Graduate Student Advisor (5156C), Department of Music #87451 About Berkeley

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Departmental Overview

The Department of Music at Berkeley is one of the oldest and most prominent in the country, bringing together a renowned group of composers, scholars, and performers. For more than 100 years, UC Berkeley's Department of Music has championed professionalism, academic rigor, and the highest caliber of research. The department is dedicated to a liberal education in the Arts and Humanities, introducing students to a wide variety of music practices in performance, music composition and technology, theoretical and creative studies, and historical and cultural studies. The curriculum is responsive to the interests of a diverse student body and cultivates a broad expertise in the field.

The Department of Music boasts a roster of distinguished Bay Area artists offering individual musical instruction, a treasured collection of classical instruments, as well as four buildings: Hertz Concert Hall, the Jean Gray Hargrove Music Library, the Center for New Music and Audio Technology and Morrison Hall. Through its courses and concerts the department reaches out to hundreds of students from other departments, to its many alumni, and to the general public.

With recent changes to diversify its course offerings and its major requirements, along with renewed interest in the value of study in the Arts and Humanities, the Department of Music is one of the fastest growing majors at UC Berkeley. We are serving a larger and more diverse body of students, and more Music majors, than ever before.

Position Summary

The Graduate Student Advisor provides guidance and support to faculty and to graduate students in the Department of Music through the full cycle of graduate study: application, admission, immigration, residency, financial support (including stipends, fellowships and employment), academic progress tracking, fulfillment of campus requirements, and finally graduation. Serves as the Department's policy expert and advises on matters of campus policy and Department policy. Supports the Department of Art Practice with the graduate student admissions cycle and student financial awards.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is July 29, 2026. For full consideration, please apply on or before the first review date.

Responsibilities

STUDENT ADVISING

Serves as the primary contact for department-wide graduate student communications.
Advises students on academic and procedural matters relating to degree requirements, progress and completion.
Tracks student progress and advises students and faculty on requirements for degree/program completion.
Maintains student academic records in campus systems.
Identifies students with progression problems and recommends interventions to faculty.
Advises faculty, staff, and graduate students on departmental and university policies and procedures in regards to graduate student programs.
Attends campus-wide graduate advising (GSAO) meetings, and tracks and reports back to the department about any changes related to graduate affairs.
Recommends changes to the department's graduate student program policies, practices, and procedures.
Interprets departmental and campus-wide policies and advises students and faculty on student conduct, student grievances, disputes, discrimination and other issues.
Advises students and faculty on campus requirements for qualifying exams and dissertation committees; assists with requests for exceptions.
Refers students experiencing personal difficulties to the appropriate departmental and campus resources.
RECRUITMENT AND ADMISSIONS

Serves as point of contact for prospective applicants to the graduate program; advises them on academic preparation and requirements, and on application policies and procedures.
Manages applications in the campus grad student application system and coordinates faculty review of files, ensuring deadlines are met.
Generates and sends official offer letters to admitted students in compliance with campus and departmental policy.
Coordinates recruitment visits to campus by admitted students.
Provides advice and assistance to international students and scholars regarding U.S. visa and immigration procedures; coordinates with Berkeley International Office to secure the proper visas for international students; assists them with travel arrangements or other help in extenuating circumstances.
Recommends candidates for the Berkeley and Chancellor's fellowships to faculty.
FINANCIAL AID

Monitors departmental funds dedicated to graduate student support; recommends allocation of student support expense to those funds, block grants, etc.
Manages the disbursement of student fellowships, grants, scholarships, prizes and other awards.
Advises students on financial aid options available within the department, within the campus as well as extra-mural fellowship opportunities.
Manages process of Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) appointments:
Solicits course preferences from students;
Makes recommendations to faculty for GSI assignments;
Generates GSI appointment letters in compliance with campus policy and the requirements of the collective bargaining agreement; and
Ensures timely processing of GSI appointments each term.
Create and maintain funding history and plan for each graduate student.
Stays apprised of changes in Graduate Division fellowship policies and communicates pertinent information to department leadership.
Recommends changes in the department's financial aid package to faculty as appropriate; documents approved changes.
Helps students resolve problems with their campus billing accounts (tuition, fees, stipends, etc.).
OTHER

Maintains the department's graduate student handbook.
Seeks out and participates in professional development opportunities.
Assists with department events related to admissions, orientation, and commencement.
Participates in other department-wide initiatives and activities as appropriate.
DEPARTMENT OF ART PRACTICE

May provide support or consultation as needed for the graduate student admissions cycle using the campus application system.
Manages applications ensuring application reviewers are assigned correctly.
Interfaces with the Graduate Division to recommend qualified applicants for admission.
Assists in drafting and issuing acceptance and award letters.
Enters student financial awards in the campus system.
Required Qualifications

Working knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
Knowledge of and/or ability to learn University-specific computer application programs and knowledge of and/or ability to learn University and departmental principles and procedures involved in risk assessment and evaluating risks as to likelihood and consequences.
Solid verbal and written communication skills.
Interpersonal skills.
Multicultural competencies; ability to work with diverse populations.
Ability in problem identification and reasoning; ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
Skills in judgment and decision-making, problem solving, identifying measures of system performance and the actions to improve performance.
Education / Training

Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training. (Required)
Advanced degree in Music or a related area (Preferred)
Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $75,000.00 - $87,000.00.

This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.