Apply

You can find application options and all the information you need to complete your UWM application at the link below.

After being admitted to UWM and indicating an Art program as your chosen major, no further steps are required to start taking foundation classes in the Department of Art & Design.

Those interested in applying for departmental scholarships should do so by December 15 for priority consideration.

To be accepted into the Dance BA or BFA program, applicants must also be accepted to UWM and complete a successful entrance audition within the Peck School of the Arts.

Those interested in departmental scholarships should complete requirements by March 1 for priority consideration.

Application

Statement of Intent
Upload a one-page PDF (300 word minimum) that describes how your interests and experience relates to your intended college choice and career path. Your statement may discuss your past dance experiences, teachers and/or training, and how they connect and apply to your future.

Entrance Auditions for *Spring 2026 and ^‡Fall 2026 consideration

Applicants may audition in-person or by uploading a video.

In-Person Audition
Application materials must be submitted at least 1 week prior to your requested date. Auditions will be held on the UW-Milwaukee campus. They include faculty introductions, facility tours, technique classes, performance of a one-minute solo, and a question and answer session with faculty. We will inform you of which technique classes will be included.

• Friday, December 5, 2025 *‡
• Saturday, February 14, 2026 ‡
• Friday, March 6, 2026 ‡

Video Audition
Students who are unable to audition in-person may submit a video audition. Applicants should record themselves in three videos.

• Dancing in a technique class (variation one)
• Dancing in a technique class (variation two)
• One solo performance

Videos should be recorded in a studio or gym, not a residential space like a living room or bedroom (if possible). They can be uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo or a file sharing site like Google Drive or Dropbox. The links, plus related explanations and/or necessary passwords, should be included.

Questions: dance-admission@uwm.edu

After being admitted to UWM and indicating a Film program as your chosen major, no further steps are required to start taking foundation classes in the Department of Film, Video, Animation & New Genres.

Those interested in applying for departmental scholarships should do so by January 31 for priority consideration.

To be accepted into the Music BA or BFA program, applicants must also be accepted to UWM and complete a successful entrance audition and/or interview within the Peck School of the Arts.

Those interested in departmental scholarships should complete requirements by March 1 for priority consideration.

Application

Statement of Intent
Upload a one-page PDF (100 word minimum) that describes your desired musical career and how studying at UWM will help prepare you.

Piano Placement Video
Those with prior piano experience may share a short video in order to place you in the appropriate course level. Videos should include the two segments below and be uploaded to YouTube. The frame should include your entire upper body and a view of both hands.

1. One piece hands together – no memory required, classical in style (i.e. no original compositions, jazz, pop music, etc.)
2. Two scales hands together – one major, one minor, two octaves, correct fingerings

Music Theory Placement Exam

All intended music majors are required to take a 30-60 minute online theory placement exam. Composition majors must complete the exam prior to an audition result being provided; all other majors complete it prior to registering for classes (distribution starts in April/May for fall admits). Please complete the exam soon after receiving the Canvas link.

Entrance Audition or Interview for *Spring 2026 and ^‡Fall 2026 consideration

Application materials must be submitted at least 1 week prior to your requested date. Music BA and BFA degrees have specific Peck School of the Arts entrance requirements, including audition guidelines. Applicants will attend an orientation, a Department of Music student convocation performance, and meet with faculty. Music Education applicants will also meet with MusEd faculty. The typical day starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends around 2 p.m. Parents/guardians are encouraged to attend. Presentations from Financial Aid and the Student Health and Wellness Center will be offered.

While in-person is highly recommended, we understand some applicants may need to submit digitally and meet virtually.

• Friday, December 5, 2025 *^‡
• Friday, February 13, 2026 ^‡ (voice only)
• Monday, February 16, 2026 ^‡
• Friday, March 6, 2026 ^‡
• Friday, April 3, 2026 ^‡
• Digital submission and virtual interview *^‡

Questions: music-admission@uwm.edu

To be accepted into the Theatre BA or BFA program, applicants must also be accepted to UWM and complete a successful entrance audition and/or interview within the Peck School of the Arts.

Those interested in department scholarships should complete requirements by March 1 for priority consideration.

Application

Statement of Intent & Resume

All BA and BFA programs

A one-page statement of intent that describes why you decided to pursue a theatre degree, why you chose UWM, and how your college education will help you achieve your career goals. Plus, a separate one-page resume. Your resume should detail your performance/production or teaching experiences and extracurricular activities.

Professional Reference

Production, Acting, Musical Theatre

Please include the following info for an individual who can provide a professional reference for you: name, title, relationship, email, phone number.

Digital Audition

Acting, Musical Theatre

All performances should be pre-recorded, preferably in a studio or gym, and submitted with your application. Video files should include your name and be uploaded to a file sharing site. Please include any links, notes and/or passwords if needed.

Acting Requirements:

• Monologue: Provide one 90-second memorized monologue of choice.

Musical Theatre Requirements:

• Monologue: Perform a one-minute memorized monologue from a contemporary play.
• Vocal Excerpt: Perform two contrasting 32-bar vocal excerpts from standard musical theatre repertoire. You may sing a cappella, with an accompanist, or to a karaoke backing track. Use a recording with pre-recorded vocals only if you have no alternative.
• Dance solo: Perform a one-minute dance solo from musical theatre, ballet, jazz or tap genres.

Music Theory & Piano Placement Exams

Musical Theatre

Students with prior piano or music theory experience will have the option of taking a theory exam and/or sharing a piano composition video to help with course placement. These exams will not impact your audition results.

• Theory Placement: If you have music theory experience, please select this option in the application and we’ll share instructions on how to take the online theory exam.
• Piano Placement: Those with prior piano experience have the opportunity to record and upload a short composition. Videos should include one classical style piece with hands together – no original compositions, jazz, or popular style pieces and no memorization required. Please also include one major and one minor scale in two octaves with hands together and correct fingerings.

Entrance interview for *Spring 2026 and ^‡Fall 2026 consideration

Application materials must be submitted at least 1 week prior to your requested date.

If applying for Production, we will reach out after submission to arrange a customized department tour, interview with faculty and discussion with current students.

If applying to our other BA or BFA programs, please see the sample schedule below. This includes time for a 30-minute interview with a faculty member to discuss your reasons for pursuing this degree and to answer any questions you might have. If applying for Acting or Musical Theatre you may be asked to repeat your monologue and take direction on it. You may also visit classes and meet with current students and be offered time to present additional work you’d like to share for feedback.

If you are not able to meet in person please contact theatre-admission@uwm.edu to request a virtual option prior to submitting your application.

• Friday, December 5, 2025 *^‡
• Friday, February 13, 2026 ^‡
• Friday, March 6, 2026 ^‡
• Friday, April 3, 2026 ^‡

Sample Schedule

Questions: theatre-admission@uwm.edu

Please review individual program requirements by selecting your desired degree within the UWM Catalog and navigating to the requirements tab. After review, complete and submit the Graduate School application.

Application Deadline

Fall: January 25
Those eligible for the Advanced Opportunity Program Fellowship (AOP) should apply by December 10.

Please review the Dance, MFA requirements prior to completing and submitting the Graduate School application.

Application Deadline

Summer: March 1
For priority admission and improved financial support opportunities, apply by November 1.

Please review the Cinematic Arts, MFA requirements prior to completing and submitting the Graduate School application. The most substantive parts of the application include work samples, statement of intent and curriculum vitae.

Application Deadline

Fall: January 15
Application and financial support deadline.

Work Samples Instructions

Submit a PDF containing URLs and passwords (if applicable) for two moving image work samples. If a work is longer than 20 minutes, provide a link to a 5–10 minute excerpt along with a link to the full piece.

For each work sample please include the following within the PDF.

• Title of work
• Total run time
• Year of production
• Short synopsis (100-word limit)
• A clear indication of your role in the work

Portfolios that consist of both film/video and other expanded multimedia forms may:

• Submit a URL for ONE moving-image work sample
• Submit links to documentation for TWO additional works (installation, sculpture, performance, etc.). Please provide links for up to 10 still images or moving image documentation as appropriate to the work. For each work sample, provide identifying information as instructed above (relevant to the work, “running time” can be replaced by “medium,” “duration” or other description.) 

Music graduate degrees have specific Peck School of the Arts entrance requirements, with most programs additionally requiring an audition or interview.

Please also review individual program requirements by selecting your desired degree within the UWM Catalog and navigating to the requirements tab. After review, complete and submit the Graduate School application.

Application Deadline

Fall: March 1 | Spring: December 1
Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on a rolling basis and may not be processed in time for the intended semester. 

For programs that require an audition/interview, we strongly recommend you submit the Music Audition Form and the Music Performance Audition Registration in your application one month prior to the deadline. Your audition/interview does not need to be completed prior to the application deadline. 

Interest Form

Resume
Upload a resume (two page maximum) that includes educational background, work experience, special talents/skills and other relevant experience with children.

Transcripts
Upload copies of transcripts from all institutions of higher education, including technical colleges. We’ll use these for your initial transfer credit review. If accepted into the Peck School program official transcripts will be requested during the UWM application process.

Education License – if applicable
Upload copies of Wisconsin or Out-of-State Education Licenses.

Stipulations Letter – if applicable
Upload documentation you may have received from DPI concerning stipulations or license renewals pertaining to your application or program requirements.

Portfolio – Art Education only
Upload a single PDF including 10-15 examples of your artwork representative of the breadth and depth of prior undergraduate studies. Identify each image by media, size and year of completion.

Discussion with Area Head

After submitting your application the area head will reach out to schedule a time to meet. Discussion topics may include prior undergraduate studies, professional and educational experiences, review of transcripts, credit transfer and/or portfolios of work. We’ll also discuss your goals and determine how our program might fit best with your schedule.

Post-Discussion Audition – Music Education only
Auditions will include a performance on your principal instrument/voice, sight singing and a piano selection using both hands. Details and dates will be discussed during your meeting.

Criminal Background Check

Our Advising & Student Services Office will connect with you shortly after your interview and provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to submit your Criminal Background Check (CBC). The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requires that all applicants to an educator preparation program submit a CBC prior to admission. CBCs previously completed for employment or other purposes cannot be used to satisfy this requirement, and must be completed via the approved process no more than six months before the admission decision.

Questions: arts@uwm.edu

We’re so excited you’re taking this step to becoming an educator of the arts! As a non-degree seeking Post-Baccalaureate, you can apply using the UW System application.

For the required statement, please include language explicitly stating whether you’re applying to the Art Education, Music Education or Theatre Education Post-Baccalaureate program.