Music PhD

The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in The Graduate School Policy Guide.

The MA in Music is a non-admitting degree from The Graduate School offered in four specializations: Music Composition and Technology, Musicology, Music Theory and Cognition, and Music Education. A student may apply for the MA in Music after completing fifteen units toward the PhD coursework and:

• in Musicology, one foreign language exam and either two components of the qualifying exam or the dissertation prospectus;
• in Music Theory and Cognition, one component of the qualifying exam or the dissertation prospectus;
• in Music Education, the teaching demonstration and the qualifying exam.

A student may request this degree only if he or she does not already hold a master's level degree in the field of specialization at the time of the request.

Specializations of study are offered in four fields: Music Composition and Technology, Musicology, Music Theory and Cognition, and Music Education.

Major Area of Study: In close consultation with a faculty advisor, each student will pursue a major field of study comprising a minimum of six to nine units of graduate-level coursework. Specializations are in Music Education, Music Composition and Technology, Music Theory and Cognition, and Musicology. The major field may be either a traditional area of research (Music Composition and Technology, Music Education, Musicology, Music Theory and Cognition) or another area supported by the research expertise of faculty.

Cognate Area of Study: In addition to completing the core, all students will be required to take three 300 or 400 level courses outside the Bienen School of Music in an approved cognate area.

Colloquium: All students in residency must enroll in the program colloquium or center in their field of specialization.

Courses Units Core Courses Graduate Seminars 6-12 Major Area 3-6 Cognate 6-9 Electives 6 Total Required Units
(18 for students entering with a master’s degree in the specific field) 18-27

• Examinations: Qualifying examination including teaching demonstration, defense of dissertation prospectus, public lecture or presentation
• Language Requirement: Examinations in two languages (musicology specialization only)
• PhD Dissertation: Based on original, independent research
• Final Evaluations: Defense of dissertation