Program Statistics
Visit PhD Program Statistics for statistics such as program admissions, enrollment, student demographics and more.
Music
Degree Types: PhD
Students admitted to the PhD Program in Music pursue academic coursework and write a dissertation in one of four specializations:
- Composition & Music Technology
- Music Education
- Musicology
- Music Theory & Cognition
Students design a course of study incorporating their individual interests and a broad-based approach to contemporary music research. A year-long sequence of selected courses in Composition and Music Technology, Music Education, Musicology, and Music Theory and Cognition provides an interdisciplinary context for students in all specializations, with additional seminars and colloquia in each major as a foundation for advanced work.
A unique aspect of this program is a cognate area requirement in a non-music field such as psychology of learning, cognitive science, learning sciences, cultural studies, social sciences, humanities, philosophy, or communication studies. Students are encouraged to check with their specialization advisers to obtain any additional information about expectations not specified here.
Students entering the program with a master's degree in their area of specialization normally require two years of full-time study to complete coursework. Students entering with only a bachelor's degree may require three years of full-time study to complete coursework.
Additional resources:
Students interested in the Doctor of Musical Arts or the Master of Music Degree should refer to the Bienen School of Music website.
Program Contact
Contact Thomas Crespo
Assistant Dean for Admission, Financial Aid and Graduate Services
Degree Requirements
The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in The Graduate School Policy Guide.
Master's
The MA in Music is a non-admitting degree from The Graduate School offered in the four specializations of the PhD program in Music (Composition & Music Technology, Music Education, Musicology, and Music Theory & Cognition). A student may request this degree only if they do not already hold a master's level degree in the field of specialization at the time of the request. Students may apply for the MA in Music after completing fifteen units toward the PhD coursework, and:
- in Musicology, the foreign language exam, and either two components of the qualifying exam or the dissertation prospectus
- in Music Education, the teaching demonstration and the qualifying exam
- in Music Theory & Cognition, one component of the qualifying exam or the dissertation prospectus
The MA in Music is not to be confused with the various MM (Master of Music) degrees offered by the Bienen School of Music. The MA in Music is only available to students already admitted to and pursuing the PhD in Music.
PhD
Specializations of study are offered in four areas: Composition & Music Technology, Music Education, Musicology, and Music Theory & Cognition. Requirements vary by area of specialization. All PhD students in Music must complete a minimum of 18 graduate units, or two years of coursework. For certain specializations, students entering with only a bachelor's degree may be required to complete 27 graduate units, or three years of coursework.
Students should consult the Bienen School of Music website regarding specific curricular and qualifying exam requirements for their area of specialization.
Cognate Area of Study: All students are required to take three 300 level or above courses outside the Bienen School of Music in an approved cognate area.
Colloquium: All students in residency are expected to attend and participate in the program colloquium or center in their field of specialization.
Total Course Units Required: 18-27
Other PhD Degree Requirements
- Examinations: All Qualifying Examinations include written and oral components. Specific requirements vary by specialization, and are enumerated under the requirements for each specialization on the Bienen School of Music website.
- Language Requirement: Musicology specialization: examination in one language
- PhD Dissertation: Based on original, independent research. The dissertation requirement for Composition and Music Technology includes a doctoral composition.
- Final Evaluations: Defense of dissertation