Admissions for 2023 are now closed for our Culture and Performance Ph.D program. The deadline was November 15, 2022.
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 while working toward their Ph.D. The program requires full-time attendance.
In addition to the Application for Graduate Admission, the Department has its own requirements: 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 but 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.
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. 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.
Statement of Purpose
Applicants should submit one Statement of Purpose (1,500 word limit), which outlines how their personal and professional goals align with graduate training in our department. Applicants should feel free to describe previous experience and research as it applies to their academic goals, but the focus should be on the work that they hope to do as a graduate student in our department, as well as their future career goals. Chiefly, applicants should aim for specificity in their statements as well as use this opportunity to accentuate their clear writing skills. Keep in mind that this is a unique instance within the greater application to showcase originality in thought and action, and to illustrate not only aptitude as a student and professional, but as a passionate person at work in the world.
This section of the application is your chance to tell us what you want to do here in the Culture and Performance program. Describe your research interests in particular. What questions do you want to investigate in relation to what materials? What new knowledge and skills that apply to this interest area are you expecting to develop through graduate study in our program? Do you see evidence that the necessary resources are available at UCLA? Of course you should also address the topics given in the application materials: your purpose in applying, your area of specialization, your plans for future occupation or profession, and any additional information that may aid us in evaluating your preparation and your aptitude for graduate study at UCLA.
Please review FAQs below for other information about other application materials.
English Requirements
Students whose native language is not English or who did not receive their bachelor’s degree in an Anglophone country, must certify proficiency in English when applying to UCLA. This applies to U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents as well as international applicants. If you are admitted, you may also be required to confirm your proficiency upon arrival. Submit scores received on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as part of the 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. For further information about these requirements, please review UCLA Graduate Division English Requirements.
Requirements for International Applicants
Includes requirements, required academic records, and visa procedures. For further information about these requirements, please review UCLA Graduate Division International Applicants to Graduate School.
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 us at wacdadmissions@arts.ucla.edu