Academics

Shaping the next generation of creative scholars through academic programs that prepare students for the future of the arts and creative sectors.

Four Departments. One Vision.

Academics at UCI Arts

The Claire Trevor School of the Arts at UC Irvine unites four departments—Art, Dance, Drama, and Music—into a single, collaborative arts school. We’re home to over 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students and present more than 150 performances, exhibitions, and workshops each year. UCI Arts offers six undergraduate degrees, six graduate degrees, and three minors across four departments. 

As the only UC school with all four disciplines under one roof, UCI Arts encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, double majors, and cross-campus partnerships. Students engage with cutting-edge technology, inclusive practices, and academic rigor to prepare for thriving careers in the arts and beyond.

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Art

The Department of Art fosters distinctive artistic practices grounded in critical inquiry and contemporary art.

  • Art, B.A.
  • Digital Arts, Minor
  • Art, M.F.A.
A dancer in a flowing blue dress leaps high onstage with arms and legs extended, while two other dancers in similar dresses watch from behind under dramatic lighting.

Dance

The Department of Dance cultivates versatile artists through rigorous training, creative innovation, and dynamic performance.

  • Dance, B.A.
  • Dance, B.F.A.
  • Dance, M.F.A.
Woyzeck, 2016, photo by Paul Kennedy. A male performer stands onstage under intense red and green lighting, wearing a green shirt and camouflage pants, his expression tense as he faces the audience with a glowing red circular light behind him.

Drama

The Department of Drama develops artists and scholars through collaborative, contemporary theatre practice.

  • Drama, B.A.
  • Music Theatre, B.F.A.
  • Drama, Minor
  • Drama, M.F.A.
  • Drama and Theatre, Ph.D.
UCI choir members sing during a concert performance, standing in rows behind the orchestra while following the conductor.

Music

The Department of Music prepares students for impactful careers through performance, composition, technology, and scholarship.

  • Music, B.A.
  • Music, Minor
  • Music, M.F.A.
  • Integrated Composition, Improvisation, and Technology, Ph.D.

At the Claire Trevor School of the Arts, academics are built on the belief that creative practice and scholarly inquiry fuel one another. Students learn in an environment that values experimentation, research, and collaboration across art, dance, drama, and music. As part of a leading research university, our programs encourage students to explore new ideas, expand their technical and conceptual skills, and work closely with faculty who are active artists, scholars, and innovators in their fields.

"As a learning artist, I am deeply grateful and excited for the opportunity to push the boundaries of my work and continue developing my practice with the generous support of the Claire Trevor School of the Arts."

- Jered Frigillana, B.A. Art '26, Claire Trevor Society Scholar

Read more about UCI Arts

Shaping Performance. Engaging Communities.

UCI Arts presents more than 200 performances, exhibitions and events each year, offering students frequent opportunities to share their work with the public. Across theatre, music and dance, students gain hands-on experience through productions and collaborative projects that engage live audiences in a professional, public-facing environment.

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Explore Your Path in the Arts

UCI Arts offers immersive academic programs that integrate creative practice with research, technology and collaboration. Across Art, Dance, Drama and Music, students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees while refining their artistic voice through hands-on training, interdisciplinary work and engagement with new ideas. Guided by working artists and scholars, students build the skills, experience and perspective needed to pursue careers in the arts and related fields within a dynamic university setting.

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Learn more about UC Irvine

Learn more about UC Irvine and the dynamic campus environment that supports creative and scholarly work.

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