Graduate Application Instructions

CCM's graduate admissions process begins on September 1 for entrance in the following year's fall semester. Students are encouraged to submit their pre-screening materials by November 15, but all application materials and pre-screening submissions must be received by December 1.

Application Procedures

Graduate applicants must apply online through the UC Graduate School website. The graduate application includes a non-refundable fee of $65 for domestic and $70 for international applicants. 

After submitting the graduate application, you need to submit pre-screening materials to CCM's Get Acceptd website. Please review the pre-screening requirements for your specific degree program

In order to upload your pre-screening materials to CCM's Get Acceptd website, you will be asked to enter your UC application reference number. This number can be found by logging into your Check My Status page.

Please note: a non-refundable fee of $60 will be charged to apply to CCM, Get Acceptd will charge $30 for majors that require media uploads and programs that require document uploads only will be charge $15.

The video essay in the graduate application is not required.

A 500-word personal statement within the graduate application should include your degree objectives, as well as frank observations of your professional and personal strengths and weaknesses. It should also include any significant professional experiences or honors and any other information you feel the faculty and admissions committee should know.

Please upload unofficial transcripts from each institution you’ve attended to your online application. Please note, official transcripts are not required during the application process.

One letter of recommendation is required for all MM performance, DMA performance and AD applicants.

Please note, the following programs require three letters of recommendation:

  • Arts Administration (MA)
  • Composition (MM, DMA)
  • Music Theory (MM, PhD)
  • Musicology (MM, PhD)
  • Theatre Design and Production (all areas) (MFA)

Applicants will also have the ability to notify recommenders and remind them to send their recommendations though their Application Status Portal.

The following degree programs require the GRE exam score. Applicants must request to have their score sent to CCM Admissions (school code: 1833, department 2404):

  • Music Theory (MM, PhD)
  • Musicology (MM, PhD)

Arts Administration applicants are required to take either the GRE or GMAT (83C4L-52). For specific information regarding test sites and dates, please go to ets.org/gre or mba.com.

Refer to the pre-screening requirements for each individual degree program. All content must be uploaded to CCM's Acceptd website.

While pre-screen submission is required for all applicants, not all applicants will be invited to audition or interview. In some cases, students will receive a final admission decision based solely off the pre-screen submission. In other cases, faculty will request an additional audition or interview.

You will be notified via email after the faculty have reviewed your materials regarding the status of your application and if you will need to participate in an audition or interview.

Review the audition/interview requirements for your desired program. Auditions and interviews may be done in-person or via live video.

Assistantships (9-month stipend) are available in all majors except Composition, Harpsichord and Euphonium. However, these majors may apply for Jazz Studies or Music Theory assistantships. Consideration for a majority of these assistantships is based solely on the applicant’s audition/interview.

Other programs that require additional materials/pre-screenings for consideration are listed below:

  • Musical Theatre Accompanying Assistantship
  • Studio Accompanying Assistantship
  • Jazz Studies – open to majors outside of program with pre-approval
  • Music Education
  • Musicology
  • Secondary Piano
  • Theory – open to all majors
  • Graduate Voice
  • Opera Pianist Accompanying Assistantship
  • Most CCM administrative offices offer assistantships. Please contact the office you wish to work in directly for more information

All graduate applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or higher will be considered for talent and merit-based awards. Please note, assistantships and scholarships are based on your audition performance and excellence as well as your GPA, not financial need.

All assistantship decisions will be made by April 1. Please refer to the program-specific pre-screening, audition and interview requirements of your designed assistantship program.

Certain programs host competitions and fellowships open to applicants:


Start Your Application

The Graduate Application must be successfully completed and submitted along with all required materials and pre-screening materials before an admissions decision or audition request is released.


Questions? Please call the CCM Admissions office at 513-556-9479 or email us.