Navigating the UCLA Music Industry Major: A Comprehensive Guide

The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music offers a dynamic Music Industry program designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in the ever-evolving music business. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the program's requirements, application process, curriculum, and resources, drawing upon the most current information available.

Planning Your Degree Path

Effective degree planning is crucial for success in the Music Industry major. UCLA provides several tools to help students stay on track and make informed decisions about their academic journey.

DARS (Degree Audit Reporting System): This dynamic platform allows students to track their progress toward fulfilling degree requirements. DARS helps identify completed courses, remaining requirements, and potential roadblocks, ensuring students are well-informed about their academic standing.
MyUCLA Class Planner: Students can use MyUCLA Class Planner to map out their quarterly schedules and enroll in classes during their assigned enrollment passes. This tool helps visualize course load, manage time effectively, and secure desired courses.
Bruin Learn: This platform provides modules with information on degree planning, DARS usage, and the process of adding a second degree program. Bruin Learn serves as a central hub for academic guidance and support.
Undergraduate Sample Degree Planners: The School of Music offers sample degree planners based on a four-year timeline. These planners provide a general roadmap for completing the major, outlining recommended courses and milestones for each year. Transfer students who matriculate as third-year students should refer to their individual two-year sample degree planner and consult with their advisor for personalized guidance. These sample degree planners can be accessed as view-only Google Drive folders, allowing students to make personal copies for editing and customization.

For personalized assistance, students are encouraged to contact an advisor who can provide tailored guidance based on individual circumstances and academic goals.

Enrollment Strategies

Strategic enrollment is essential for timely degree progress and access to desired courses. Students are responsible for monitoring their enrollment passes and enrolling in courses promptly. Missing enrollment times can decrease the chances of securing spots in required and desired courses.

While schedule adjustments may be necessary at the beginning of each quarter, major changes to the Study List should be completed by Friday of Week 2. Joining a class after Week 2 can negatively impact course success, and dropping a course after Week 2 may require a petition.

To maintain satisfactory academic progress, School of Music students must enroll in a minimum of 14 units each academic quarter (Fall, Winter, Spring). Enrolling in fewer units without approval for part-time status may lead to academic difficulty. The maximum unit load is 20 units during Fall, Winter, and Spring, and 16 units during Summer Sessions. Students seeking to exceed these limits must submit a Unit Increase Petition.

PTE (Permission to Enroll) numbers are five-digit codes that allow students to enroll in courses despite restrictions based on major, year, or prerequisites. Instructors provide PTE numbers for School of Music courses. However, obtaining a PTE does not guarantee enrollment, especially if the course is restricted by major or is closed. For courses restricted by "Instructor Consent," a PTE is mandatory. After the add class deadline, an Enrollment Petition is required to add a course, even with a PTE.

Internship and independent study courses (195, 197, 199) utilize contracts to define the scope and topic of study. Students must generate a course contract on MyUCLA after selecting a course and securing a faculty supervisor. The completed contract must be submitted to the department offering the course. Late additions of contract courses are subject to fees.

Adding Another Degree Program

UCLA undergraduates have the option to add additional degree programs with proper planning and approval. School of Music students must establish residency within the School of Music before applying for an additional degree program. While the application may be submitted after residency is established, preparation can begin as early as the first quarter.

The process involves several steps:

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Reviewing the DARS: Assess the requirements needed to complete the current major.
Running a What-If DARS: Explore the requirements for the proposed additional degree program.
Creating a Sample Degree Planner: Develop a comprehensive plan that integrates both the current and proposed programs.

Students interested in changing their primary major to a program outside the School of Music should consult the steps for exiting the School of Music.

Admission to the Music Industry Major

Admission to the Music Industry major is a competitive process with specific requirements for both first-year and transfer applicants.

UC Application:

Applicants must complete the UC Application, which opens on August 1 and can be submitted from October 1 to December 2.
Only applicants who designate Music Industry as their first-choice major on the UC Application will be considered. UCLA does not consider alternate majors or allow students to enter as double majors at the time of application.
Applicants must meet the minimum academic eligibility requirements for admission to the University of California.

School of Music Supplemental Application:

All Music Industry applicants must submit a supplemental application, which includes:

Personal statement responses: Applicants are asked to complete two written responses to two separate prompts.
Unofficial transcript(s)
Contact information for two referees: One should be a teacher, and the other can be an industry mentor or employer. This is not a reference letter requirement.
Writing sample: Submission of a writing sample is optional, but strongly recommended.
Video self-statement: Applicants are invited to add general context to their application (required).

The submission deadline for the Supplemental Application is typically in early December. Applicants will be notified of their status in late December. Those not selected for the final round interview process have the option to request a change of major, withdraw their application, or take no action and receive no offer of admission. Interviews are generally held in late January and early February.

Current UCLA students interested in the Music History & Industry BA may be eligible to transfer directly to the Music Industry BA. Contact the Office of Student Affairs for details. Other UCLA students may apply during the annual application cycle, but admission is highly competitive, and change of major applicants are not prioritized.

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Curriculum Overview

The Music Industry program offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the music business, combining academic study with practical experience. Courses are taught by industry experts who integrate current trends with real-world applications.

The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including:

Music publishing
Personal management
Film and television music
Internship opportunities
Filmmaking essentials
Cinematography
Music editing
Post-production

Students can also choose from a variety of electives to tailor their education to their specific interests.

Program Options

UCLA offers several Music Industry program options to cater to different student interests and career goals:

Music Industry BA: This program focuses on developing leadership skills for creative, executive, and entrepreneurial roles in the music industry.
Music History and Industry BA: This hybrid program offers a holistic understanding of music and the music industry. Note that this degree is no longer accepting applications.
Music Industry Minor: This program is open to all UCLA students and provides key knowledge in areas such as marketing, sales, and recording production.

Resources and Opportunities

The UCLA Music Industry program provides numerous resources and opportunities for students to engage with the music industry and enhance their learning experience.

Student-Run Initiatives: Students can participate in student-run zines, concerts, and even a record label, gaining hands-on experience in various aspects of the music business.
Industry Speakers: The program hosts events featuring prominent industry speakers, providing students with valuable insights and networking opportunities.
Professional-Grade Facilities: Students have access to professional-grade recording and music creation studios, allowing them to develop their technical skills and create high-quality recordings.
Career Fair: The UCLA Music Industry Programâs Career Fair connects students and alumni with top professionals across the music business, offering direct access.
Internships: Internships provide firsthand experience in chosen fields within the music industry.

Commitment to Justice, Diversity, and Activism

The UCLA Music Industry Program is dedicated to promoting justice, diversity, and activism within the music industry. The program aims to create an accessible and affordable pathway into the industry for aspiring creative professionals, empowering women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ creatives.

Double Majors and Minors

Students interested in pursuing a double major or minor in conjunction with the Music Industry major have several options.

Double Majors:

Current UCLA students do not need to reapply to UCLA to double major. However, the School of Music requires completion of the supplemental application. Students must demonstrate that the degree can be completed within normative time (4 years for first year students or 2 years for Junior transfer students).

Minors:

The School of Music offers several minors that complement the Music Industry major:

Ethnomusicology Minor: This minor provides a systematic introduction to the study of world music and performance.
Music Industry Minor: This minor prepares students for employment in the music industry.
Musicology Minor: This minor combines the humanistic study of music with a major concentration in another area.

Applications for all minors are opened on Monday of Week 1 in Fall and Spring quarter and close promptly at 5pm on Friday of Week 4. In order to prepare for your application, please complete a proposed degree plan that incorporates all required classes for your prospective minor with your current plan of study for your major. If you would like to see what classes are required for the minor, we recommend running a model DARS.

Core Faculty

The Music Industry program is led by a team of distinguished faculty members with extensive experience in both academia and the music industry:

David MacFadyen: Professor of Music Industry, Musicology and Comparative Literature.
Robert Fink: Professor and Chair of Music Industry, Professor of Musicology and Humanities.
Tiffany Naiman: Academic Administrator and Instructor of Music Industry.
Thomas Hodgson: Associate Professor of Musicology and Music Industry.
Catherine Provenzano: Assistant Professor of Musicology and Music Industry.
Jessica Schwartz: Associate Professor of Musicology and Music Industry.

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