Program Requirements for Mathematics

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2021-2022 academic year.

Mathematics

College of Letters and Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Mathematics offers the Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree and the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Mathematics.

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degree

Advising

Students typically spend two years in the master’s degree program. Therefore, upon matriculation, each master’s degree student is assigned a faculty adviser to assist with the careful planning needed for an optimal educational experience. In consultation with the adviser, students are asked to formulate a tentative study plan for the first year. This plan is subject to change over the year as is appropriate or necessary. After matriculation, the faculty adviser can be changed, with consent of the Graduate Vice Chair, to another member of the permanent departmental faculty who is willing to advise the student.

Study plan approval: At the beginning of each quarter, the study plan of courses the student is to take that quarter must be approved and signed by the faculty adviser. The approved study plan must then be submitted to the Graduate Office for the review and approval of the Graduate Vice Chair.

If at any point the Graduate Vice Chair determines that it is likely the student will need more than six quarters in residence following matriculation to complete the master’s degree requirements, from then on the student is required to meet with the Graduate Vice Chair at the beginning of each quarter for the review and approval of the study plan and for an evaluation of the student’s overall progress.

Areas of Study

All areas of study in which the department offers course work at the beginning to middle graduate level are open to M.A. students. Although the primary focus of the M.A. program is mathematics, students may pursue a well-planned program with a substantial interdisciplinary component.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Students must complete 11 approved letter-graded courses (44 units); each must be passed with a B or better. At least eight (32 units) of the 11 courses must be graduate courses in Mathematics. Courses from outside the department that are predominantly mathematical in nature may be used with approval from the Graduate Vice Chair. One letter-graded 596 course may also be used with Graduate Vice Chair approval.

Course approval (separate from study plan approval, discussed under Advising): Any course applied toward the degree must have a sufficient amount of advanced mathematical content and an appropriate evaluation plan, and must be approved by the department to be applied toward the degree. For most mathematics graduate and upper division courses with standard syllabi and evaluation plans, course approval is routine. For other courses, in particular those offered by other departments, course approval is given on a course-by-course basis after review of the syllabus and evaluation plan. In these cases, course approval must be obtained in writing from the Graduate Vice Chair at the start of the quarter in which the course is to be taken. Retroactive consideration of such a course by the Graduate Vice Chair is made only in an exceptional circumstance.

Students cannot apply the following courses towards their M.A. degree:

Undergraduate courses that are required for the B.S. degree in Mathematics at UCLA, namely Mathematics 110AB, 115A, 120A, 131AB, and 131AH (these courses can only be used to make up deficiencies).
Upper division mathematics courses numbered 100 through 109.
Math 285 without prior approval from the Graduate Vice Chair.
Courses taken outside the department without approval from the Graduate Vice Chair.
Math 290 or 296.
Math 375 or 495.

If the following pairs of courses are taken during enrollment at the graduate level, only one course can apply towards the degree.

110AH and 210A – Upper Division Algebra and Graduate Algebra.
110BH and 210B – Upper Division Algebra and Graduate Algebra.
132 and 246A – Complex Analysis for Applications and Complex Analysis.
131BH and 245A – Measure and Integration and Real Analysis.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

Students must pass the departmental basic examination. The syllabus for this examination, available in the departmental graduate office and website, consists of a selection of advanced topics that are essential prerequisites for the field of graduate mathematics study at the University. The examination is offered twice a year and can be taken whenever offered, provided the student is matriculated in the graduate program. The possible outcomes of the basic examination are Pass or Fail. Students who fail to take or fail to pass this examination upon matriculation are advised to devise a study plan that leaves time to prepare for it. Students must pass the basic examination by the end of their sixth quarter.

Thesis Plan

None.

Time-to-Degree

Students ordinarily are required to complete the requirements for the master’s degree within two years following matriculation. Students who wish to remain in the program longer than two years must obtain approval in advance each quarter. Permission to remain in the program longer than two years is not automatically approved and no student is permitted to continue course work for longer than three years.

Satisfactory progress toward the master’s degree is defined as full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 units) with a minimum grade-point average of 3.00 or higher each quarter and completion of all course work within two years. Students who fail to make satisfactory progress are subject to a recommendation for academic disqualification to the Graduate Division.

Master’s degree students who have passed the basic examination at the Ph.D. level by September of the second year may petition during the second year to transfer to the Ph.D. program. Students must demonstrate the ability to do Ph.D. level preparatory course work to be accepted into the Ph.D. program. Acceptance into the Ph.D. program is neither automatic nor guaranteed. Students normally are required to pass the Ph.D. area examinations in accordance with the schedule for satisfactory progress in order to be accepted into the Ph.D. program.

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.A.	6	6	9

Master of Arts in Teaching

Advising

The vice chair for graduate studies is the chief graduate adviser and heads a committee of faculty advisers whose fields of expertise span most of the major areas of mathematics. Students are required to meet with a faculty adviser who helps them plan a reasonable course of study.

The graduate vice chair is responsible for monitoring students’ progress toward their degree objective and approves student enrollment plans each quarter. Continuing students are normally asked to meet with the vice chair (or some other adviser) at least once each quarter and a record of this interview is placed in the student files. There are ample opportunities to meet with an adviser of the student’s choice throughout the academic year.

Areas of Study

Consult the department.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

11 courses (44 units) are required as follows:

Core Courses. Students must take Mathematics 201A-201B-201C (12 units total) and 202A-202B (8 units total). Students also take one quarter of Mathematics 596 (4 units) while fulfilling the essay requirement described below.

Additional Courses. Besides the six core courses described above, an additional five upper division or graduate courses in mathematics are required. Particularly recommended are Mathematics 106, 110B, 110C, 111, 131B, 134, and Statistics 100B. Candidates on the junior college track normally take five 100- or 200-level courses in mathematics in addition to the six core courses. However, with prior approval of the graduate vice chair, one course of a predominantly mathematical nature taken in another department may be applied toward the degree.

Students may not apply Mathematics 370A, or 370B toward the degree. In addition, students may not apply toward the degree more than two quarters (8 units) of Mathematics 596 or more than two 300-series courses (8 units).

Essay Requirement. A master’s essay on some subject in mathematics related to the student’s prospective teaching is required. This essay is written by the student, under the direction of a faculty member, while enrolled in Mathematics 596.

Credential Requirements. Students planning to teach in secondary schools who do not already have valid credentials for such teaching should enroll in the single subject instructional credential program in the Department of Education (Graduate School of Education and Information Studies). Of the courses required by this program, students receive M.A.T. credit only for the following courses: Education 312, 330A-330B, 406, 407. Actual receipt of the credential is not a degree requirement. Interested students should check with the Department of Education for a full and up-to-date description of credential requirements and should submit a Department of Education application for admission to the credential program.

Teaching Experience

Teaching experience is not a formal requirement for the M.A.T. degree; however, students who are working for a secondary credential must take the supervised teaching course Mathematics 495. Students are eligible for teaching assistantships.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

In the M.A.T. program, one examination in mathematical subject matter, the departmental basic examination, is required, as well as one examination in content and philosophy of secondary school mathematics. Ordinarily, these examinations are administered in conjunction with Mathematics 201A-201B-201C and 202A-202B. Reexamination after failure is allowed up to four times, at the discretion of the Graduate Vice Chair. Students must pass the basic examination by the end of their sixth quarter.

Thesis Plan

None.

Time-to-Degree

Students who are well-prepared should be able to complete the requirements for the M.A.T. degree in six quarters of full-time study.

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.A.T.	6	6	9

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Careful planning is needed for each stage of a doctoral student’s training. Therefore, upon matriculation each student is assigned a faculty adviser to assist with this planning. In consultation with the adviser, students are asked to formulate a tentative study plan for the first year. This plan is subject to change over the year as is appropriate or necessary. After matriculation the faculty adviser can be changed, with consent of the Graduate Vice Chair, to another member of the permanent departmental faculty who is willing to advise the student.

Study plan approval: Entering and continuing doctoral students who are not advanced to candidacy are required to meet with their adviser and obtain approval of their study plan at the beginning of each quarter. The approved study plan must then be submitted to the Graduate Office for the review and approval of the Graduate Vice Chair. The Graduate Vice Chair, who has final approval over study plans, is responsible for monitoring student progress toward completion of the doctoral degree requirements, and for ensuring that study plans are directed toward that goal.

If at any point the Graduate Vice Chair determines that the student is not making satisfactory progress, from then on the student is required to meet with the Graduate Vice Chair at the beginning of each quarter for the review and approval of the study plan and for an evaluation of the student’s overall progress. This requirement continues until the student is advanced to candidacy.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

The Ph.D. degree in Mathematics may be earned under the pure or applied programs. Many possible choices of fields exist within these programs, and students are urged to read the Research at UCLA page of the department website that describes the specialties of the faculty and the active research areas in the department in some detail.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Under the pure mathematics option, students must pass (with a letter grade of B or better) at least 15 courses from Mathematics 205A through 285N. At most, three of these courses may be in the 285 series. Each student must lecture for 90 minutes (normally two lectures) in at least two advanced seminars. Students may enroll in the advanced seminars only after passing the written qualifying examinations; credit for one of the seminars must be obtained within three registered quarters after passing the written qualifying examinations, the other within five quarters after passing the written qualifying examinations.

Under the applied mathematics option, students must pass (with a letter grade of B or better) at least 18 approved graduate courses, including at least 12 courses from Mathematics 205A through 285N. At most, three of these courses may be in the 285 series.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Academic Senate regulations require all doctoral students to complete and pass university written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. Also, under Senate regulations, the University Oral Qualifying Examination is open only to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to university requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements. What follows in this section is how students are required to fulfill all of these requirements for this doctoral program.

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Students must pass three written qualifying examinations:

The departmental basic examination. The syllabus for this examination, available in the departmental graduate office and website, consists of a selection of advanced topics that are essential prerequisites for the field of graduate mathematics study at the University. The examination is offered twice a year and can be taken whenever offered provided the student is matriculated in the graduate program. Doctoral students normally take the basic examination upon matriculation into the program. The possible outcomes of the basic examination are Pass or Fail. Students who fail to take or fail to pass this examination upon matriculation are advised to devise a study plan that leaves time to prepare for it. Students must pass the basic examination by the end of their sixth quarter.

Two area examinations. Students are required to pass two area examinations chosen from the following seven options: algebra, applied differential equations, computational mathematics, geometry/topology, logic, optimization/numerical linear algebra and real and complex analysis. Students are permitted to take each area examination up to four times in order to pass. One area examination must be passed by the sixth quarter of graduate study, and the second area examination must be passed by the seventh quarter of graduate study. Because preparation for an area examination can take a year or more, students should choose, as early as possible and in consultation with their adviser, the area examinations they plan to take.

The University Oral Qualifying Examination. After passing the basic examination and the two area examinations, the student may set up the doctoral committee which administers the University Oral Qualifying Examination for advancement to candidacy. Students are expected to pass the University Oral Qualifying Examination by the ninth quarter.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy and awarded the Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of the Dissertation)

Not required for all students in the program. The decision as to whether a defense is required is made by the doctoral committee.

Time-to-Degree

Students are required to pass the written qualifying examinations for the Ph.D. degree within the deadlines indicated under Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations. Completion of all degree requirements (including the dissertation) normally takes 16 quarters of full-time study.

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	9	16	21

Academic Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for academic disqualification from graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing academic disqualification of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Special Departmental or Program Policy

Master’s
A student who does not complete all the requirements for the M.A. degree within six quarters of full-time study is subject to a recommendation for academic disqualification. The Graduate Vice Chair decides in each case whether a recommendation for academic disqualification is warranted. A student may appeal a recommendation for academic disqualification to the Graduate Studies Committee, which makes the final departmental decision on this matter.

Doctoral
A student who fails to meet a deadline for passing a written qualifying examination is subject to a recommendation for academic disqualification. The Graduate Vice Chair informs a student of such a recommendation and the student is provided the opportunity to submit a written appeal that may include letters of support from members of the faculty. The appeal is considered by the Graduate Studies Committee, which make the final departmental decision as to whether the student is allowed to remain in the program or is recommended for academic disqualification.

Program Requirements for Mathematics

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Mathematics

College of Letters and Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Mathematics offers the Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree and the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Mathematics.

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degree

Advising

Areas of Study

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Students cannot apply the following courses towards their M.A. degree:

Undergraduate courses that are required for the B.S. degree in Mathematics at UCLA, namely Mathematics 110AB, 115A, 120A, 131AB, and 131AH (these courses can only be used to make up deficiencies).
Upper division mathematics courses numbered 100 through 109.
Math 285 without prior approval from the Graduate Vice Chair.
Courses taken outside the department without approval from the Graduate Vice Chair.
Math 290 or 296.
Math 375 or 495.

If the following pairs of courses are taken during enrollment at the graduate level, only one course can apply towards the degree.

110AH and 210A – Upper Division Algebra and Graduate Algebra.
110BH and 210B – Upper Division Algebra and Graduate Algebra.
132 and 246A – Complex Analysis for Applications and Complex Analysis.
131BH and 245A – Measure and Integration and Real Analysis.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

Thesis Plan

None.

Time-to-Degree

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.A.	6	6	9

Master of Arts in Teaching

Advising

Areas of Study

Consult the department.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

11 courses (44 units) are required as follows:

Teaching Experience

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

Thesis Plan

None.

Time-to-Degree

Students who are well-prepared should be able to complete the requirements for the M.A.T. degree in six quarters of full-time study.

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.A.T.	6	6	9

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Students must pass three written qualifying examinations:

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy and awarded the Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Final Oral Examination (Defense of the Dissertation)

Not required for all students in the program. The decision as to whether a defense is required is made by the doctoral committee.

Time-to-Degree

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	9	16	21

Academic Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification

University Policy

Special Departmental or Program Policy

Program Requirements for Mathematics

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2023-2024 academic year.

Mathematics

College of Letters and Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Mathematics offers the Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree and the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Mathematics.

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degree

Advising

Areas of Study

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Students cannot apply the following courses towards their M.A. degree:

Undergraduate courses that are required for the B.S. degree in Mathematics at UCLA, namely Mathematics 110AB, 115A, 120A, 131AB, and 131AH (these courses can only be used to make up deficiencies).
Upper division mathematics courses numbered 100 through 109.
Math 285 without prior approval from the Graduate Vice Chair.
Courses taken outside the department without approval from the Graduate Vice Chair.
Math 290 or 296.
Math 375 or 495.

If the following pairs of courses are taken during enrollment at the graduate level, only one course can apply towards the degree.

110AH and 210A – Upper Division Algebra and Graduate Algebra.
110BH and 210B – Upper Division Algebra and Graduate Algebra.
132 and 246A – Complex Analysis for Applications and Complex Analysis.
131BH and 245A – Measure and Integration and Real Analysis.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

Thesis Plan

None.

Time-to-Degree

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.A.	6	6	9

Master of Arts in Teaching

Advising

Areas of Study

Consult the department.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

11 courses (44 units) are required as follows:

Teaching Experience

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

Thesis Plan

None.

Time-to-Degree

Students who are well-prepared should be able to complete the requirements for the M.A.T. degree in six quarters of full-time study.

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.A.T.	6	6	9

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Students must pass three written qualifying examinations:

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy and awarded the Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Final Oral Examination (Defense of the Dissertation)

Not required for all students in the program. The decision as to whether a defense is required is made by the doctoral committee.

Time-to-Degree

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	9	16	21

Academic Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification

University Policy

Special Departmental or Program Policy

Program Requirements for Mathematics

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2024-2025 academic year.

Mathematics

College of Letters and Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Mathematics offers the Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree and the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Mathematics.

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degree

Advising

Areas of Study

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Students cannot apply the following courses towards their M.A. degree:

Undergraduate courses that are required for the B.S. degree in Mathematics at UCLA, namely Mathematics 110AB, 115A, 120A, 131AB, and 131AH (these courses can only be used to make up deficiencies).
Upper division mathematics courses numbered 100 through 109.
Math 285 without prior approval from the Graduate Vice Chair.
Courses taken outside the department without approval from the Graduate Vice Chair.
Math 290 or 296.
Math 375 or 495.

If the following pairs of courses are taken during enrollment at the graduate level, only one course can apply towards the degree.

110AH and 210A – Upper Division Algebra and Graduate Algebra.
110BH and 210B – Upper Division Algebra and Graduate Algebra.
132 and 246A – Complex Analysis for Applications and Complex Analysis.
131BH and 245A – Measure and Integration and Real Analysis.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

Thesis Plan

None.

Time-to-Degree

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.A.	6	6	9

Master of Arts in Teaching

Advising

Areas of Study

Consult the department.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

11 courses (44 units) are required as follows:

Teaching Experience

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

Thesis Plan

None.

Time-to-Degree

Students who are well-prepared should be able to complete the requirements for the M.A.T. degree in six quarters of full-time study.

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.A.T.	6	6	9

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Students must pass three written qualifying examinations:

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy and awarded the Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Final Oral Examination (Defense of the Dissertation)

Not required for all students in the program. The decision as to whether a defense is required is made by the doctoral committee.

Time-to-Degree

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	9	16	21

Academic Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification

University Policy

Special Departmental or Program Policy

Program Requirements for Mathematics

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2025-2026 academic year.

Mathematics

College of Letters and Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Mathematics offers the Masters of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree and the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Mathematics.

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degree

Advising

Areas of Study

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Students cannot apply the following courses towards their M.A. degree:

Undergraduate courses that are required for the B.S. degree in Mathematics at UCLA, namely Mathematics 110AB, 115A, 120A, 131AB, and 131AH (these courses can only be used to make up deficiencies).
Upper division mathematics courses numbered 100 through 109.
Math 285 without prior approval from the Graduate Vice Chair.
Courses taken outside the department without approval from the Graduate Vice Chair.
Math 290 or 296.
Math 375 or 495.

If the following pairs of courses are taken during enrollment at the graduate level, only one course can apply towards the degree.

110AH and 210A – Upper Division Algebra and Graduate Algebra.
110BH and 210B – Upper Division Algebra and Graduate Algebra.
132 and 246A – Complex Analysis for Applications and Complex Analysis.
131BH and 245A – Measure and Integration and Real Analysis.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

Thesis Plan

None.

Time-to-Degree

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.A.	6	6	9

Master of Arts in Teaching

Advising

Areas of Study

Consult the department.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

11 courses (44 units) are required as follows:

Teaching Experience

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

Thesis Plan

None.

Time-to-Degree

Students who are well-prepared should be able to complete the requirements for the M.A.T. degree in six quarters of full-time study.

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.A.T.	6	6	9

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Students must pass three written qualifying examinations:

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy and awarded the Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Final Oral Examination (Defense of the Dissertation)

Not required for all students in the program. The decision as to whether a defense is required is made by the doctoral committee.

Time-to-Degree

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	9	16	21

Academic Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification

University Policy

Special Departmental or Program Policy

Program Requirements for Nursing

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2023-2024 academic year.

Nursing

School of Nursing

Graduate Degrees

The School of Nursing offers the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) degree and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Nursing.

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degree

There are two tracks to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree.

The first track is the M.S.N.-Master’s Entry Clinical Nursing (MECN) program designed for students who have baccalaureate degrees in subjects other than Nursing. The program prepares individuals to sit for the licensing exam to become Registered Nurses (RN).

The second track is the M.S.N.-Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN) program intended for those with baccalaureate degrees in Nursing who wish to assume advanced practice nursing roles as Nurse Practitioners and/or Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Advising

MSN-APRN
APRN students are advised in groups by specialty. Students seeking additional advising are encouraged to make an appointment with one of the program directors.

MSN-MECN
All MECN students are assigned to a faculty advisor upon entering the program. Students are expected to meet with their advisor at least once a quarter. The faculty adviser will place documentation of each advising appointment in the student’s file. If a student has a question about a particular course, the student is advised to speak with the course instructor first. Otherwise, the faculty adviser should be the first point of contact for any student with questions or concerns about the program.

Additionally, for MSN-MECN students, the School of Nursing has designated Nursing Specialty Coaches for students seeking additional help in major nursing coursework. A student who is not making satisfactory progress in a nursing course will be referred to a Nursing Specialty Coach (NSC) by a faculty member. Students may also make a self-referral. In addition to the NSC’s, there is a designated Clinical Remediation Specialist in the skills lab. Clinical faculty may refer students to the Clinical Remediation Specialist, or students may make a self-referral.

Areas of Study

M.S.N. Master’s Entry Clinical Nursing: The School of Nursing offers graduate studies for Master’s Entry Clinical Nursing to prepare individuals with a baccalaureate in another field who wish to become registered nurses. Students are prepared with strong leadership skills to function in health care delivery across a variety of settings in the health care system, including the acute care setting. The program includes eligibility for Public Health Nurse Certification after passing the NCLEX.

M.S.N. Advanced Practice Nursing: Currently, the School of Nursing offers graduate studies and preparation in the Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner role or the Clinical Nurse Specialist role. Practice is divided into four distinct population foci: Adult/Gerontology Primary Care, Adult/Gerontology Acute Care, Family/Individual Across the Lifespan, and Pediatrics. Adult/Gerontology Primary Care students and Family Nurse Practitioner students may select an additional area of concentration in Occupational and Environmental Health. Adult/Gerontology Acute Care and Pediatrics students may select either the nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or the dual nurse practitioner/clinical nurse specialist roles. Students in the Pediatrics specialty may select primary care, acute care or dual primary and acute care. Students in the Family/Individual Across the Lifespan, Adult/ Gerontology Primary and Occupational and Environmental Health specializations are prepared in the nurse practitioner role only.

Applicants are advised to seek counseling prior to admission in order to select the population, specialty and role most appropriate to career goals, as well as to meet requirements for acceptance into the particular area of study. Certain programs of study (i.e. dual NP/CNS, MECN) will require summer coursework for degree completion. Continuation in the dual role program is based on academic performance and subject to faculty approval.

All graduates are prepared to sit for advanced practice certification in the appropriate specialty area by agencies providing national certification.

Foreign Language Requirement
None.

Course Requirements

A student is considered in good academic standing when enrolled in at least 8 units each quarter and carrying an overall cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. A MECN student is considered to have passed a theory or clinical class when a grade of C or better is earned. An APRN student may pass a theory course with a grade of C or better. For an APRN student, a grade of B is required in a clinical course.

Students in the nursing program acquire knowledge and skills that build upon one another from quarter to quarter. Therefore, nursing courses follow a defined sequence and are usually offered once annually. It is essential that students pass all coursework in order to make satisfactory progress in the program. In the instance when a student does not earn a passing grade (see above for explanation of passing grades), that student may be delayed in their degree completion because many courses are -requisite to subsequent courses in the degree program (please consult with the graduate program for further information). Such a student will meet with the academic faculty adviser and then the Director of Student Services in order to create an alternative plan for completing the degree. An alternative plan may include coursework that may be taken subsequent to retaking the failed course, referrals to Nursing Specialty Coaches (if a MECN student), referrals to resources on campus, and other assignments that will increase the student’s chances of success.

M.S.N. Master’s Entry Clinical Nursing (MECN): The following 23 courses are required:

In order for a MECN student to qualify for the degree and be certified to the Board of Registered Nursing as being eligible to sit the national board exam to become a Registered Nurse, the following must be successfully completed:

All didactic and clinical coursework prescribed in the curriculum
All Kaplan Examinations
All Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCE’s)
The Master’s Comprehensive Examination

The following 102 units (23 courses) are required:

Research Courses. Nursing 204
Nursing Core. Nursing 150A, 150B, 174, 225A, 225B, 230A, 230B, 250, 260
Integrated Clinical Theory and Practice Courses. Nursing 171, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465A, 465B, 465C, 467
Administrative/Leadership Courses. Nursing 267, 268, 269
Comprehensive Examination Preparation. 597

Students must earn a grade C or better in each class.

Since courses are typically offered once each year, a student out of sequence could be delayed up to a year in completing degree requirements.

Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCEs) test important nursing skills and are evaluated according to a standard rubric that is available to students for practice in the laboratory during Open Lab hours ahead of the OSCE testing. They are usually given at the end of each clinical course during finals week as a summative evaluation.

M.S.N. Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN): Specific requirements for each area of clinical specialization are described below. A total of four units of 500-series courses may be applied toward the total course requirement for the degree. Students must earn a B or better in clinical courses. A C or better is allowed in theory courses.

Course requirements for the APRN vary according to role, focus, and specialty area selected. Students should see courses under each population focus and/or specialty listed below. Since courses are typically offered once each year, a student out of sequence could be delayed up to a year in completing degree requirements.

Requirements for Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Population

78-79 units (18 unique courses) are required to complete the Advanced Practice Nursing (APRN) Program with a specialty in Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Population. The focus for the Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner is to provide primary care to individuals across the adult age spectrum from late adolescence through older adulthood. In addition, these students are prepared to provide comprehensive end of life care to adults. Because the health care needs of adults range from wellness to complex illness care, the settings in which the Adult/Gerontology Primary Care NP delivers care are diverse. In many cases, Adult/Gerontology Primary NPs follow their patients across care settings to maintain quality and safety during care transitions.

Interdisciplinary collaboration and care management are emphasized. Required theory courses are Nursing 200, 204, 211, 224, 231, 232, 239A, 239B, 239C, 264, N597, and 3-4 units of theory elective. Required laboratory/clinical courses are N440, N439A, N439B, N439C, N439D, and N439E.

Applicants selecting the Adult/Gerontology Primary Care or Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner focus may also select an additional area of concentration: Occupational and Environmental Health. Students must meet all requirements of the Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Population or the Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner Population. Additional coursework integrates principles of occupational and environmental health assessment and care with primary ambulatory care of adults. Practitioners evaluate the individual as seen within the work setting as well as within the family and community group. Primary focus and emphasis are on health status assessment, health promotion, illness/accident prevention, hazard control, screening, surveillance, and rehabilitation of adult workers. Requirements are met through a combination of courses and experiences specific to the delivery of occupational and environmental health care services. In addition to the course requirements for the Adult/Gerontology Primary Care and Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner specialties, students seeking the subspecialty in Occupational and Environmental Health also complete the following courses: N213, and 10 units of approved Environmental Health Sciences and/or Epidemiology electives. Students pursuing the Occupational Health subspecialty do not have to take the nursing theory elective. For the Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner specialty with an Occupational and Environmental Health focus, there are a minimum of 20 unique courses and 89 units.

Requirements for Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Population

The Adult/Gerontology Acute Care population focus covers individuals from adolescence through adulthood and older age who are identified as ill and who have high intensity nursing and medical needs. Students may select the nurse practitioner role, the clinical nurse specialist role, or the dual role (NP and CNS). These patients may receive care in a wide variety of settings, from intensive care units to specialty clinics, doctor’s offices, or the home. A minimum of two years of prior experience in acute care is highly recommended. Graduates are expected to engage in research-based practice as acute care nurse practitioners and/or clinical specialists, educators, consultants, and to become leaders in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

For those students pursuing the Nurse Practitioner role, 69-70 units (17 courses) are required. The required theory courses are Nursing 200, 204, 216A, 216B, 216C, 224, 231, N264, N597, and three to four units of theory elective. The required laboratory/clinical courses are N440, N444, N416A, N416B, N416C, N416D, and N416E.

The CNS/NP Dual program requires 92 units (20 unique courses). Students who prepare for dual certification (NP/CNS) take the required courses listed above, except for the four units of theory elective; they also take Nursing 220, 245, 269, and 445. N445 is taken in Summer A and Summer C for a total of 17 units. 416E is taken in the last quarter for 6 units rather than 8 (required of the NP’s).

Students who select the Clinical Nurse Specialist role take Nursing 200, 204, 216A, 216B, 216C, 220, 224, 264, 231, 245, 267, 269, N597, and a 3- or 4-unit nursing theory elective. The laboratory/clinical courses are 440 , 444 and 445. N445 is taken multiple times for a total of 28 units. The CNS role is 83-84 units (17 unique courses).

Requirements for Family Population

78-79 units (19 courses) are required to complete the Advanced Practice Nursing (APRN) Program with a specialty in Family Population. The family population (FNP) covers primary health care for individuals throughout the life span. The focus is on collaborative, interdisciplinary practice to assure comprehensive quality health care and health maintenance in outpatient, work site, home health, nursing home, and other ambulatory settings. Emphasis is on the assessment, treatment, and evaluation of the client’s responses to actual or potential health problems, which may be chronic or acute and include primary prevention and health promotion. The required theory courses are Nursing 200, 204, 211, 212, 224, 231, 236, 239A, 239B, 239C, 264, N597, and three or four units of theory elective. The required laboratory/clinical courses are N440, N429A, N429B, N429C, N429D, and N429E.

In addition to the courses above, FNP students wishing to pick up the Occupational and Environmental Health subspecialty also complete N213 and 10 units of approved Environmental Health Sciences and/or Epidemiology electives. The nursing theory elective is waived. There are 21 unique courses required for this specialty, and 89 total units

Requirements for Pediatrics Population

The pediatric population focus covers the primary health care of children from birth to adolescence. The acute care CNS and acute care NP roles covers children from birth to adolescence who are identified as ill and who have high intensity nursing and medical needs. Emphasis is on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of children’s actual or potential health problems. Content stresses care for acute and chronic illnesses as well as primary prevention.

There are 67-68 units (17 courses) required for the Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner role. The required theory courses are Nursing 200, 204, 212, 223, 224, 231, 237A, 238A, 238B, 264, N597, and three or four units of theory elective. The required laboratory/clinical courses are N440, N437A, N438A, N438B, N438C.

There are 77-78 units (20 courses) required for the Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner role. The required theory courses are Nursing 200, 204, 212, 223, 224, 231, 237A, 237B, 238A, 238B, 264, N597, and three or four units of theory elective. The required laboratory/clinical courses are N440, N441, N437A, N437B, N437C, N438A, and N438B.

There are 82-83 units (19 unique courses) required for the Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist role. The required theory courses are 200, 204, 220, 231, 223, 224, 245, 269, 212, 264, 237A, 237B, 238A, 238B, 597 and a three- or four-unit nursing elective. The required laboratory/clinical courses are 440, 441 and 445. 445 is taken multiple quarters.

There are 88 units (20 courses) required for the Pediatric Dual Primary and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner role. The required courses are 200, 204, 231, 223, 224, 212, 264, 238A, 238B, 237A, 237B, and N597. The required laboratory/clinical courses are 440, 441, 438A, 438B, 437A, 437B, and 437C.

There are 102 units (23 courses) required for the Pediatric Dual Clinical Nurse Specialist and Acute Care Nurse Practitioner role. The required courses are 200, 204, 220, 231, 223, 224, 238A, 238B, 245, 269, 237A, 237B, 212, 264, and 597. The required laboratory/clinical courses are 440, 441, 438A, 438B, 437A, 437B, 437C, and 445.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

MSN students are advanced to candidacy in the last quarter of enrollment in the program and the successful completion of the comprehensive examination.

Successful completion of the comprehensive examination is required for all MSN students. The comprehensive examination is based on the coursework taken in the program and is given in written form during winter and spring quarters. The comprehensive exam is read by three faculty members and is graded either Pass or Fail. In the event that a student fails the exam, a coach will be assigned to give feedback to the student based on the readers’ comments before the student is expected to rewrite and resubmit the exam for grading the following quarter. Students who choose to submit the exam in the Winter Quarter and who do not pass are eligible to resubmit the exam in the Spring Quarter. Students who do not pass the exam in the Spring Quarter may resubmit the exam in the Summer Quarter to qualify for a summer degree. A third and final attempt may be made in the Fall Quarter. Students are eligible to take the examination in the second year of the program. The examination stems are published at the beginning of the fall quarter for students in the second year of the MSN program. Students are allowed three attempts to pass the exam and must complete all requirements for the degree within one calendar year after advancement to candidacy.

Thesis Plan

None.

Time to Degree

M.S.N. Master’s Entry Clinical Nursing: Normal progress from graduate admission to conferral of degree is six academic quarters and one summer.

M.S.N. Advanced Practice Nursing: Normal progress from graduate admission to conferral of degree is six academic quarters.

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.S.N. Master’s Entry Clinical Nursing	7	7	10
M.S.N. Advanced Practice Nursing	6	6	10

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Upon admission, students are assigned doctoral advisers recommended by the Student Affairs Committee, in cooperation with the Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as well as the PhD Program Director, to provide individual supervision and to guide selection of a suitable program of study. Doctoral advisers are chosen for their expertise in the student’s research area.

Students meet with their doctoral advisers at least once each quarter to determine course work for the following quarter. A student may seek the advice of the Director of Student Services at any time.

Students’ doctoral advisers may become their dissertation mentor. Students are encouraged to identify their dissertation mentor by the time they complete required course work. The maximum number of quarters for advancement to candidacy for students with a master’s degree is 12 quarters; for students entering with a bachelor’s degree, the maximum is 15 quarters.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

The goal of the UCLA School of Nursing (SON) Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program is to develop the foundation of knowledge upon which the practice of the profession is based. The UCLA SON Ph.D. program aims to graduate nurse researchers who will conduct research that develops the science of Nursing and graduates who will steward the discipline of Nursing. Doctoral graduates serve as leaders who educate, influence practice, advance science, optimize healthcare delivery, and influence healthcare policy worldwide.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Students admitted to the Ph.D. program without an advanced practice M.S.N. may find it necessary to complete additional graduate level courses in nursing or an equivalent discipline focused on their research topic. Courses must be chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty adviser.

Students admitted to the Ph.D. program with a Bachelors (B.S.) may petition for a Master of Science (M.S.) degree upon completion of the first two years of required course work and passing the written qualifying exam.

The following are core courses in the Ph.D. program:

1. Nursing theory: Nursing 202, 206A, 206B, 210A, 210B
2. Nursing research: Nursing 205A, 207, 208, 295A,299A-299B.
3. In addition, students proposing a dissertation using qualitative methods take Nursing 205B, 205C, and 299B concurrently with 596. The N299B/N596 pair of courses should be taken at least once. Multiple enrollments in N299B are allowed.
4. Students proposing a dissertation using quantitative methods take N299B along with N596 at least twice. Multiple enrollments in N299B are allowed.
5. Statistics: Nursing 291A and 291B. Students proposing a dissertation using quantitative methods also take Nursing 291C.Cognates: Minimum of three courses in related field relevant to area of research, outside of the School of Nursing. Cognates are to be taken for a letter grade, unless otherwise approved by the advisor/chair and PhD program director.
6. Dissertation Preparation: 596 before advancing to candidacy and 599 after advancing to candidacy. Both courses may be taken multiple times.
7. Professional Development: Although not required, students may elect to take Nursing 209, and the Teaching Theory and practicum 299D and 495. N495 is required of any student wishing to serve as a Teaching Assistant (TA).

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Written Qualifying Examination. The written qualifying examination is usually taken after completion of the following courses: Nursing 202, 205A, 206A, 206B, 207, 210A, 210B, 299A, and Statistics Nursing 291A and B. The examination is submitted in July. The written qualifying examination will be graded independently by two readers. The candidate needs to receive a passing score by the two independent readers. If one score is passing and the other is failing, the exam will be scored by a third reader. Only one reexamination is permitted before the student completes their ninth quarter of study.

Oral Qualifying Examination. The University Oral Qualifying Examination, taken after completing the course requirements and successfully passing the written qualifying examination, evaluates students’ dissertation proposals. The initial step is selection of a doctoral committee. Students are responsible for obtaining the consent of four or more faculty members to serve on the committee as certifying members. Qualifications of members must be consistent with students’ area of research and special interests and also with the requirements for doctoral committees as stated in the Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Final Oral Examination (Defense of the Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

Time-to-degree

The normative time to degree (TTD) for students completing the doctoral program is 15 quarters.

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	8	15	21

Academic Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification

University Policy

Special Departmental or Program Policy

Master’s

Students who do not achieve a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA each quarter will be granted one quarter of academic probation in which they will be expected to bring their cumulative GPA up to a 3.0 by the end of the designated quarter. Students on academic probation are required to meet with their faculty advisers and course faculty to develop an individualized improvement plan. Subsequently, if a student’s cumulative GPA remains below a 3.0, the student will be recommended to the Graduate Division for academic disqualification from the program. Before the student is recommended for disqualification, the student will have the opportunity to appeal to the School of Nursing Student Affairs Committee.

A student may earn a non-passing grade in one nursing course throughout the program.

A non-passing grade is defined as a C- (73% or lower) for a MECN student.

For APRN students, a C- (73% or lower) is considered a non-passing grade in a theory course, and a B- (83% or lower) is considered a non-passing grade in a clinical course (usually 400-level courses).

In the case where a student has dropped a class to avoid a failing grade, the student will be expected to abide by the academic plan and directives set forth by the Student Affairs Committee.

The student who receives a non-passing grade in a Nursing course would be expected to repeat that course when it is next offered (usually the following academic year). Since many nursing courses are prerequisite to other nursing courses, it is likely that a student will be delayed in degree completion as a result of a non-passing grade in one class.

A student will be recommended for academic disqualification from the program, regardless of the overall cumulative GPA, in the following situations: a student fails to earn a passing grade during the second attempt at the same course, or a student earns two non-passing grades in different courses.

Ph.D. students

In addition to all criteria and reasons listed in the previous four paragraphs regarding minimum scholarship, a PhD student may be specifically recommended for academic disqualification for failure of the written or oral qualifying examination a second time or if three or more Unsatisfactory grades are earned in independent study course work in preparation for the dissertation. If the Oral Qualifying Examination is not passed the first time, the student may repeat the exam once on a date determined in consultation with the student’s committee.

Appendix I: MECN Requisite List

Course	Quarter Taken	Requisites
N150A	Fall Year 1	None
N150B	Winter Year 1	N150A
N171	Spring Year 2	N461, N465A, N465B, N465C, N462, N464, N463
N174	Fall Year 1	None
N204	Spring Year 1	None
N225A	Winter Year 1	None
N225B	Spring Year 1	N225A
N230A	Fall Year 1	None
N230B	Winter Year 1	N230A
N250	Fall Year 1	None
N252A	Winter Year 1	None
N260	Spring Year 1	None
N267	Spring Year 2	N268, N269
N268	Summer	N250, 465A, 465B
N269	Fall Year 2	N268, N465A, N465B, N465C
N461	Summer	N174, N260, N465A, N465B
N462	Fall Year 2	N174, N260, N465A, N465B
N463	Fall Year 2	N174, N260, N465A
N464	Fall Year 2	N174, N204, N260, N465A, N465B
N465A	Winter Year 1	N174, N230A
N465B	Spring Year 1	N174, N230B, N465A
N465C	Summer	N174, N204, N260, N465A, N465B
N467	Winter Year 2	N174, N268, N461, N462, N463, N464, N465A, N465B, N465C
N597	Spring Year 2	For comp exam: N268, N461, N462, N463, N464, N465A, N465B, N465C

Appendix II: APRN Requisite List

Course	Quarter Taken	Requisites
N200	Fall Year 1	None
N204	Fall Year 1	None
N211	Winter Year 1	None
N212	Fall Year 2	None
N213	Summer	None
N216A	Winter Year 1	N200, N231, co-requisites: N224, N416A
N216B	Spring Year 1	N200, N224, N231, N216A, co-requisite: N416B
N216C	Fall Year 2	N200, N224, N231, N216A, N216B, co-requisite: N416C
N220	Fall Year 1	None
N223	Winter Year 1	None
N224	Winter Year 1	N231
N231	Fall Year 1	None
N232	Winter Year 2	None
N236	Spring Year 1	None
N237A	Fall Year 2	N200, N224, N231, co-requisite N437A
N237B	Winter Year 2	N200, N224, N231, N237A, co-requisite N437B
N238A	Winter Year 1	N200, N224, N231, co-requisite N438A
N238B	Spring Year 1	N200, N224, N231, N238A, co-requisite N438B
N239A	Winter Year 1	N200, N231, co-requisites N224 and N429A
N239B	Spring Year 1	N200, N239A, co-requisite N224, N429A
N239C	Fall Year 2	N200, N224, N231, N239B, co-requisite N429B
N245	Spring Year 1	N200, N216A, N445A, co-requisites N445B and N216B
N264	Winter Year 2	N416A, N429A, N437A, or N439A
N267	Spring Year 2	N245, N269, N445
N269	Spring Year 1	None
N416A	Winter Year 1	N200, N440, co-requisite N216A
N416B	Spring Year 1	N416A, co-requisite N216B
N416C	Fall Year 2	N416B, co-requisite N216C
N416D	Winter Year 2	N416C
N416E	Spring Year 2	N416D
N429A	Winter Year 1	N200, N440, co-requisite N239A
N429B	Spring Year 1	N429A, co-requisite N239B
N429C	Fall Year 2	N429B, co-requisite N239C
N429D	Winter Year 2	N429C
N429E	Spring Year 2	N429D
N437A	Fall Year 2	N200, N440, co-requisite N237A
N437B	Winter Year 2	N437A, co-requisite N237B
N437C	Spring Year 2	N437B
N438A	Winter Year 1	N200, N440, co-requisite N238A
N438B	Spring Year 1	N438A, co-requisite N238B
N438C	Winter Year 2	N438B, co-requisite N238C
N439A	Winter Year 1	N200, N440, co-requisite N239A
N439B	Spring Year 1	N439A, co-requisite N239B
N439C	Fall Year 2	N439B, co-requisite N239C
N439D	Winter Year 2	N439C
N439E	Spring Year 2	N439D
N440	Fall Year 1	N231
N440 (Peds)	Winter Year 1	N231
N441	Spring Year 1	N440
N444	Winter Year 1	N440
N445	Varies	N220, N245
N597	Spring Year 2	All first-year coursework

Program Requirements for Music

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2023-2024 academic year.

Music

Herb Alpert School of Music

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Music offers the Master of Music (M.M.) degree, the Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degree, and the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Music.

Admissions Requirements

Master of Arts

Advising

Students must plan a program under the guidance of a composition ladder faculty member, as assigned by the head of the composition faculty area. Students are required to contact their faculty adviser at the beginning of each quarter to discuss degree progress. When the student’s thesis committee is selected, the chair of that committee becomes the primary adviser.

An ongoing evaluation of each student’s progress toward the degree is made by the faculty adviser each quarter in consultation with the student. Any problems are reviewed by the faculty in composition. Students are responsible for checking that their official study list is correct.

Areas of Study

The department offers two specializations for the M.A. degree in the fields of composition and composition for visual media. In consultation with their faculty adviser, students select their area of specialization in the second or third quarter of their first year of study.

Foreign Language Requirement

For the composition specialization, a reading knowledge of one foreign language is required. Students must select from French, German, Italian, or Spanish. Students whose native language is not English may use English as a foreign language. Students may fulfill the language requirement by 1) completing the third level of the regular undergraduate series or equivalent, 2) passing the 1G language study course with a grade of B (3.0) or better, 3) passing the UCLA Foreign Language Placement Test in one of those languages, or 4) passing a departmental examination in one of the required languages.

For the composition for visual media specialization, there is no foreign language requirement.

Course Requirements

Composition Specialization

Students are required to complete 48 units (normally 14 courses) of which 44 units (normally 13 courses) must be at the 200 level. Only four units of Music 596A may be applied toward the total unit requirement. No more than four units of 500-series courses may be applied toward the minimum graduate course requirement. Music 598 serves to guide the preparation of the thesis and should normally be taken during the last quarters of residence; however, this course cannot be applied to the minimum course requirements for the degree.

Required courses are Music 251, 266 (16 units), 253, 254, 255 and 256; three quarters of Music M201/Musicology M201; and one upper division or graduate elective course (at least four units) chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty adviser. Students also are required to complete Music 290 during their first year of residency. All required courses must be taken for a letter grade. In addition to the thesis, students are expected to produce other works involving both instrumental and vocal music for both solo and ensemble forces. Furthermore, students are responsible for the campus presentation of one original work during each year of residency.

Composition for Visual Media Specialization

Students are required to complete 54 units (normally 13 courses), of which 38 units (normally nine courses) must be at the 200 level. Only four units of Music 596A may be applied toward the total unit requirement. No more than four units of 500-series courses may be applied toward the minimum graduate course requirement. Upper division and/or graduate courses from the departments of Music, Musicology, or Ethnomusicology as recommended by the student’s faculty adviser may be applied toward the eight-unit elective requirement. Music 598 serves to guide the preparation of the thesis and normally should be taken during the last quarters of residence; however, this course cannot be applied to the minimum course requirement for the degree.

Required courses are Music C226, 251, 266 (for 12 units), 253 and 260A-260B; a minimum of eight units of Film, Television and Digital Media courses from an approved list of courses (students should see the graduate adviser); and an additional eight units of electives chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty adviser. Students also are required to complete Music 290 during their first year of residency. All required courses must be taken for a letter grade.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

None.

Thesis Plan

Every master’s degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research.

The thesis is a work proposed by the student and approved by the composition and theory faculty. The membership of the committee is approved by the faculty before the committee nomination is submitted to the Graduate Division. The chair and second member of the committee normally are from the area of composition. The third member normally is from the area of performance or conducting.

Time to Degree

The normal progress toward the degree for full-time students with no deficiencies upon admission to graduate status is as follows:

From graduate admission to completion of required courses: four quarters.
From graduate admission to award of the degree: six quarters.

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.A.	6	6	9

Master of Music

Advising

Students must plan a program under the guidance of the graduate adviser in their area of specialization. Students are required to contact their graduate adviser at the beginning of each quarter to review degree progress. The graduate adviser for each area of specialization is assigned by the chair on a yearly basis. Students may contact the Student Services Office at the beginning of fall quarter for the name of their adviser.

An ongoing evaluation of each student’s progress toward the degree is made by the graduate adviser each quarter in consultation with the student. Any problems are reviewed by the faculty in the student’s area of specialization. Students are responsible for checking MyUCLA to be sure their official study list is correct.

Areas of Study

The department offers the M.M. degree in all classical solo instruments, voice, jazz performance, collaborative piano, and conducting. Degrees in historical musicology, ethnomusicology, and systematic musicology are offered through other departments.

Foreign Language Requirement

There is no uniform language requirement. Students in voice, collaborative piano, and choral conducting must demonstrate their proficiency in German, French, Italian, or Spanish. Students specializing in repertoire where another language is vital may petition to use another language. This requirement may be satisfied by 1) passing a departmental examination, 2) completing the third level of the regular undergraduate series or equivalent, 3) passing the 1G language study course with a grade of B (3.0) or better, or 4) passing the UCLA Foreign Language Department Placement Test in one of those languages and being placed into level four or higher.

Course Requirements

Students are required to complete 63 units (normally 15-18 courses), 16 of which (4 courses) must be at the 200 level, 35 units (normally 10 courses) at the 400 level, and six units (1 course) at the 500 level. At least 57 of these units are specified below. With the exception of jazz performance (see specific requirements listed under Jazz Performance) the remaining elective units must be from 200-, 400-, or 500-series courses. Music 595A serves to guide the preparation of the master’s recital and should normally be taken during the last quarter of residence. All required courses, unless stated otherwise in the course description, should be taken for a letter grade. The department provides a maximum of six quarters of enrolled private instruction in instrumental/vocal performance; five quarters for jazz performance. If students do not complete the degree within that period and wish to continue instruction, they must do so at their own expense on a noncredit basis.

The course requirements are as follows:

Instrumental/Vocal Performance. A core of Music 202, 203, 204; one course from Music 261A through 261F; five quarters of 400-level performance instruction; three quarters of 400-level performance organizations utilizing the student’s major instrument; one quarter of Music 595A; and six additional units of course work (selected with advisement) from Music 261A through 261F, C271, 270E, 270F, 401, 596D, courses in pedagogy, Musicology 250, Ethnomusicology 271, 273, 275, 279, or other appropriate graduate courses. Instrumental performance students must take two quarters of Music C485. Vocal performance students must take two quarters of C458. Orchestral string players must take three additional terms of Music C481, which may be counted toward the elective units. Keyboard specialists must take three additional quarters of Music C485 in lieu of the performance organization requirement and must collaborate with at least one vocalist or vocal ensemble, one wind player or wind ensemble, and one string player or small string ensemble.

Jazz Performance. A core of Music 202, 203, 204; 261J; five quarters of Music 466 – jazz performance instruction; six quarters of Music 486 – jazz performance ensemble; one quarter of Music 595A; and four additional units of upper division or graduate course work (selected with advisement) from Ethnomusicology, Music, or Musicology.

Collaborative Piano. A core of Music 202, 203, 204; one course from Music 261A through 261F; five quarters of 400-level performance instruction; two quarters of Music C458; two quarters of Music C455; one quarter of Music C450; one quarter of 400-level performance organization; one quarter of Music 595A; and four additional units of course work (selected with advisement) from Music 261A through 261F, C271, 270E, 270F, 401, 596D, courses in pedagogy, Musicology 250, Ethnomusicology 271, 273, 275, 279, or other appropriate graduate courses

Conducting. A core of Music 202, 203, 204; one course from Music 261A through 261F; five quarters of 400-level conducting instruction; three quarters of 400-level performance organizations utilizing the student’s major instrument; two quarters of Music C485; Music 595A; and six additional units of course work (selected with advisement) from Music 261A through 261F, C271, 270E, 270F, 401, 596D, courses in pedagogy, Musicology 250, and Ethnomusicology 271, 273, 275, 279, or other appropriate graduate courses. Conducting students may substitute two additional quarters of 400-level performance organizations for the C485 requirement.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

After completing one year of course work and three quarters of performance/conducting instruction, students must submit the program for the master’s recital for approval. Upon approval of this program, students may book a campus facility for the recital and request that a master’s committee be formed. The committee consists of the student’s master teacher and two other department faculty in related areas of instruction. Two of the three committee members must be full-time Senate faculty. The committee oversees the preparation of the recital and adjudicates the recital itself.

The individual project consists of a master’s recital. Students present a final master’s recital. If, in the opinion of a student’s master teacher, the student is not prepared to present a recital at the level of what is normally expected of a student who completes the M.M. degree, the recital may be postponed. An audio recording of the recital is archived in the Music Library.

Thesis Plan

None.

Time-to-Degree

The normal progress toward the degree for full-time students with no deficiencies upon admissions is as follows:

From graduate admission to completion of required courses: six quarters.
From graduate admission to award of the degree: six quarters (nine quarter maximum).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.M.	6	6	9

Doctoral Degrees

Doctor of Philosophy

Advising

Students must plan a program under the head of the composition faculty who serves as the faculty adviser. Students are required to contact their adviser at the beginning of each quarter to discuss degree progress.

An ongoing evaluation of students’ progress toward the degree is made by the faculty adviser each quarter in consultation with the student. Any problems are reviewed by the faculty in composition. Students are responsible for checking MyUCLA to be sure their official study list is correct.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

The department offers the Ph.D. degree in the field of composition, composition for visual media, and composition with a cognate in ethnomusicology. In consultation with their faculty adviser, students select their area of specialization in the second or third quarter of their first year of study.

Foreign Language Requirement

A reading knowledge of two foreign languages is required. Students must select from German, French, Italian, Latin, Russian, or Spanish. Students whose native language is not English may use English or their native language as one of the foreign languages; the other language must be selected from the above group of languages. Students who elect a cognate in ethnomusicology may petition to substitute a language related to their area of research for one of the required languages. Students may fulfill the language requirement by 1) completing the third level of the regular undergraduate series or equivalent, 2) passing the 1G language study course with a grade of B (3.0) or better, 3) passing the UCLA Foreign Language Department Placement Test in one of those languages and being placed into level four or higher, or 4) passing a departmental examination in one of the required languages.

Course Requirements

Students may petition to their area on the advice of their faculty adviser for exemption from specific requirements on the basis of equivalent work done at the M.A. level.

Students may complete the residency requirement by taking 100- or 200- series courses as recommended by the faculty adviser.

Composition. Required courses for the Ph.D. degree in composition are: one course in Musicology at the 200 level whose topic covers some aspect of music after 1900, excluding performance practice seminars; three quarters of Music M201/Musicology M201; Music 204, 251, 266 (24 units), 253, 254, 255, and 256. To satisfy the breadth area requirement, students must take two additional graduate research seminars from the department of Musicology (not including performance practice seminars), Ethnomusicology, or another outside department, chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty adviser. Students also are required to complete Music 290 during their first year of residency. All required courses must be taken for a letter grade.

Students who received the M.A. degree in composition from UCLA take a minimum of one additional quarter of Music 290, as well as an additional 12 units of Music 266 in the Ph.D. program in composition. Students who received the M.A. degree in composition elsewhere are required to take 24 units of Music 266.

In addition to the dissertation, students are expected to produce other works involving both instrumental and vocal music for both solo and ensemble forces. Furthermore, students are responsible for the campus presentation of one original work during each year of residency.

Cognate in Ethnomusicology. If students have had no prior course work in ethnomusicology, they are required to take Ethnomusicology 20A-20B-20C. They are also encouraged to participate in the ethnomusicology performance organizations (Ethnomusicology 91A through 91Z and 161A through 161Z). Students may substitute Ethnomusicology 201 for Music 204 and Ethnomusicology 282 or 283 for Music 253. All required courses must be taken for a letter grade.

Composition for Visual Media. Required courses for the Ph.D. degree in composition for visual media are: three quarters of Music M201/Musicology M201; Music 204, 226, 251, 266 (20 units), 253, 255, 256, 260A, 260B, and three graduate seminars from the Department of Film, Television and Digital Media, chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty adviser. To satisfy the breadth area requirement, students must take two additional graduate seminars from the Department of Film, Television and Digital Media, chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty adviser. Students also are required to complete Music 290 during their first year of residency. All required courses must be taken for a letter grade.

Students who received the M.A. degree in composition for visual media from UCLA take a minimum of one additional quarter of Music 290, an additional three quarters of 266, and two seminars in film studies offered by the Department of Film, Television and Digital Media, chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty adviser.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Departmental Written Examinations. When the student and the guidance committee believe the student is ready to take the qualifying examinations, the student should submit a schedule to the Student Services Office and the committee members listing the order in which the examinations are to be taken. Written examinations ordinarily are taken in the first two weeks of winter quarter, and are scheduled in consultation with the guidance committee and with the Student Services Office. Normally the four written examinations are spread over a two-week period but should be completed within three weeks. Repeat examinations may be scheduled in consultation with the guidance committee and after a stipulated period of time if they do not pass the written exam. Students can retake the written exam one time.

For students in the Ph.D. degree in composition, with or without the ethnomusicology cognate, the written examinations consist of the following: (1) analysis of pre-1900 music; (2) analysis of post-1900 music; (3) topics in 20th-century music; and (4) the breadth area. The written exam guidance committee normally consists of the faculty members who taught the following courses that the student completed (Music 254 or Music 255, Music 256, Musicology 200-level music after 1900), and the student’s principal breadth adviser.

For students in the Ph.D. degree in composition for visual media, the written examinations consist of the following: (1) analysis of pre-1900 music; (2) analysis of post-1900 music; (3) topics in music for visual media; and (4) the breadth area. For students in the Ph.D. degree in composition for visual media, the written exam guidance committee normally consists of the faculty members who taught the following courses that the student completed (Music 255, Music 256, Music 260A or Music 260B), and the student’s principal breadth adviser.

The written exam guidance committee consists of three ladder faculty. In the event that the manner in which the student completes the above courses results in a committee of four faculty members, one may be dropped. In the event that the manner in which the student completes the above courses results in a committee of two faculty members, one from the composition area must be added, in consultation with the faculty adviser.

Departmental Oral Qualifying Examination. Upon successful completion of the written examinations, a departmental oral qualifying examination is scheduled. The oral examination consists of two parts: (1) defense of the four written examinations before the guidance committee (listed above); and (2) a presentation of analyses of typically four compositions specified by the composition faculty in the previous year, before the composition faculty.

The first departmental oral examination ordinarily is taken in the sixth or seventh week of winter quarter, and is scheduled in consultation with the written exam guidance committee and with the Student Services Office. The second departmental oral examination ordinarily is scheduled by the composition faculty for the tenth week of winter quarter.

University Oral Qualifying Examination. On completion of the departmental qualifying examinations and the second language, the student may submit the dissertation topic and request for a doctoral committee for approval. The dissertation topic and the composition of the doctoral committee are approved by the faculty before the committee nomination is submitted to the Graduate Division. Once the committee is formally appointed the student is eligible to take the University Oral Qualifying Examination where they will defend their dissertation topic in front of their approved committee.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy and awarded the Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

For students with a cognate in ethnomusicology, the dissertation composition should reflect the ethnomusicological area interests of the student and draw from a variety of traditional, classical, Western, and/or non-Western sources; a public reading of this composition is required. The monograph should deal with a cross-cultural, 20th-century work.

For composition for visual media students, the dissertation composition will be a newly-composed score for a new (student or commercial) film, to be chosen and approved from qualified film making schools, which the candidate’s committee must approve of before composition commences. The film would ideally be a feature, although a documentary of at least 30 minute duration may be acceptable; the student must write at least 15 minutes of underscore accepted by the director and included in the final mix. The written dissertation monograph will be an essay on some aspect of film composition, related to the thesis dissertation film or on an unrelated film music subject, approved by the candidate’s committee. A public screening of the completed thesis dissertation film is required.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

Time-to-Degree

Progress toward the degree for full-time students with no deficiencies upon admission to graduate status, is as follows:

(If applying to the PhD from the UCLA MA program) From graduate admission to admission to the doctoral program (approval of the Form I): four quarters.
From graduate admission to departmental written and oral qualifying examinations: six quarters.
From graduate admission to approval of the dissertation proposal and advancement to candidacy: eight quarters.
From advancement to candidacy to final oral examination: four quarters.
From graduate admission to award of the degree: 12 quarters.

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	8	12	18

Doctor of Musical Arts

Advising

Students must plan a program under the guidance of the faculty adviser in their area of specialization. Students are required to contact their adviser at the beginning of each quarter to discuss degree progress. The faculty adviser for each area of specialization is assigned by the chair on a yearly basis. Students may contact the Student Services Office at the beginning of Fall Quarter for the name of their adviser. An ongoing evaluation of students’ progress toward the degree is made by the graduate adviser each quarter in consultation with the student. Any problems are reviewed by the faculty in students’ areas of specialization. Students are responsible for checking MyUCLA to be sure their official study list is correct.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

The department offers the D.M.A. degree in all classical solo instruments, voice, collaborative piano, and conducting.

Foreign Language Requirement

A reading knowledge of one foreign language from German, French, Italian, or Spanish is required. Students specializing in repertoire where another language is vital may petition to use another language. Students may fulfill this requirement by 1) passing a departmental examination in one of the required languages, 2) completing the third level of the regular undergraduate series at UCLA or its equivalent from another institution, 3) passing the 1G language study course with a grade of B (3.0) or better, or 4) passing the UCLA Foreign Language Department Placement Test in one of those languages, and being placed into level four or higher. This requirement must be completed by the end of the student’s second year of residency.

Students in voice, collaborative piano, and choral conducting must demonstrate reading proficiency in a second language by one of the means listed above.

Course Requirements

Students are required to complete 95 units (normally 22 courses), 24 of which (6 courses) must be at the 200 level, 57 units (13 courses) at the 400 level, and 10 units (2 courses) at the 500 level. 94 of these units are specified below. The electives must be academic courses in the School of Music from 200-, 400-, or 500-series courses. 4 units of electives are required. Music 599 serves to guide the preparation of the dissertation and should normally be taken during the final year of residence. Students who received the M.M. degree at UCLA are expected to complete at least 25 additional units and two recitals beyond the M.M. requirements, subject to the specific requirements of their area of specialization. The department provides a maximum of nine quarters of enrolled private instruction in performance. Students who were admitted to the program with a master’s degree from another institution may petition for up to a year of private lessons (18 units) and up to 12 quarter units of academic courses to be applied to D.M.A. requirements.

Two preliminary recitals are required; they are overseen by the department’s Graduate Committee for Performance. The first-year recital is a standard program and is normally performed on campus. The second-year entrepreneurial recital is an individual project in public performance and is performed outside the UCLA campus. All scheduling, publicity, program notes, and ticketing must be arranged by the student without assistance from the supervising instructor.

The requirements for the D.M.A. degree are:

Instrumental/Vocal Performance. A core of Music 202, 203, 204; three courses from Music 261A through 261F; eight quarters of 400-level performance instruction; one quarter of Music 401, 595B, and 599; the appropriate course from Music 469 (instrumental students) or 471 (vocal students); one additional course from Music 261A through 261F, C271, 270E, 270F, 596D, additional courses in pedagogy, Musicology 250, and Ethnomusicology 271, 273, 275, 279, or other appropriate graduate courses selected with advisement. Instrumental performance students must take three quarters of Music C485. Vocal performance students must take three quarters of C458. Keyboard specialists are required to collaborate with at least one vocalist or vocal ensemble, one wind player or small ensemble, and one string player or small string ensemble within the context of the Music C485 requirement. All required courses, unless stated otherwise in the course description, should be taken for a letter grade.

Collaborative Piano. A core of Music 202, 203, 204; three courses from Music 261A through 261F; eight quarters of 400-level performance instruction; one quarter of Music C455 and C458; one quarter of 400-level performance organization; one quarter of Music 401, 595B, and 599; one quarter of Music 469; one additional course from Music 261A through 261F, C271, 270E, 270F, 596D, additional courses in pedagogy, Musicology 250, Ethnomusicology 271, 273, 275, 279, or other appropriate graduate courses selected with advisement. All required courses, unless stated otherwise in the course description, should be taken for a letter grade.

Conducting. A core of Music 202, 203, 204; three courses from Music 261A through 261F; eight quarters of 400-level conducting instruction; three quarters of 400-level chamber ensembles; one quarter of Music 401, 595B, and 599; one course from Music 469 or 471; one additional course from Music 261A through 261F, C271, 270E, 270F, 596D, courses in pedagogy, Musicology 250, 596, Ethnomusicology 271, 273, 275, 279, or other appropriate graduate courses selected with advisement. Conducting students must take two quarters of Music C485 or three quarters of 400-level performance organizations. All required courses, unless stated otherwise in the course description, should be taken for a letter grade.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Departmental written and oral qualifying examinations are required. After the foreign language requirement is met, the student may schedule the written qualifying examination and submit the request for a doctoral committee and the proposal for the dissertation. The written qualifying examination is generally taken after the completion of coursework, in the spring quarter of the second year or the fall quarter of the third year. This written examination, which is a timed exam, requires the student to bring together the material covered in the core course sequence of Music 202, 203, 204, one of the performance practice seminars, and other relevant course work in the research for and writing of a scholarly essay on a given work or topic. Students choose the historical era of the examination; they do not know the work or topic beforehand. This written examination is graded by the Graduate Committee and the student’s master teacher.

The university oral qualifying examination with the student’s doctoral committee consists of a discussion/demonstration of portions of the relevant works to be presented in the final recital program as well as the New Music Forum premier work. The oral qualifying exam also includes a defense of the dissertation topic and its relationship to the final recital.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

The final doctoral recital (a full professional recital of approximately 60 minutes of music) takes place after the final oral examination (defense of dissertation).

Time-to-Degree

The normal progress toward the degree for full-time students with no deficiencies upon admission to the D.M.A. program is as follows:

From admission to the written qualifying examinations: six quarters
From admission to the oral qualifying examinations and advancement to candidacy: seven quarters
From admission to the award of the degree: nine quarters

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
D.M.A.	7	9	12

Academic Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification

University Policy

Special Departmental or Program Policy

In addition to the standards reasons outlined above, a student may specifically be recommended for academic disqualification because of (1) a terminal master’s degree recommendation from the student’s master’s committee; (2) inadequate scholarship as recommended by the Graduate Committee in the student’s area; or (3) inadequate progress toward the degree as recommended by the student’s area.

In all cases, the student’s academic progress is discussed in depth by the council or committee that made the recommendation. A recommendation for academic disqualification is forwarded to the departmental chair for review and decision. The student is notified of a recommendation for academic disqualification in writing.

A student may appeal a recommendation for academic disqualification by stating the reasons in writing to the departmental chair. The chair transmits the appeal to the student’s area for consideration.

Program Requirements for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (Aerospace Eng)

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2024-2025 academic year.

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering offers the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Manufacturing Engineering, the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Mechanical Engineering, and the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Aerospace Engineering.

Aerospace Engineering

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degree

Advising

Each department in the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science has a graduate adviser. A current list of graduate advisers can be obtained from the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, 6426 Boelter Hall, Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Students are assigned a faculty adviser upon admission to the School. Advisers may be changed upon written request from the student. All HSSEAS faculty serve as advisers.

New students should arrange an appointment as early as possible with the faculty adviser to plan the proposed program of study toward the M.S. or Ph.D. degree. Continuing students are required to confer with the adviser during the time of enrollment each quarter so that progress can be assessed and the study list approved.

Based on the quarterly transcripts, student records are reviewed at the end of each quarter by the departmental graduate adviser and Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs. Special attention is given if students are on probation. If their progress is unsatisfactory, students are informed of this in writing by the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs.

Students are strongly urged to consult with the departmental student services office staff and/or the School’s Office of Academic and Student Affairs regarding procedures, requirements and the implementation of policies. In particular, advice should be sought on advancement to candidacy for the M.S. degree, on the procedures for taking Ph.D. written and oral examinations, if the Ph.D. degree is the ultimate degree objective, and on the use of the Filing Fee.

Areas of Study

Dynamics; fluid mechanics; heat and mass transfer; micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS); structural and solid mechanics; systems and control.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

At least nine courses (36 units) are required, of which at least five (20 units) must be graduate courses. For the thesis plan, seven of the nine must be formal courses, including at least four from the 200 series. The remaining two may be 598 courses involving work on the thesis. For the capstone plan, no units of 500-series courses may be applied toward the minimum course requirement. The courses should be chosen so that the breadth requirements and the requirements at the graduate level are met. The breadth requirements are only applicable to students who do not have a B.S. degree from an ABET-accredited aerospace or mechanical engineering program.

Undergraduate Courses. No lower division courses may be applied toward graduate degrees. In addition, the following upper division courses are not applicable toward graduate degrees: Chemical Engineering 102A, 199; Civil Engineering 106A, 108, 199; Computer Science M152A, 152B, M171L, 199; Electrical Engineering 100, 101, 102, 103, 110L, M116L, 199; Materials Science and Engineering 110, 120, 130, 131, 131L, 132, 140, 141L, 150, 160, 161L, 199; Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 101, 102, 103, 105A, 105D, 107, 188, 194, 199.

Breadth Requirements. Students are required to take at least three courses from the following four categories: (1) Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 154A or 154B or 154S; (2) 150B or 150P; (3) 155 or 166A or 169A; (4) 161A or 171A.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

The comprehensive examination is offered in either written or oral format. A committee to administer the examination consists of the academic adviser as chair and two other faculty members; at least two members must be from within the department. Students may, in consultation with their adviser and the master’s committee, select one of the following options for the examination: (1) take and pass the first part of the doctoral written qualifying examination as the master’s comprehensive examination; (2) conduct research or design a project and submit a final report to the master’s committee; (3) take and pass three extra examination questions offered separately from each of the final examinations of three graduate courses, to be selected by the committee from a set of common department courses; or (4) take and pass an oral examination administered by the M.S. committee. In case of failure, students may be reexamined once with the consent of the graduate adviser.

Thesis Plan

Every master’s degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research.

The thesis must describe some original piece of research that has been done under the supervision of the thesis committee. Students would normally start to plan the thesis at least one year before the award of the M.S. degree is expected. There is no examination under the thesis plan.

Time-to-Degree

The average length of time for students in the M.S. program is five quarters. The maximum time allowed for completing the M.S. degree is three years from the time of admission to the M.S. program in the School.

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.S.	3	5	9

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Students are assigned a faculty adviser upon admission to the School. Advisers may be changed upon written request from the student. All HSSEAS faculty serve as advisers.

Students are strongly urged to consult with the departmental student services office staff and/or the School’s Office of Academic and Student Affairs regarding procedures, requirements and on the implementation of the policies. In particular, advice should be sought on advancement to candidacy for the M.S. degree, on the procedures for taking Ph.D. written and oral examinations, and on the use of the Filing Fee.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Dynamics; fluid mechanics; heat and mass transfer; manufacturing and design (Mechanical Engineering only); micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS); structural and solid mechanics; systems and control.

Ph.D. students may propose ad hoc major fields. An ad hoc major field must differ substantially from established major fields and satisfy one of the following two conditions:

(1) the field is interdisciplinary in nature;

(2) the field represents an important research area for which there is no established major field in the department. This condition most often applies to recently evolving research areas or to areas for which there are too few faculty to maintain an established major field.

Students in an ad hoc major field must be sponsored by at least three faculty members, at least two of whom must be from the department.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

The basic program of study for the Ph.D. degree is built around major and minor fields. The established major fields are listed above, and a detailed syllabus describing each Ph.D. major field can be obtained at the Student Affairs Office.

The program of study for the Ph.D. degree requires the student to perform original research leading to a doctoral dissertation and to master a body of knowledge that encompasses material from the student’s major field and breadth material from outside the major field. The body of knowledge should include (1) six major-field courses, at least four of which must be graduate courses; (2) one minor field; (3) any three additional courses, at least two of which must be graduate courses that enhance the study of the major or minor field.

The major field syllabus advises the student as to which courses contain the required knowledge, and a student usually prepares for the written qualifying examination (formerly referred to as the preliminary examination) by taking these courses. However, a student can acquire such knowledge by taking similar courses at other universities or even by self-study.

A minor field embraces a body of knowledge equivalent to three courses, at least two of which must be graduate courses. Minor fields are often subsets of major fields, and minor field requirements are then described in the syllabus of the appropriate major field. Established minor fields with no corresponding major field can also be used such as applied mathematics, and applied plasma physics and fusion engineering. Also, an ad hoc field can be used in exceptional circumstances, such as when certain knowledge is desirable for a student’s program of study that is not available in established minor fields.

Grades of B- or better, with a grade-point average of at least 3.33 in all courses included in the minor field, and the three additional courses mentioned above are required. If the student fails to satisfy the minor field requirements through course work, a minor field examination may be taken (once only).

For information on completing the Engineering degree, see Engineering Schoolwide Programs in Program Requirements for UCLA Graduate Degrees.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

After mastering the body of knowledge defined in the major field, the student takes a written qualifying (preliminary) examination covering this knowledge. The student must have been formally admitted to the Ph.D. program or admitted subject to completing the M.S. degree by the end of the quarter following the quarter in which the examination is given. This examination must be taken within the first two calendar years from the time of admission to the Ph.D. program. The student must be registered during the quarter in which the examination is given and be in good academic standing (minimum grade-point average of 3.25). The student’s major field proposal must be completed prior to taking the examination. Students may not take an examination more than twice. Students in an ad hoc major field must pass a written qualifying examination that is approximately equivalent in scope, length, and level to the written qualifying examination for an established major field.

After passing the written qualifying examination, the student must take the University Oral Qualifying Examination within four calendar years from the time of admission to the Ph.D. program. The nature and content of the University Oral Qualifying Examination are at the discretion of the doctoral committee, but include a review of the prospectus of the dissertation. The examination may include a broad inquiry into the student’s preparation for research. A doctoral committee consists of a minimum of four members. Three members, including the chair, are inside members and must hold appointments at UCLA in Aerospace Engineering. The outside member must be a UCLA faculty member who does not hold an appointment in the student’s department.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation)

Not required for all students in the program. The decision as to whether a defense is required is made by the doctoral committee.

Time-to-Degree

From admission to graduate status (includes M.S. degree) to award of the Ph.D. degree: 18 quarters (normative time to degree).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	12	18	24

Academic Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification

University Policy

Special Departmental or Program Policy

A recommendation for academic disqualification is reviewed by the School’s Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs.

Master’s

In addition to the standard reasons noted above, a student may be recommended for academic disqualification for

(1) Failure to maintain a grade point average of 3.0 in all courses and in those in the 200 series.

(2) Failure to maintain a grade point average of 3.0 in any two consecutive terms.

(3) Failure of the comprehensive examination.

(4) Failure to complete the thesis to the satisfaction of the committee members.

(5) Failure to satisfy the breadth and graduate-level requirements.

(6) Failure to complete the requirements for the M.S. degree within the three-year time limit.

Doctoral

In addition to the standard reasons noted above, a student may be recommended for academic disqualification for:

(1) Failure to maintain a grade point average of 3.25 in all courses and in those in the 200 series.

(2) Failure in the major field written qualifying examination, or failure to take the major field written examination within two calendar years from the time of admission to the Ph.D. program.

(3) Failure in a written minor field examination after failure to attain a grade point average of 3.33 in the minor field course work.

(4) Failure of the University Oral Qualifying Examination, or failure to take the University Oral Qualifying Examination within four calendar years from the time of admission to the Ph.D. program.

(5) Failure to complete the requirements for the Ph.D. within four calendar years after passing the University Oral Qualifying Examination and failure to take this examination again.

(6) Failure in the final oral examination (defense of the dissertation).

(7) Failure to obtain permission to repeat an examination from an examining committee.

Program Requirements for Music

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2024-2025 academic year.

Music

Herb Alpert School of Music

Graduate Degrees

The Department of Music offers the Master of Music (M.M.) degree, the Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degree, and the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Music.

Admissions Requirements

Master of Arts

Advising

Areas of Study

Foreign Language Requirement

For the composition for visual media specialization, there is no foreign language requirement.

Course Requirements

Composition Specialization

Composition for Visual Media Specialization

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

None.

Thesis Plan

Every master’s degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research.

Time to Degree

The normal progress toward the degree for full-time students with no deficiencies upon admission to graduate status is as follows:

From graduate admission to completion of required courses: four quarters.
From graduate admission to award of the degree: six quarters.

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.A.	6	6	9

Master of Music

Advising

Areas of Study

Foreign Language Requirement

Course Requirements

The course requirements are as follows:

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

Thesis Plan

None.

Time-to-Degree

The normal progress toward the degree for full-time students with no deficiencies upon admissions is as follows:

From graduate admission to completion of required courses: six quarters.
From graduate admission to award of the degree: six quarters (nine quarter maximum).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.M.	6	6	9

Doctoral Degrees

Doctor of Philosophy

Advising

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Foreign Language Requirement

Course Requirements

Students may petition to their area on the advice of their faculty adviser for exemption from specific requirements on the basis of equivalent work done at the M.A. level.

Students may complete the residency requirement by taking 100- or 200- series courses as recommended by the faculty adviser.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy and awarded the Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

Time-to-Degree

Progress toward the degree for full-time students with no deficiencies upon admission to graduate status, is as follows:

(If applying to the PhD from the UCLA MA program) From graduate admission to admission to the doctoral program (approval of the Form I): four quarters.
From graduate admission to departmental written and oral qualifying examinations: six quarters.
From graduate admission to approval of the dissertation proposal and advancement to candidacy: eight quarters.
From advancement to candidacy to final oral examination: four quarters.
From graduate admission to award of the degree: 12 quarters.

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	8	12	18

Doctor of Musical Arts

Advising

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

The department offers the D.M.A. degree in all classical solo instruments, voice, collaborative piano, and conducting.

Foreign Language Requirement

Students in voice, collaborative piano, and choral conducting must demonstrate reading proficiency in a second language by one of the means listed above.

Course Requirements

The requirements for the D.M.A. degree are:

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation)

Required for all students in the program.

The final doctoral recital (a full professional recital of approximately 60 minutes of music) takes place after the final oral examination (defense of dissertation).

Time-to-Degree

The normal progress toward the degree for full-time students with no deficiencies upon admission to the D.M.A. program is as follows:

From admission to the written qualifying examinations: six quarters
From admission to the oral qualifying examinations and advancement to candidacy: seven quarters
From admission to the award of the degree: nine quarters

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
D.M.A.	7	9	12

Academic Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification

University Policy

Special Departmental or Program Policy

Program Requirements for Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (Aerospace Eng)

Applicable only to students admitted during the 2025-2026 academic year.

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science

Graduate Degrees

Aerospace Engineering

Admissions Requirements

Master’s Degree

Advising

Students are assigned a faculty adviser upon admission to the School. Advisers may be changed upon written request from the student. All HSSEAS faculty serve as advisers.

Areas of Study

Dynamics; fluid mechanics; heat and mass transfer; micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS); structural and solid mechanics; systems and control.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

Thesis Plan

Every master’s degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research.

Time-to-Degree

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
M.S.	3	5	9

Doctoral Degree

Advising

Students are assigned a faculty adviser upon admission to the School. Advisers may be changed upon written request from the student. All HSSEAS faculty serve as advisers.

Students are strongly urged to consult with the departmental student services office staff and/or the School’s Office of Academic and Student Affairs regarding procedures, requirements and on the implementation of the policies. In particular, advice should be sought on advancement to candidacy for the M.S. degree, on the procedures for taking Ph.D. written and oral examinations, and on the use of the Filing Fee.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Ph.D. students may propose ad hoc major fields. An ad hoc major field must differ substantially from established major fields and satisfy one of the following two conditions:

(1) the field is interdisciplinary in nature;

Students in an ad hoc major field must be sponsored by at least three faculty members, at least two of whom must be from the department.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

For information on completing the Engineering degree, see Engineering Schoolwide Programs in Program Requirements for UCLA Graduate Degrees.

Teaching Experience

Not required.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations.

Doctoral Dissertation

Final Oral Examination (Defense of Dissertation)

Not required for all students in the program. The decision as to whether a defense is required is made by the doctoral committee.

Time-to-Degree

From admission to graduate status (includes M.S. degree) to award of the Ph.D. degree: 18 quarters (normative time to degree).

DEGREE	NORMATIVE TIME TO ATC (Quarters)	NORMATIVE TTD	MAXIMUM TTD
Ph.D.	12	18	24