For the Ph.D. program in Culture and Performance, all applicants are required to follow the University's graduate admissions criteria and requirements. This includes that applicants are required to have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized college or university. Applicants to the Ph.D. program also are normally expected to hold a master's degree or its equivalent from a recognized college or university. Applicants for the Ph.D. without an M.A. degree in a related field will fulfill our department’s M.A. requirements toward their Ph.D. The program requires full-time attendance.
In addition to the Application for Graduate Admission, the Department has its own screening procedure: statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, official transcript from each college or university at which work has been completed, and a writing sample (see FAQ for more information). The General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required. Please do not send your GRE scores because they will not be reviewed. Samples of creative work relevant to proposed graduate research are welcome by not required.
The Department does not offer a terminal M.A. in Culture and Performance. A master's degree is not required to apply or to enter our program. Those entering without an M.A. degree must request to continue into the Ph.D. program after meeting the requirements for the M.A. degree.
Deadlines
November 15th of the year prior to entry is the official deadline for filing an application for fall quarter enrollment. This applies to all Ph.D. and M.A. applicants to the Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance. Applicants are required to apply online using the application on the Graduate Division website. Some departmental application materials, which include the Statement of Purpose, writing sample and three letters of recommendation, are uploaded via the website. Other additional materials, which include official transcripts, and any optional creative materials that cannot be uploaded to the website, are to be sent directly to the Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance. Review of applications that are not complete by the November 15th deadline cannot be guaranteed. Admission to the program is for fall quarter only. Students who are admitted but do not enroll may reapply, but are not guaranteed admission at a later date.
International Applicants
Students whose native language is not English are required to submit scores received on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as part of their application. Applications are not considered complete without the test scores. Because processing, sending, and receiving TOEFL and IELTS test scores often takes several weeks, international students must schedule their examination no later than September in order to meet the Departmental deadlines. TOEFL and/or IELTS scores should be sent directly to the Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance Admissions Office and to Graduate Division. For further information about TOEFL requirements, please see UCLA Graduate Division English Requirements.
Funding Opportunities
Entering students apply for fellowships in conjunction with their admission application. Nominations for campus-wide awards as well as Departmental support are made by faculty and forwarded to the necessary faculty committees for decision. Factors considered include academic strength, creative work, and in some cases, financial need. We are unable to speak about funding specifics until after determining admitted cohorts. Applicants are generally advised to apply for their desired graduate programs first and consider the financial costs of their options after admissions decisions are made.
UCLA Graduate Division provides a comprehensive Graduate Student Financial Support handbook to acquaint you with the range of opportunities to support graduate study at UCLA. The Graduate Division also provides a search database for additional opportunities. UCLA GRAPES allows you to search for awards from among 625 scholarships, grants, fellowships, and postdoctoral awards.
For federal financial aid, please visit the UCLA Financial Aid and Scholarships Office for eligibility requirements, application, and additional information.
Contact Us
Have a look at the FAQs below. If you have further questions, you can contact our Graduate Student Affairs Officer, Courtney Newman, by clicking here.