What Programs and Divisions Does The Juilliard School Offer?

Updated

The Juilliard School organizes its performing arts education into three divisions—Music, Dance, and Drama—and offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in each. According to the school's homepage, Juilliard was founded in 1905 and describes itself as "a world leader in performing arts education." The three divisions are the primary way the school frames its offerings, so anyone researching programs should start by identifying which division matches their discipline.

The Three Divisions and Their Focus

Juilliard's homepage presents each division with a short statement of artistic purpose. These descriptions are useful for understanding how the school positions each area rather than for comparing specific majors.

Division Stated Focus
Music "Cultivating artistry, mastering technique, stretching musical imaginations"
Dance "Exploring movement possibilities, deepening artistry, empowering creativity"
Drama "Developing hearts, minds, bodies, and a passion for the theater"

Music

The Music Division is the broadest in scope, covering instrumental performance, composition, and voice. The homepage highlights Juilliard Summer Music, a three-week conservatory program for high school instrumentalists, composers, and vocalists, as a pre-college entry point. It also features commentary from David Serkin Ludwig, dean and director of the Music Division, on how students learn and build a long-term artistic mindset.

Dance

The Dance Division emphasizes movement exploration and creative development. The homepage notes that Juilliard Dance is marking its 75th anniversary, with Dean and Director Melissa Toogood leading the program into its next chapter.

Drama

The Drama Division focuses on training the whole artist—heart, mind, body, and passion for theater. The homepage announces that Tony Award–winning director Anna D. Shapiro will become the next Richard Rodgers dean and director of Drama, and it spotlights the MFA actors of Group 57 in what it describes as a new tuition-free MFA program.

Degree Levels

Juilliard offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across dance, drama, and music, per the school's own description. The homepage's admissions section addresses prospective students at both levels, whether they are beginning research into undergraduate or graduate programs or are mid-application. Applications for Fall 2027 are listed as open.

How to Use This Information

  • If you are a prospective student: Identify your discipline first, then explore that division's page through the main navigation. The homepage's admissions section is the starting point for application questions and events.
  • If you are a high school musician: Juilliard Summer Music is a three-week program specifically for instrumentalists, composers, and vocalists, and applications were open at the time of the homepage content.
  • If you are an audience member: The 2026–27 season of music, dance, and drama performances has tickets on sale.

One caveat: the homepage references a campaign toward a tuition-free Juilliard and describes the Drama MFA program as tuition-free, but it does not state current tuition or fees for other programs. Check the admissions pages directly for cost details rather than assuming any program is free.