction to Music Technology Credit Hours: 3, MUT 2127 - Music Theory and Musicianship IV Credit Hours: 4

Graduate Programs

Master of Arts in Music (M.A.)

The Master of Arts in Music program is intended to provide additional study and training in music to individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree in music or the equivalent. This advanced degree is designed to meet the personalized needs and interests of students. The flexible curriculum accommodates study in many areas with either full-time or part-time enrollment to fit your schedule. Students pursue the M.A. in Music program for a variety of reasons, including to increase their skills in their primary area, add training for a secondary area and to learn more about their craft.

What sets UCF apart is that graduate students will work with and learn directly from highly trained faculty that are at the top of their field. UCF is also the only music graduate program in Central Florida. Because the campus is in Orlando, an international hub of entertainment, many graduates take advantage of gaining experience through freelance gigs, theme park work and more while completing their studies.

Graduate music students will build their core musical and research knowledge through required courses such as Music Bibliography and Research, Music History Seminar and Graduate Level Music Theory. Students will also take elective courses in their area of focus and work toward cumulative experiences through a Graduate Recital, Graduate Project or Thesis. Orchestra, band, choral, jazz and chamber ensembles are open to graduate students to earn participation credit and gain performance experience.

The Music MA program requires a minimum of 30-34 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree. Students must take 11 credit hours of required music courses and 17 credit hours of elective courses. Both thesis and nonthesis options are available and students planning on pursuing a doctoral degree are encouraged to select the thesis option. Nonthesis students must take a Recital or Graduate Project course (2 credit hours) in addition to the 28 credit hours of coursework described above, and thesis students must complete a thesis project (6 credit hours).

The M.A. has an assistantship for string quartet that typically accepts musicians for each odd-number Fall semester and a formal concentration in conducting.

Concentrations within the M.A. Program

Conducting Concentration: The Conducting Concentration is designed for those students who wish to specialize in conducting, leading to recital performances as a conductor.
Music Studies Concentration: The Music Studies Concentration reflects the general nature of this degree and allows students to pursue a variety of interests within music, such as performance, jazz studies, music education, and composition. The philosophy of this program is to provide graduate students with the advanced education, skills, and credentials to enhance their professional abilities and opportunities.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

A limited number of Graduate Teaching Assistantship positions normally become open for the fall semester each year. Some of the positions are targeted toward specific areas of need (such as concert support and recording, marching band or class piano), and others are more general (such as assisting with large lecture classes). In return for work in the department assisting with courses, GTA students receive a waiver for the tuition portion of 9 credit hours each semester, health insurance and a cash stipend. Normally, students will be supported for four semesters, if the work and academic achievement is satisfactory.

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All prospective students are encouraged to apply using the department’s Graduate Teaching Assistant application form.

String Quartet Assistantship

Prospective graduate music students interested in studying string quartet can apply and audition for an assistantship where they will play for two years as a member of the Pegasus String Quartet while earning their M.A. in Music and includes full tuition plus a stipend.

Flexibility for Working Professionals

The course offering schedule will accommodate full-time professionals by offering evening courses during the academic year plus limited courses in the summer. The department offers a limited number of online courses in the M.A.

Graduate Theory Diagnostic Test

All Music MA students are required to take the Graduate Theory Diagnostic Test at the beginning of their first semester. The purpose of this exam is to confirm that the student is properly prepared for music theory study at the graduate level.

Application Requirements

Instrument/Voice Auditions. Department auditions are scheduled on campus on specific dates. If the applicant chooses or these dates are impossible, then a digital audition recording may be submitted through Acceptd. In some cases, an alternate date may be arranged.
Two letters of recommendation are required.
The applicant must submit a scholarly or academic essay of at least 1,000 words (about 4-5 double-spaced pages) on some topic in music or music education, written in formal prose (as if for submission in a music history or theory class for a grade). You may submit a paper that you used for a previous course, but please note this is not an essay about why you like music or why you want to go to graduate school. Essays on any era or style, and popular or non-Western music are acceptable. The paper should state a thesis, provide supporting evidence for the thesis and lead to a conclusion.

Alumni Success

Alumni of the M.A. Music program have had successes in many areas. Some stay in their current positions with added confidence and skill while some have used the degree to qualify for new positions, such as college or university level instructors. Others have gone on to doctorate programs in performance, musicology and more.

Opportunities at UCF

Performance Opportunities

While the B.A. degree track is not focused on performance, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to perform - whether it’s as part of a musical ensemble or our 350-person marching band, in recitals, operas, in student organizations or as part of our resident symphony orchestra.

Orchestra, band, choral, jazz and chamber ensembles are open to graduate students to earn participation credit and gain performance experience.

Location Advantages

What sets UCF Music apart from other colleges and universities is that there is a thriving entertainment industry in Orlando that provides many opportunities for current students and graduates. Because the campus is in Orlando, an international hub of entertainment, many graduates take advantage of gaining experience through freelance gigs, theme park work and more while completing their studies.

Job demand for musicians in Florida is one of the highest in the country.

Skills Development

Review studies in music theory, both written and aural skills, including musical analysis, model composition, sight singing, ear training and improvisation over a continuation of four courses.
Discover music of the United States from pre-Revolutionary times to present, covering vernacular, jazz, popular and art music traditions indigenous to the country.
Study the history of Western European art music from antiquity to 1800.
Practice self-discipline and responsibility through scheduling and time management, staying organized and meeting goals to ensure projects are complete.
Experience how to adapt to various situations, whether you’re playing with a new group, learning a new type of music or meeting shifting priorities and obligations.
Get a first-hand look at problem solving techniques - from working within a budget to lesson planning to communicating with different types of people.

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