phd in music history

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• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Doctor of Philosophy in Music History

Three to five year degree (10-30).

The Supervisory Committee creates the Doctor of Philosophy program for each student in order to fulfill the best interests of that student’s education. Therefore, it is important that a student form a Supervisory Committee as soon as possible after entering the doctoral program. It is the responsibility of the Supervisory Committee to assure an appropriate program of study for each student. It is within the Committee's purview to require additional courses that are not listed below, to substitute particular courses for others listed below, and to tailor the program to the needs of the student in any way that it deems educationally mandated. The student needs to be certain that he/she is working directly with the Committee, and choosing courses that reflect the Committee's suggestions and requirements, at all times. Program requirements assume an academic background equivalent to a master’s degree. See the master’s degree program requirements. The Graduate School requires ninety (90) credits for the doctoral degree, sixty (60) of which must be taken at the University of Washington. With the approval of the degree-granting unit, thirty (30) credits from an appropriate master’s degree may be counted toward the total enrollment requirement. In addition to coursework at the master’s level, the following is a breakdown of coursework required for the doctoral degree.

Total Credits: 90

• Language : Doctoral students are required to pass graduate reading knowledge examinations in two foreign languages (as approved by the Supervisory Committee) before the General Examination is scheduled.
• General Examination : All course and language requirements must be fulfilled before the student can sit for the exam. The General Examination consists of written and oral examinations. The oral examination is scheduled after the student has successfully completed the written examinations. Doctoral students should have their committee established at least four months before the General Examination. The student submits the online General Examination request to the Graduate School no later than  three (3) weeks before the exam.  The Graduate School requires completion of 60 credits of coursework (including coursework taken for the master’s degree) prior to the General Examination, 18 of which must be from the 500-level or above and 18 of which are from the 400-level or above and numerically graded.
• Final Examination : Students must submit a draft of the dissertation to the Reading Committee no later than five (5) weeks before the Final Examination date. Once the Reading Committee has read a draft of the dissertation and agrees that it is ready to defend, t he student submits the online Final Examination request to the Graduate School no later than  three (3) weeks before the exam.  See the Graduate School home page, http://www.grad.washington.edu , for information on formatting the exam, turning in the dissertation, etc. A student must satisfy the Graduate School’s requirements for the degree at the time the degree is to be awarded.

Rev. 12/3/04

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2023-24 edition, history and theory of music, ph.d..

The Ph.D. in History and Theory of Music is unique and combines both historical musicology and music theory and analysis to offer a Ph.D. program with a particular emphasis on music theory and analysis, critical theory, and the aesthetics and philosophy of music. The program rests on two central pillars: a sustained engagement with musical works that is underpinned by a thorough grounding in musical skills and literacy, and a strong focus on critical theory, which students learn to apply to musicological sub-disciplines such as music analysis and historical musicology.

The doctoral program in the History and Theory of Music is taught by a core faculty whose primary and secondary research interests cover a wide area: vocal music of the Italian baroque, Central European music and culture from the 19th century to the present, experimental music of the 20th century, popular music since 1950, American musical theater, especially that of Stephen Sondheim, and the intersection of theory, philosophy, and culture.

The program seeks students with a strong academic foundation, excellent writing skills, and a desire to develop a research idea into an original thesis. Applicants should possess an undergraduate degree in music or an equivalent level of training, and should demonstrate potential for creative research. Students are expected to have reading knowledge of French, German, Italian, or Spanish.

Applicants are normally expected to have earned an undergraduate degree with a major in music (B.A. or B.Mus.) and to possess strong analytical and writing skills. Applicants whose undergraduate major was in a subject other than music but who can demonstrate a strong background in music are otherwise qualified may also be considered.

The online application and all supporting materials must be received by December 1. Supporting materials must include:

• A personal statement of the applicant's experiences, primary interests, and career goals
• Two samples of academic writing on historical and/or analytical music topics, demonstrating writing and critical thinking skills
• Results of the GRE exam, taken within the last five years
• Three letters of recommendation

Required Courses

At least 56 units must be earned in the first two years, excluding units earned in MUSIC 399. The number of units earned thereafter will vary in accordance with the time required to pass the qualifying examination, advance to candidacy, and complete the dissertation.

During the first two years in the program, students complete the following:

During the third year, students complete the following:

During the fourth and fifth years, as needed, students take up to three quarters each year of MUSIC 290 .

En Route M.A.

For students who enter the program without an M.A. in an appropriate area of study, the substantial research paper written in MUSIC 243B  will constitute the Master’s essay. If in the judgement of the advisor and the other two readers, the essay and the student’s overall academic record are determined to be satisfactory, the student will be awarded the en route M.A. and be considered to have met the standards for continued Ph.D. study.

Students who enter the program with an M.A. in an appropriate area of study are not eligible for the en route M.A. The advisor and the other two readers will determine whether the student’s essay in MUSIC 243B and overall academic record have met the standards for continued Ph.D. study.

Language Requirement

Before advancing to candidacy, students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of one language other than English relevant to the student’s program of study. This requirement is met by passing a translation examination administered by the Department.

Advancement to Candidacy

The Qualifying Examination, administered by a committee of three faculty members, is typically taken in late winter or early spring quarter of the third year. It consists of an oral exam and a written, take-home exam in music analysis. The oral portion of the exam comprises two parts. In the first, the student is given short excerpts from several musical scores and is asked to identify each as closely as possible in terms of style and period. In the second, the student is examined in the two fields. The first field is related to the topic of the student’s second-year research and writing project. The second field is prepared in the third year during completion of MUSIC 244 . The take-home exam in music analysis is completed in 72 hours and shall take the form of an extended essay on an assigned composition.

The dissertation prospectus, typically growing out of one of the student’s two fields, is presented in a colloquium that includes all three members of the dissertation committee. It cannot be presented until the foreign-language requirement and all course requirements outlined above have been met. Upon acceptance of the prospectus the student will advance to doctoral candidacy.

Dissertation

The dissertation is an original research project of substantial length approved by the dissertation committee of three faculty members.

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2023-2024 Catalogue

A PDF of the entire 2023-2024 catalogue.

Music History and Theory

The Music History & Theory program emphasizes a wide range of methodologies and musical repertories, preparing students for careers as leading music scholars. Studies in music history may encompass cultural history, textual criticism, institutional history, hermeneutics, anthropology, race and gender studies, critical theory as well as film and media, and they often reflect a dynamic interplay between these disciplines. Students emphasizing music theory often concentrate on theoretical systems, detailed analysis of works, musical cognition, the history of theory, the history of compositional practices, and popular musics. The Chicago approach to the fields of history and theory is cross-disciplinary—students take a broad selection of courses, and their individual research programs typically reflect the flexible and porous approach that characterizes the Department and the University.

Music history and theory students with a special interest in composition may develop a program of study in consultation with faculty.

For detailed information about course requirements for the PhD program in Music History & Theory, please visit the Graduate Curriculum webpage.

Fields of Study

• Composition
• Ethnomusicology
• Program Overview
• Curriculum Requirements

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PhD Music Theory and History

• How to Apply
• Undergraduate Programs
• Undergraduate Handbook
• Graduate Handbook

The following music theory and history requirements must be completed before the student is admitted to candidacy. Note that these are courses beyond the bachelor's degree . Similar graduate courses taken at another accredited institution may fulfill some of these requirements if the student is able to demonstrate knowledge or skill approximately equivalent to that expected of students who have completed the corresponding courses below:

PREREQUISITES Before being admitted into this program, the student is expected to demonstrate, through testing and interviews with members of the faculty, a level of competence equivalent to undergraduate coursework in the following areas:

• The principal periods of Western music history, including important composers and other historical figures, the history and development of standard musical genres, and representative musical works.
• Musical performance (on the student's principal instrument or voice).
• Harmony and voice leading; conventions of part writing and figured bass.
• Aural skills, including sight singing; keyboard facility.
• Sixteenth- and eighteenth-century counterpoint.
• Standard formal designs of the common practice period.
• Twentieth-century music literature and compositional techniques.
• Basic principles of score reading, instrumentation and orchestration.
• Research and bibliographic skills sufficient for effective writing in the discipline.

A student with a limited background in one or more of these areas may be admitted to the program with the understanding that appropriate undergraduate course work will be completed as soon as possible.

Please see the   Curricular Outlines   for the Doctor of Philosophy in Music Theory and History.

Ph.D. in History and Theory of Music

Applicants are normally expected to have earned an undergraduate degree with a major in music (B.A. or B.Mus.) and to possess strong analytical and writing skills. Applicants whose undergraduate major was in a subject other than music but who can demonstrate a strong background in music and are otherwise qualified may also be considered.

The online application and all supporting materials must be received by December 1. Supporting materials must include:

• A personal statement of the applicant's experiences, primary interests, and career goals
• Two samples of academic writing on music-historical and/or music-analytical topics that show evidence of writing and critical thinking skills
• Results of the GRE exam, taken within the last five years
• Three letters of recommendation

Required Courses

At least 60 units must be earned in the first two years, excluding units earned in MUSIC 399. The number of units earned thereafter will vary in accordance with the time required to pass the qualifying examination, advance to candidacy, and complete the dissertation.

During the first two years in the program, students complete the following:

A. Three core course s:

MUSIC 200 (BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESEARCH)

MUSIC 202 (PROSEMINAR IN MUSICOLOGY)

MUSIC 204 (PROSEMINAR IN MUSIC THEORY AND ANALYSIS)

B. Six topical seminars selected from

MUSIC 222 (SEMINAR IN MUSICOLOGY, topics vary) and

MUSIC 224 (SEMINAR IN MUSIC THEORY AND ANALYSIS, topics vary)

C. Two additional elective courses

D. Four research and writing courses :

MUSIC 242A-MUSIC 242B (FIRST-YEAR RESEACH AND WRITING SEMINAR)

MUSIC 243A-MUSIC 243B (SECOND-YEAR RESEARCH AND WRITING TUTORIAL)

During the third year, students complete the following:

A. Reading and research courses :

MUSIC 244 (READINGS FOR THE QUALIFYING EXAMINATION)

MUSIC 245 (PROSPECTUS RESEARCH)

During the fourth and fifth years, as needed, students take up to three quarters each year of MUSIC 299 (DISSERTATION) 

En Route M.A.

For students who enter the program without an M.A. in an appropriate area of study, the substantial research paper written in MUSIC 243B will constitute the Master’s essay. If in the judgement of the advisor and the other two readers, the essay and the student’s overall academic record are determined to be satisfactory, the student will be awarded the en route M.A. and be considered to have met the standards for continued Ph.D. study.

Students who enter the program with an M.A. in an appropriate area of study are not eligible for the en route M.A. The advisor and the other two readers will determine whether the student’s essay in MUSIC 243B and overall academic record have met the standards for continued Ph.D. study.

Language Requirement

Before advancing to candidacy, students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of one language other than English relevant to the student’s program of study. This requirement is met by passing a translation examination administered by the Department.

Advancement to Candidacy

The Qualifying Examination, administered by a committee of three faculty members, is typically taken in late winter or early spring quarter of the third year. It consists of an oral exam and a written, take-home exam in music analysis. The oral portion of the exam comprises two parts. In the first, the student is given short excerpts from several musical scores and is asked to identify each as closely as possible in terms of style and period. In the second, the student is examined in the two fields. The first field is related to the topic of the student’s second-year research and writing project. The second field is prepared in the third year during completion of MUSIC 244. The take-home exam in music analysis is completed in 72 hours and shall take the form of an extended essay on an assigned composition.

The dissertation prospectus, typically growing out of one of the student’s two fields, is presented in a colloquium that includes all three members of the dissertation committee. It cannot be presented until the foreign-language requirement and all course requirements outlined above have been met. Upon acceptance of the prospectus the student will advance to doctoral candidacy.

Dissertation

The dissertation is an original research project of substantial length approved by the dissertation committee of three faculty members.

Master of Arts / PhD

Innovative Music Scholars

UCLA’s Department of Musicology is one of the most successful graduate programs in American musicology. Recent alumni of the department teach at the University of Michigan, UT Austin, UC Irvine, Michigan State, Dalhousie University, Bates College, and other schools across the nation and the world. Our intellectual community is strikingly diverse, with U.S. graduate students from all regions of the country, international students from Canada, Mexico, Holland, Bermuda, Guatemala and Korea, and visiting scholars from as far away as China and the Ukraine.

As a training-ground for the next generation of adventurous, inventive music scholars, our Ph.D. program develops students’ creative and critical voices in a wide variety of chosen subfields; provides them with rich opportunities for establishing intellectual and professional networks; and gives them pedagogical training and experience second to none. Our graduate seminars explore topics and theories from musical Nationalism to the history of improvisation, musical camp to Dufay, opéra-comique to hands-on explorations of “public musicology.” Current graduate research interests include (but are by no means limited to!) David Bowie, Soviet music theory pedagogy, early modern anglophone devotional poetry and song, proto-punk musical experimentalism, music as cultural diplomacy during the Pan American era, 17th- and 18th-century operatic adaptations of Shakespeare’s works, music in marginal cinemas (horror, slasher, etc.).

The UCLA Musicology department normally enrolls 4-5 students per year. We accept applications for the Ph.D. only (an M.A. is normally awarded to eligible students after two years). The department is committed to competitive multi-year packages of support, and at the present time can usually guarantee a minimum of one year of fellowship and three plus years of teaching assistantship to incoming students. Students normally graduate 5-6 years after matriculation.

“I’ve always been interested in how people use music of the past – the historical past and their own personal past. At UCLA I got to study nostalgia and uses of the past in rock music of the early 70s, allowing me to think about music that I’ve heard my entire life (for example, “American Pie” or “Led Zeppelin IV”) in a completely new way.” – Caitlin Vaughn Carlos Ph.D. ’21 | Musicology

Meet Our Musicology Graduate Students

Meet our musicology faculty, musicology resources, related news, graduate opportunities, upcoming events, explore other degrees.

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You will have access to an incredible array of resources, including the Eda Kuhn Loeb Music Library, the John Knowles Paine Concert Hall, the Isham Memorial Library, the Harvard University Studio for Electroacoustic Composition, and the Sound Lab, which offers media production suites and equipment.

With a large endowment fund, the program is able to offer you funding from sources outside Harvard Griffin GSAS. You will also have the opportunity to take advantage of many available fellowships and travel, research and writing, and conference funding throughout the year.

Examples of theses and dissertations that graduates have completed include “Activism and Music in Poland, 1978–1989,” “Art of Noise: Sound and Media in Milan, ca. 1900,” “Black Musics, African Lives, and the National Imagination in Modern Israel,” and “Technologies of Transgression and Musical Play in Video Game Cultures.”

Most graduates go on to positions in academia at institutions like the University of Southern California, Michigan State University, and University of Cambridge in England.

AM in Performance Practice *

* Applications are not currently being accepted

The AM in music with a specialty in performance practice is designed to provide intellectual and scholarly background to finished musicians who are preparing or engaged in careers as performers and teachers. The emphasis is on preparing students to work with sources, editions, theoretical writings, organology, and other matters of importance to performance styles as related to repertories. Additional areas such as differences in the meaning of terminology and notation from composer to composer or from era to era, ornamentatio, liberties of tempo and declamation, and improvisation will be addressed. It is a two-year program in which students take a selection of departmental courses focused on this specialty and write an AM thesis.

Additional information on the graduate program is available from the Department of Music and requirements for the degree are detailed in Policies .

Areas of Study

Composition (PhD only) | Creative Practice and Critical Inquiry (PhD only) | Ethnomusicology (PhD only) | Music Theory (PhD only) | Musicology (PhD only) | Performance Practice* (AM only)

* Applications for Performance Practice AM are not currently being accepted

Admissions Requirements

Please review admissions requirements and other information before applying. You can find degree program-specific admissions requirements below and access additional guidance on applying from the Department of Music .

Samples of Previous Work

Applicants to all programs must submit samples of their previous scholarly work by uploading it in the Additional Materials section of the application. Applicants to the Creative Practice and Critical Inquiry PhD program must also submit 20 to 30 minutes of original creative work, in the form of links to online audio or video streams (Soundcloud, YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) or links to a file download (via Dropbox or similar) by using the Digital Portfolio section of the application. Applicants to the composition PhD program must submit three compositions in the form of links to online audio or video streams (Soundcloud, YouTube, Vimeo, etc.). Recordings can be submitted as links to SoundCloud or other online resources by using the Digital Portfolio section of the application. Students should include a one-page PDF containing links to online recordings and PDF scores where applicable. The year of composition must be marked on all scores and recordings.

Standardized Tests

GRE General: Optional

AM In Performance Practice*

* Applications are not currently being accepted Ordinarily, the department expects to enroll one to two AM students a year or every two years. No auditions are required. Financial aid for this program is very limited. Students may apply for Paine Traveling Fellowships and/or the Department Travel Fund to support some of their research. All fellowship funding is at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee. Other University funding may be available. NOTE: AM students wishing to continue at Harvard for the PhD will submit a new application through the standard admission process. Students admitted to the PhD program will be granted credit for work done at Harvard or elsewhere according to departmental guidelines.

Theses & Dissertations

Theses & Dissertations for Music

See list of Music faculty

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Questions about the program.

Prospective Graduate Students

Questions for Admissions? 617-495-5315 [email protected]

PhD programs

The Harvard Department of Music does not discriminate against applicants or students on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry or any other protected classification.

Musicology at Harvard offers intensive training in historical and cultural approaches to the study of music. While our program has an emphasis on Western music, students increasingly explore wide-ranging geographies and subjects. We take an expansive view of the field and encourage our students to do the same. Most graduate courses in musicology are research seminars; many treat specific topics and theoretical approaches, while others deal with methodology and recent trends in the field. The musicology faculty also offer proseminars that are open to both graduate and undergraduate students. At the end of two years of study, graduate students take a General Examination. In year three, having passed the General Exam, students begin to teach and craft a Ph.D. dissertation proposal; subsequent years are devoted to teaching, research, writing, and professional development. An important aspect of the Harvard program in musicology is its interdisciplinary breadth, which includes training in ethnomusicology and music theory. Students often also take seminars in other departments – and are encouraged to do so. Accreditation in secondary fields is available through many programs, such as  American Studies ,  Critical Media Practice ,  Medieval Studies ,  Romance Languages and Literatures , and  Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality , to name a few.

Special Resources

The deep holdings of the  Eda Kuhn Loeb Music Library  include a substantial recording archive, and the  Isham Memorial Library  houses rare original books, scores, and personal archives ranging from the Randy Weston Archive to Sir Georg Solti’s annotated conducting scores. Additional resources on campus include the Special Collections at  Houghton Librar y and the  Harvard Theater Collection , one of the largest performing arts collections in the world. The department also maintains a selection of musical instruments for study and performance, including early keyboards and a consort of viols. The  Mahindra Humanities Center ,  Film Study Center ,  Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies , Harvard University  Center for Italian Renaissance Studies at Villa I Tatti  (Florence),  Hutchins Center  for African & African American Research,  David Rockefeller Center  for Latin American Studies,  Charles Warren Center  for the Study of American History, and several other campus institutions provide additional intellectual resources and funding for graduate student research. Faculty and graduate students hold conferences each year on a variety of topics; artists in residence and visiting artists often enrich coursework, and some courses provide opportunities for students to perform.

Language Requirements for Musicology

Two languages are required. The languages will be chosen in consultation with the program’s graduate advisor, and wherever possible should be relevant to future research. We encourage students to pass both languages before taking the general exam. In the event this is not possible, both languages need to be passed by the end of the fall semester of the third year.

Ethnomusicology at Harvard offers intensive training in ethnographic method as well as study of theories, problems, and approaches relevant to the study of any living musical tradition in its cultural setting. By the end of the second year of study, students select primary and secondary fields of specialization, which may be defined by region (for example, Turkish or West African music); by musical styles (such as jazz or popular music); or by topic or theoretical approach (organology or aesthetics). The Harvard program has particular strengths in regions stretching from the Mediterranean to India, in Africa and African diasporas, and in urban America. There are excellent resources both in the music department and across the disciplines at Harvard in critical theory. Collaborations are encouraged among ethnomusicology and  other music department programs in historical musicology, music theory, composition, and creative practice and critical inquiry. Six to eight ethnomusicology courses—usually four seminars and four proseminars or undergraduate classes—are offered each year as part of the regular curriculum. Graduate seminars explore ethnomusicological methods and theories as they are applied to the study of music, as well as a wide range of issues and materials, while proseminars focus on music styles or distinctive musical settings. An important aspect of the Harvard ethnomusicology program is that students receive training in Western music and its history as well as exposure to the methods and theories of historical musicology and music theory. A vital aspect of ethnomusicological training at Harvard is exposure to other disciplines, with particular emphasis upon anthropology, history, area studies, linguistic training, and theoretical frameworks related to the student’s specialization.

The Ethnomusicology laboratory ,  Archive of World Music , special library collections,  Peabody Museum , musical instrument collection (India, Iran, Mali, Zimbabwe), extensive sound and video archives (including the Archive of World Music and  Hiphop Archive & Research Institute ). The  Asia Center ,  Reischauer Institute ,  Center for African Studie s,  Center for Middle Eastern Studies ,  Hutchins Center  for African & African American Research, South Asia Institute,  David Rockefeller Center  for Latin American Studies, and several other campus institutions provide additional intellectual resources and funding for student research and language study. Faculty and graduate students hold conferences each year on a variety of topics; music faculty, artists in residence, and visiting artists often enrich coursework and provide opportunities for students to perform. 

Language Requirements for Ethnomusicology

The PhD in music theory is characterized both by a deep involvement in the inner workings of music and by an engagement with the wider philosophical, cultural, and psychological questions surrounding music. The program reflects this interdisciplinary interest of our students, and its structure is designed to explore the links of music theory to other areas of critical engagement. The graduate curriculum in music theory was fundamentally revised in 2018 with the view to the specific needs of professional music theorists in the twenty-first century.  The diverse dissertation projects that our doctoral students propose reflect the unique combination of interests. Recent and current PhD topics include microtonality and colonialism in the 19th century, musical forgery and forensics, the practice of recomposition in music theory, Scandinavian death metal, transformation theory and Hollywood film, and musical and visual lines in the early 20th century. Many of our students establish their interdisciplinary credentials by taking formal qualifications in a  secondary field  outside of music. Students receive a solid basis for their research by honing their musicianship and analytical skills, particularly during their first year in the program. All students take courses on Schenkerian theory and on a range of tonal and post-tonal analytical practices, as well as an introductory course to explore current issues in the field. At the same time, the program also encourages students to build a framework in which to place these techniques and to reflect on the underpinnings of music theory. Regular courses on questions in psychology, temporality, history of music theory, hermeneutics, and aesthetics round off our course offerings and often take music theory into interdisciplinary territory. In addition to studying canonic repertories, graduate courses on challenging repertoires—e.g. modal theory, non-Western music, or very recent composition—expand the field in new directions.  Our course offerings are complemented by a regular workshop in music theory, currently called Theory Tuesdays, in which faculty and students discuss current work, practice analytical techniques, or engage disciplinary and transdisciplinary questions in an informal setting. Our faculty are actively engaged in Harvard’s numerous interdisciplinary centers ( MBB ,  Medieval Studies ,  CES ,  HUCE , etc.). Harvard’s state-of-the-art  Sound Lab  provides the tools and expertise for digital and media-based research, and provides a conduit for music theory to the field of sound studies.

Language Requirement for Theory

Theorists must pass translation exams in two relevant research languages. The languages will be chosen in consultation with the graduate advisor, and should reflect, wherever possible, languages that will be useful to future research. One language requirement must normally be completed before generals, and the second must be completed in the fall semester of the third year.

Harvard’s program in composition is designed to give students the time and opportunity to develop as composers by offering general musical guidance as well as specific individual criticism of their works. The program is centered around the students’ achieving clarity of expression through developing their command of compositional technique. In addition, acquaintance with the literature of the past and present through analysis and performance is considered indispensable. Most courses are seminars and deal with specific topics or student works.PhD candidates in composition take 16 courses throughout their first two years. Students get a weekly individual composition lesson, and choose from composition and electronic music courses and other offerings within the department in theory, historical musicology, ethnomusicology, and CPCI, or graduate courses from other departments at Harvard. When needed, in the first year there is also a remedial course in harmony and analysis. Students of all years are required to attend the weekly composition colloquium.

The third, fourth, and fifth years are devoted to work on the dissertation and teaching, as well as active participation in composition colloquia and Harvard Group for New Music concerts. Composers may spend one term during their 4th year at another art institution or university if a particular research project or artistic residency can be obtained.

On the completion of preparatory training and the passing of the General Examinations (during the summer before the third year), PhD dissertations comprising a substantial portfolio of between five and seven pieces of varied scoring and length may be submitted.

Language Requirement: once enrolled, Composition students must pass a language exam in German, Italian or French unless an alternative language is approved in writing by the graduate advisor.

The program in  Creative Practice and Critical Inquiry  is designed as a special opportunity for exceptional, engaged artist-scholars. Such individuals might frame themselves as composer-performers whose work is driven by a research sensibility, or as committed scholars whose concurrent active involvement in music-making informs and propels their intellectual projects. Candidates interested in this category should clearly lay out their academic interests and musical experience, including research goals and a portfolio of creative work. They should present a clear rationale for the integrated, cross-disciplinary nature of their work.

In the first two years of coursework, students survey multiple fields of intellectual inquiry while nurturing and refining their creative work. Students in the program may take any of the graduate courses offered by the Department of Music, and occasional courses in other departments and programs with approval from the graduate advisor, as well as practice-based music-making courses (composition, improvisation, creative music, and interdisciplinary collaborations). 

During the summer after the second year of study, candidates will take three to four exams, to be determined in close consultation with the faculty. These include a preliminary portfolio of creative work, written exams on theoretical/analytical and historical/cultural topics relevant to the candidate’s individual research goals, and an oral exam encompassing all of the above.

The dissertation should offer original research and creative work that strikes a balance within this unique combination of interests.

Language Requirement: Once enrolled, CP/CI students must pass a language exam in a language relevant to their research interests, to be approved in writing by the graduate advisor.

Admission to the Graduate Program: Frequently Asked Questions

The Music Department does not require applicants to submit GRE scores. Submission of scores is permitted, and when submitted, GRE scores are taken into account during the admissions process. But those who do not submit such scores will not be penalized.

Note: Those who choose to take the GRE and submit their results do not need to take the Music GRE test, and should take the general GRE (math/language).

We take GRE scores into consideration along with the entire dossier, not as a single factor that determines the outcome of an application.

The annual deadline is usually January 2 for entrance the following fall term. Check the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin GSAS website for each year’s deadline.

Yes. If you are accepted into our PhD program, the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences will offer you a financial package that guarantees funding for six years, and includes both tuition and living expenses. Teaching stipends may make up part of the package from the student’s third year on. There are also opportunities for additional funding. The Department (and Harvard Griffin GSAS) awards prizes, fellowships, stipends, and grants each year to graduate students for language study, dissertation completion, research assistance, and travel, among other pursuits.

Yes. You need to support your application with samples of your work, be it scholarly or creative.

Students whose native language is not English or who do not have an  undergraduate  degree from English-speaking university are required to take and pass the TOEFL. The recommended passing score is 80.

While many of our entering students do have degrees in music, backgrounds and degrees vary widely. We look at all-around preparation of our applicants and their overall excellence. As a Music Department, we do look for training and expertise in one or more music traditions and an ability to deal successfully with a curriculum that has requirements across the music subdisciplines as well as interdisciplinary studies.

The Harvard graduate program in Music is a doctoral program. The subdisciplines of musicology, ethnomusicology, composition, creative practice/critical inquiry, and music theory do not admit candidates for the Master’s Degree only.

We permit transfer of credit for no more than two courses. Students are allowed to request transfer credit if they are in good standing after the first year of coursework at Harvard and on submission of details about the course for which credit is requested. Graduate courses taken as an undergraduate student may not be presented for credit if those courses counted toward the undergraduate degree.

Our programs both require and encourage coursework in other sub-disciplines of music.

We have graduate programs in historical musicology, ethnomusicology, theory, creative practice/critical inquiry, and composition. Our programs are small, so it is important that you apply to the program closest to your major interests. If the faculty feel your application would be better served in another sub-discipline, they will direct it there.

Harvard has extraordinary course offerings across the disciplines and we encourage our graduate students to take courses that will enhance their knowledge.

You can enroll in language courses to meet the language requirements of our programs, but these courses do not count toward credit for the PhD.

The Harvard Griffin GSAS offers admitted Music students six years of full funding, in the form of stipends, teaching fellowships and finishing grants (this amount covers living expenses as well as tuition). Departmental resources include special funds for summer research and some additional fellowships.

Although we encourage performance, our graduate program is an academic one and performance activities do not count towards a degree (with the exception of creative practice/critical inquiry). As a Department of Music which does not have a performance faculty, we are not able to provide vocal or instrumental lessons. There is a lively musical scene on campus and graduate students are welcome to join many University ensembles, including those sponsored by Dudley House. Graduate student musicians sometimes perform on the special noontime University Hall Recital Series. The Harvard Group for New Music performs student compositions. Boston is home to an active musical world and many students participate as performers in music traditions ranging from early music to jazz.

No. Unfortunately, faculty are not usually available to meet with prospective students.

Prospective graduate students can email [email protected] to ask questions. If you visit the campus you may be able to talk with other students, sit in on a class, or attend a concert or lecture; email ahead to see what is possible.

Admissions Requirements

Phd program.

To apply to the PhD program in musicology, ethnomusicology, theory, composition or CPCI, you must make an application to the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). All applications are online, and may be found (along with all the requirements, fee information, and procedures) at  http://www.gsas.harvard.edu/apply All recipients of a four-year college degree or its international equivalent may apply (students with and without master’s degrees may apply). If you are unsure whether you are eligible, please read the Harvard Griffin GSAS guidelines. Admissions decisions are made by Music Department faculty, who weigh a combination of factors such as past academic record, strength of scholarly (or compositional or performance) work, and recommendations. The TOEFL test may be required if English is not your first language (recommended minimum score is 80). Detailed information pertaining to requirements for admission are on the Harvard Griffin GSAS site listed above. The GRE General Examination is optional for all applicants.

Samples of previous work

Applicants to the all programs must submit, along with their applications, samples of their previous scholarly work (for composition applicants, this means scores and recordings; see below). The online application will allow you to upload up to 20 pages of material.

Applicants to the Creative Practice and Critical Inquiry PhD program must also submit 20 to 30 minutes of original creative work, in the form of links to online audio or video streams (Soundcloud, YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) or links to a file download (via Dropbox or similar). You may upload or share accompanying scores in PDF format to SLATE. Students should include a one page PDF containing links to online recordings. Applicants to the composition PhD program must submit three compositions in the form of links to online audio or video streams (Soundcloud, YouTube, Vimeo, etc). Recordings can be submitted as links to SoundCloud or other online resources. Students should include a one page PDF containing links to online recordings and PDF scores where applicable. The year of composition must be marked on all scores and recordings.

Submitting an Application

Harvard Griffin GSAS handles the admissions materials. All questions about the admissions process, as well as all application supplementary materials, should be sent to them by December 31 for candidates who seek entrance in the following fall term.

Admissions and Financial Aid Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Harvard University 1350 Massachusetts Avenue Holyoke Center 350 Cambridge, MA 02138-3654

Download an application electronically:  http://www.gsas.harvard.edu/apply You are required to upload all supporting documents (transcripts, writing samples, recommendations, etc) to the online application. If you have questions about your application, call 617-496-6100 (2-5pm EST) or write  [email protected] For financial aid questions call  617-495-5396  or email  [email protected] NOTE: Please do not call the Music Department about the status of your application or the return of your materials. Application materials only come to the Music Department at the very last stages of the process, and are held here in complete confidentiality until admissions recommendations are made.

We have a robust graduate student community, including through the Graduate Music Forum, weekly colloquia and lunch talk series, and performances ensembles in the GSAS Student Center. For more information about community activities happening in the music department, please consult the resources for graduate students page .

Visiting the Department

You are welcome to visit the Department at any time, although we in no way require or expect you to make the trip. We regret that we are not able to make appointments with individual faculty members during a pre-admissions visit.

If you do decide to make a visit prior to the admissions deadline there are optimum times to visit, such as between October and our December holiday break. If you visit at another time of the year, check the academic schedule to avoid reading/exam periods and semester breaks. It is not necessary to visit, nor should you see it as a way to improve your chances of admission.

Rather, a visit is simply a good way to learn about our Department’s intellectual environment and infrastructure. We urge you to consult the  course schedule  so that you can plan to sit in on one or more graduate seminars (please ask permission of the instructing professor first: music professors can be reached via email at [email protected]). This is the best way to get to know the professors and students.

You may also want to attend any colloquia, lectures, or faculty seminars that coincide with your visit (check our  calendar ), or to tour the Music Library and other Harvard libraries. It may also be possible to chat informally with some of our current graduate students, who are apt to be working in the department and library during the academic year.

Admitted students  are invited to visit as part of our admissions process (usually in March). At that time, admitted students meet with faculty, get to know our current students, and are introduced to other students who have also been admitted. This is not required, but is a good way for admitted students to get a sense of the program before they make their final decision.

Secondary Field in Musicology/Ethnomusicology

• Completion of a minimum of four courses in Music. • One of these courses must be an introductory course: Music 201a: Introduction to Historical Musicology, Music 201b: Introduction to Ethnomusicology, or Music 221: Current Issues in Theory. • The remaining three courses may be chosen from other graduate courses (200 level: “Primarily for Graduates”) or intermediate courses (150 level or above: “For Undergraduates and Graduates”). (No more than two courses may be chosen from the 150 or above level.) • Neither Pass/Fail nor audited courses will count towards a secondary PhD field. Contact the advisor in Ethnomusicology or in Musicology in the Department of Music for additional information on a secondary PhD field.

Declaring a Secondary Field

Students interested in declaring a secondary field in music should submit the “GSAS Secondary Field Application” to the Director of Graduate Studies as evidence of their successful participation in four appropriate courses in the Music Department. Once they obtain the approval of the DGS they and the registrar will receive certification of successful completion of secondary field requirements.

For further information contact the Director of Graduate Studies, Harvard University Department of Music, Music Building, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138  617-495-2791   [email protected]

For additional information  click here

Graduate Programs

The links to individual graduate programs and the  Doctoral Certificate in Composition  provided in the menu to the left provide a basic accounting of the major academic milestones associated with each particular graduate program.  Links to outside sources and forms are included to assist you with locating proper forms and instructions guiding the policies involved with each milestone. These pages contain  some, but not all,  department-specific policies, procedures, and degree requirements. The department reserves the right to make changes at any time without prior notice. Further information and resources are available in the  Department of Music Graduate Handbook , from the Chair of the Graduate Studies Committee and from student services staff.

It is the responsibility of each student to familiarize themselves with this information and to seek clarification as needed. Additionally, it is the student's responsibility to review the  Department of Music Graduate Handbook  on an annual basis.

Masters Programs

Master of Arts (MA) in Music, Science, and Technology

The MA in Music, Science, and Technology (MA/MST) degree is a two-year degree granted at the successful completion of specific coursework.  The MA/MST program is designed for candidates having an undergraduate engineering, science, music, or arts degree, or a degree that includes course work in engineering mathematics. Courses and research topics include music perception, music-related signal processing, human-computer interaction, synthesis, and inter-media among others.

[N.B. The MA/MST program is the only terminal Master's degree offered by the Department; it is two years in duration. It is available to current Stanford undergraduates as a  Coterminal Master's , current Stanford graduate students, and external applicants.]

Master of Arts (MA) in Composition

Master of Arts (MA) in Computer-Based Music Theory and Acoustics

Master of Arts (MA) in Music History

[N.B. The three MAs listed above are available only to current doctoral students in Music who wish to add a Master’s degree to their existing doctoral program. ]

Learn more about the Master's programs in the Stanford Bulletin

Doctoral Programs

The DMA in composition is offered to a limited number of students who demonstrate substantial training in the field and high promise of attainment as composers. Students may work in traditional and/or electronic forms. Breadth is achieved through studies in other branches of music and in relevant fields outside of music, as desirable. In addition to formal coursework and independent study, candidates are required to write a number of works in various forms and to present a public lecture-demonstration based on their final project, a large-scale composition.

Learn more about the DMA in Composition 

The PhD program in computer-based music theory and acoustics is offered by the Department of Music through the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA, pronounced "karma"). CCRMA is a multidisciplinary facility attracting PhD students from several departments and schools across campus including Computer Science (CS), Electrical Engineering (EE), Mechanical Engineering (ME), and Psychology (PSYCH). While all  CCRMA faculty  hold positions within the Department of Music,  Julius Smith  also holds a courtesy appointment in EE which enables him to serve as primary thesis advisor for PhD students in EE.  Ge Wang  holds a courtesy appointment in CS and, likewise, may serve as a primary thesis advisor for PhDs in CS. [N.B. Application for graduate study is handled by the corresponding home department.]

Learn more about the PhD in Computer-Based Music Theory and Acoustics 

The first three years of graduate study for graduates in musicology are devoted to completion of required coursework and passage of the qualifying and special area examinations. After the successful defense of the dissertation proposal (incorporated within the special area exam), the student concentrates on research and writing of the dissertation. The dissertation demonstrates the student’s ability to work systematically and independently to produce a substantial work of competent scholarship.

Learn more about the PhD in Musicology

Ethnomusicology at Stanford prepares students to study sound, listening, and musical practices in diverse social and cultural contexts. Intensive training in fieldwork and ethnographic methods as well as critical theory, performance studies, anthropology, and area studies are central to the program. A vital aspect of students’ experience is collaboration with historical musicology, composition, EuroAmerican music theory, and creative music-making. 

Learn more about the PhD in Ethnomusicology

Applications to the above programs may be made directly from a Bachelor’s program.

Learn more about the PhD programs in the Stanford Bulletin

Learn more about the DMA program in the Stanford Bulletin

Learn about applying to the Graduate Programs

• Graduate Degree Programs

PhD in Musicology

The PhD in Musicology is for students who wish to achieve a high level of knowledge in music history and the methodologies of musicology. The program aims to provide local, regional, national, and international leadership in the field of musicology. The emphasis on research and broad exposure to numerous approaches to analyzing music, as well as experience teaching in the classroom, is meant to prepare students for a variety of fields in or related to music history.

The PhD program, which has grown dramatically over the past decade and attracted a world-class faculty, has a reputation for placing its graduates in major programs in musicology and related fields across the country. The students in the PhD program are active in the larger academic community, giving papers at national and international juried conferences, publishing articles in major refereed journals in all corners of the discipline, and winning highly competitive awards, including fellowships from the American Council of Learned Societies, the American Musicological Society (AMS 50), and the Fulbright Program.

The PhD program in Musicology was reviewed in 2016 as required by the Ohio Board of Regents. The next review will take place in 2024. Program goals and objectives were revised in the summer of 2016.

Applicants with good academic records from fully accredited universities and colleges will be considered for admission to graduate study at Case Western Reserve University. Admission must be recommended by the department or professional school of the university in which the applicant proposes to study and must be approved by the dean of graduate studies. 

The PhD in Musicology is granted in recognition of superior scholarly ability and attainment. Award of the degree is based not only on computation of time or enumeration of courses, but also upon distinguished work. Many applicants enter the program after completing a master’s degree in Musicology or Music History, but highly qualified applicants may enter directly upon completion of bachelor’s degree.

More information about the graduate application and audition process in music is provided in the  Graduate Application Procedures .

Graduate Application Procedures

Program Requirements

All programs of study are formulated to suit the individual needs of the student and require the consent of the research advisor and Coordinator of Graduate Studies. The PhD requires 36 credit units of coursework and an additional 18 credit units of  MUHI 701  Dissertation Ph.D.. Students must submit the "Pre-Doctoral Standing" form in the spring of the second year in order to register for 6 credit units (3 credit units per semester) of  MUHI 701 . Required coursework includes three doctoral seminars  MUHI 590  Seminar in Musicology,  MUHI 610  Research Methods in Music, and  MUHI 612  Analysis for Music Historians. In the first two years, students will be expected to take three seminars (9 credit units) per semester, for a total of 36 units.

Find detailed program requirements, course distribution, and a sample plan of study in the  General Bulletin . 

Music Handbook and Advising

Current graduate and professional students in music should review departmental policies and procedures in the  Graduate Music Handbook . The handbook provides additional information regarding graduate assistantships, general expectations and responsibilities, program outcomes, decision points, performances, scholarly activity, outside work, prizes/awards, deadlines, petitions, examinations, advancement to candidacy, and student record-keeping.

Additional resources and forms are available on the  Resources for Current Graduate and Professional Music Students .

• Department of Music >
• Graduate >

PhD in Historical Musicology and Music Theory

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The Music Library's primary mission is to support the instructional and research needs of the UB Music Department. 

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Reflecting the faculty’s scholarly work, graduate seminars in Historical Musicology and Music Theory focus on specific historical repertories and methodologies that approach the study of music from diverse theoretical perspectives. Our faculty members have expertise in a wide range of music, and have been published in many of the leading English-language journals, including The   Journal of the American Musicological Society, Early Music History, The Musical Quarterly, Music and Letters, Popular Music, Nineteenth-Century Music Review, Women and Music  and  The Journal of Musicological Research,  as well as in numerous collections .  As a result, graduate students have the opportunity to encounter the following repertories in depth: the music of the Viennese Classics (up to and including late Beethoven), music of the Romantic era, the Second Viennese School, avant-garde music since 1945, American music, popular music’s, particularly country music, film music and postmodern musical practices. 

Additionally, graduate seminars offer training and exposure to more traditional modes of archival research, historical methodology, notation and bibliography alongside theoretical issues. Students will be exposed to and educated in critical theory concentrating on Adorno and feminist criticism, cultural studies that consider the representations of gender, race, and class in music and the relationship between music and the body, media studies, aesthetics and politics, as well as a wide range of philosophical issues, particularly those of the continental tradition. In this vein, our students benefit from the remarkable UB Music Library , with its excellent collection of scores and recordings, housed in Baird Hall. 

Such a variety of offerings is unprecedented from a faculty of modest proportions. Moreover, since graduate enrollment remains relatively select, the department is equipped to offer personalized attention impossible to find in larger programs. As befits the pioneering history of the department, this field of study is perfect for students with an interest in developing unique approaches to music that simultaneously engage with, and contribute to, the field of musicology.   

Course requirements (core)

The following is the approved normal course of study for students pursuing a PhD in Historical Musicology and Music Theory. In all cases, a student's particular program should be determined in consultation with his/her academic advisor.  Customized tracks, involving substitutions for required and elective courses, are encouraged. These must be planned in advance with the advisor and will require the approval of the Music Department Graduate Committee.

Required for all PhD students:

Additional requirements:

course requirements (tracks)

Historical Musicology Track:

Music Theory Track:

Foreign Language requirement

Historical Musicology Track : Two foreign languages, one of which must be German. The second is usually French or Italian, although a language specifically appropriate to the student's proposed dissertation topic can be substituted upon petition.

Music Theory Track : Two foreign languages, one of which must be German. The other language is often French, although a different language can be substituted upon petition.

We advise students to complete the language requirement as early as possible, as many graduate courses require research in a foreign language.

Cognate or Elective Courses

Historical Musicology Track : Students need not declare a formal cognate area, though they may elect to take both of their required non-Musicology electives in a single discipline. Examples of disciplines in which elective courses might be taken include Music Theory, Composition, Comparative Literature, Computer Science, History, Media Study, and Arts administration. 

Music Theory Track : Two or more graduate courses in the same area (either within or outside of Music), related to Music Theory. Normally a student's cognate courses will contribute to or support the research to be done for the dissertation. Examples of possible cognate areas are Music Performance, Music Composition, Philosophy, Mathematics, Art History, Literary Criticism, and Acoustics.

Comprehensive Examinations

Historical Musicology Track : four separate examinations are taken after completion of all course work and language requirements.

• Two 5-hour examinations in Musicology, each in an area outside the area of the proposed PhD dissertation. "Area" is usually defined chronologically (e.g., a hundred-year historical period), but might, with the approval of the Musicology faculty, be defined topically or methodologically.
• One 8-hour examination in Musicology in the area of the proposed PhD dissertation.
• Each of the three written examinations includes one substantial essay on an analytical/theoretical topic (usually a score analysis).
• An oral examination in Music Theory and Musicology, including follow-up questions on the other portions of the examination.

Music Theory Track : four separate examinations are taken after completion of all course work and language requirements.

• A 4-hour examination in Music Theory, including exercises in harmony or counterpoint, short analysis questions, problems in mathematical theory, and essay questions on recent theoretical literature.
• Two 8-hour projects in analysis, addressing two substantial passages or pieces, one of which is in common-practice tonal style, the other from the 20th century. These projects are designed to test skills in orthodox modes of analysis (Schenker, set theory), as well as the ability to devise analytical strategies appropriate to the special features of a particular musical work. The student may use the research facilities of the University (libraries computer resources, etc.) in accomplishing these projects.
• A 3-hour examination in Music History and the History of Music Theory.
• An oral examination in Music Theory and Music History, including follow-up questions on the other portions of the examination.

thesis/dissertation

Students who do not already have a Masters degree must submit a project that demonstrates advanced competence in research and writing. This project may be an MA thesis, a series of special papers, or a written work of equivalent scope and depth. The PhD dissertation must be a substantial original contribution to the field of Historical Musicology or Music Theory.

Retention Standards

All degree coursework must be completed with grades of "A," B," or "S."

Contact professor James Currie, Musicology Area Coordinator

James Currie

Director of Graduate Studies; Associate Professor (Historical Musicology); Area Coordinator, Historical Musicology

Department of Music

306 Baird Hall

Phone: (716) 645-0629

Email: [email protected]

Music History and Literature Graduate Programs in America

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Tisch School of the Arts

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• • Rating 4.75 out of 5   8 reviews

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College of Fine Arts - University of Texas - Austin

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• • Rating 3.5 out of 5   2 reviews

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PhD in Music

In the Department of Music and Dance’s graduate programs in music, you’ll gain professional training for a variety of careers in classical and jazz performance, education, history and theory, conducting, and composition/arranging. In the master of music degree, you can choose from ten concentrations, with additional professional certificates available in music theory pedagogy, music history pedagogy, and arts management. The PhD in music education immerses you in innovative pedagogical practices, guiding you to create and publish your research while also amassing extensive classroom teaching experience.

Application information & deadlines

December 1, 2023, february 1, 2024.

Training for a variety of careers in classical and jazz performance, music education, history and theory, conducting, and composition/arranging.

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Awards: PhD

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Music

Discovery Day

Join us online on 18th April to learn more about postgraduate study at Edinburgh

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Research profile

The Reid School of Music offers an exciting research environment that combines the theory, history, composition and practice of music with the scientific study of sound.

We engage with a broad range of genres and traditions, including:

• classical and popular music
• Western and non-Western music
• professional and amateur music making
• music for screen

Our research is highly interdisciplinary, with centres and groups spanning other colleges and departments within the University of Edinburgh, from physics and neuroscience to informatics, the humanities, divinity and the social sciences.

We have a large community of postgraduate students undertaking independent research in music.

Staff have a wide range of research interests, engaging in research clustered around four main themes:

History, Theory, and Sociology of Music, including 19th- and 20th-century music, popular music, aesthetics and sociology

Music and the Human Sciences, including music psychology and cognition, and music in the community

Musical Practice, including composition (electroacoustic, algorithmic, computer music and music for screen), and historical and contemporary performance research

Music, Sound and Technology, including musical acoustics and organology

Some of our current hubs of research activity include:

• Acoustics and Audio Group
• ECA Digitals
• Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments
• Institute for Music in Human and Social Development

Please consult our staff profiles on the programme website to see interests and availability. You may propose projects in any area for consideration.

Programme structure

The PhD programme comprises three years of full-time (six years part-time) research under the supervision of an expert in your chosen research topic within music. This period of research culminates in a supervised thesis of up to a maximum of 100,000 words.

Regular individual meetings with your supervisor provide guidance and focus for the course of research you are undertaking.

You will be encouraged to attend research methods courses at the beginning of your research studies.

For every year you are enrolled on programme you will be required to complete an annual progression review.

Training and support

All of our research students benefit from Edinburgh College of Art's interdisciplinary approach, and you will be assigned at least two research supervisors.

Your first/ lead supervisor would normally be based in the same subject area as your degree programme. Your second supervisor may be from another discipline within ECA or elsewhere within the University of Edinburgh, according to the expertise required. On occasion more than two supervisors will be assigned, particularly where the degree brings together multiple disciplines.

Our research culture is supported by seminars and public lecture programmes and discussion groups.

Tutoring opportunities will be advertised to the postgraduate research community, which you can apply for should you wish to gain some teaching experience during your studies. But you are not normally advised to undertake tutoring work in the first year of your research studies, while your main focus should be on establishing the direction of your research.

You are encouraged to attend courses at the Institute for Academic Development ( IAD ), where all staff and students at the University of Edinburgh are supported through a range of training opportunities, including:

• short courses in compiling literature reviews
• writing in a second language
• preparing for your viva

The Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities ( SGSAH ) offers further opportunities for development. You will also be encouraged to refer to the Vitae research development framework as you grow into a professional researcher.

You will have access to study space (some of which are 24-hour access), studios and workshops at Edinburgh College of Art’s campus, as well as University wide resources. There are several bookable spaces for the development of exhibitions, workshops or seminars. And you will have access to well-equipped multimedia laboratories, photography and exhibition facilities, shared recording space, access to recording equipment available through Bookit the equipment loan booking system.

You will have access to high quality library facilities. Within the University of Edinburgh, there are three libraries:

• the Main Library
• the ECA library
• the Art and Architecture Library

The Centre for Research Collections which holds the University of Edinburgh’s historic collections is also located in the Main Library.

The Talbot Rice Gallery is a public art gallery of the University of Edinburgh and part of Edinburgh College of Art, which is committed to exploring what the University of Edinburgh can contribute to contemporary art practice today and into the future. You will also have access to the extraordinary range and quality of exhibitions and events associated with a leading college of art situated within a world-class research-intensive university.

St Cecilia’s Hall, which is Scotland’s oldest purpose-built concert hall, also houses the Music Museum which holds one of the most important historic musical instrument collections anywhere in the world.

In addition to the University’s facilities you will also be able to access wider resources within the City of Edinburgh. These include:

• National Library of Scotland
• Scottish Studies Library and Digital Archives
• City of Edinburgh Libraries
• Historic Environment Scotland
• the National Trust for Scotland

You will also benefit from the University of Edinburgh’s extensive range of student support facilities provided, including:

• student societies
• accommodation
• wellbeing and support services

PhD by Distance option

The PhD by Distance is available to suitably qualified applicants in all the same areas as our on-campus programmes.

The PhD by Distance allows students who do not wish to commit to basing themselves in Edinburgh to study for a PhD in an ECA subject area from their home country or city.

There is no expectation that students studying for an ECA PhD by Distance study mode should visit Edinburgh during their period of study. However, short-term visits for particular activities could be considered on a case-by-case basis.

• PhD by Distance at ECA

Entry requirements

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

Normally a UK Masters degree or its international equivalent. If you do not meet the academic entry requirements, we may still consider your application on the basis of relevant professional experience.

You must also submit a research proposal; see How to Apply section for guidance.

If your research is practice-based a portfolio should also be submitted; see How to Apply section for guidance.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Additional programme costs.

No additional costs

Tuition fees

Scholarships and funding, featured funding.

• Edinburgh College of Art scholarships

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK's governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• Edinburgh College of Art Postgraduate Research Team Student and Academic Support Service
• Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5741
• Contact: [email protected]
• Postgraduate Research Director, Music, Dr Benedict Taylor
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 4155
• Contact: [email protected]
• The University of Edinburgh
• Evolution House, 78 West Port
• Central Campus
• Programme: Music
• School: Edinburgh College of Art
• College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD Music - 3 Years (Full-time)

Phd music - 6 years (part-time), phd music by distance - 3 years (full-time), phd music by distance - 6 years (part-time), application deadlines.

If you are applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible. All applications must be received by the deadlines listed above.

• How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

One of your references must be an academic reference and preferably from your most recent studies.

You should submit a research proposal that outlines your project's aims, context, process and product/outcome. Read the application guidance before you apply.

• Preparing your application - postgraduate research degrees (PDF)

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Departments of Music

• Graduate Programs
• Musicology (Ph.D.)

Doctor of Philosophy in Musicology

• Composition (M.M.)
• Sacred Music (M.M.)
• Pedagogy (M.M.)
• Performance (M.M.)
• Musicology (M.A.)
• Composition (D.M.A.)
• Pedagogy (D.M.A.)
• Performance (D.M.A.)
• Sacred Music (D.M.A.)

(This program is not currently accepting students).

The doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is offered only in the field of musicology. Musicology in this sense is interpreted to mean the entire field of music that is appropriate for scholarly research. A suitable subject for the dissertation must be selected from the specific fields of music history.

The student must file an application with the Ph.D. committee for admission to the Ph.D. program and must conform to the general requirements for admission to candidacy as outlined in the section on the doctoral degree in the general information section of the Announcements . Two letters of recommendation are required, at least one of which should be from a professor of music history, music theory, or other academic courses. The application must include at least one substantial original research paper on any musical topic. The writing sample should demonstrate solid bibliographical skills, critical use of sources, strong writing and organizational skills, and proficiency in identifying a problem and formulating an original argument. The Master's thesis (or a portion thereof) is often appropriate.

Students whose first language is not English must submit TOEFL results of 80 or higher (iBT test), (for paper-based test: 550 or higher; for computer-based test: 213 or higher), to be considered for admission. For the iBT test, at least 20 out of 30 in each of the subcategories is required.

The M.A. in musicology or a comparable preparation is a prerequisite for entry into the Ph.D. program. The M.M. in performance may constitute preparation comparable to the M.A. in some instances, but in others additional work in the form of specific courses may be required. The master's degree, however, is only a minimal prerequisite and in itself is not sufficient. An admissions committee will screen all applicants to determine their abilities to pursue doctoral work. Judgment will be based on the following: demonstrated ability in previous studies, writing and research skills, academic references indicating the aptitude and desire for research in the field and interviews with the admissions committee and with certain other members of the faculty, depending on the particular interests of the applicant. A student who intends to complete both the M.A. and the Ph.D. at The Catholic University of America must normally complete the master's thesis before the Admissions Committee will consider an application for admission to the Ph.D. program.

Applicants must complete music history and music theory placement examinations before registration is completed. If the results of these examinations indicate areas of deficiency, the student must remove these deficiencies by taking specified graduate review or undergraduate courses. These courses do not count toward degree requirements.

The student must also work out a clear program of study in consultation with the adviser and dissertation major professor. The subject for dissertation research can be one of the strongest factors in determining the student's actual courses. All students must choose a minor field as part of their program of study; this minor field is often a related area within music, though other fields may be chosen as appropriate to the student's interests and qualifications. Proficiency in the major and minor fields will be tested in written comprehensive examinations (MUS 998A w/classes; MUS 998B w/o classes). Students will consult with the adviser as to their preparedness before presenting themselves for these examinations. To be admitted to candidacy, the student must pass both major and minor comprehensive examinations and must be recommended by the faculty in the area of study.

Students must also demonstrate a reading knowledge of French and German. In some instances another language (such as Latin, for example) may be substituted for one of these if it is pertinent to the candidate's research. Students are expected to pass at least one foreign language examination during the first semester of graduate study (or, if part time, before completing 12 semester hours), and the other examination within one year after they begin graduate work (or, if part time, before completing 24 semester hours). Both foreign language requirements must be completed before the student is permitted to take the comprehensive examinations.

A graduate student who has received a grade of C or F in a graduate course is permitted to repeat the course one time. The calculation of the grade point average will include only the grade earned in the repeated course. For students in graduate programs, an average of B or better is required for graduation.

Candidates for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Musicology are referred to the general section of these Announcements under the heading The Doctoral Degree for information regarding coursework, transfer of credits, language, comprehensive examinations, admission to candidacy, dissertation, criteria for dissertation, oral examination, publication of dissertation, copyright and completion of requirements and request for extension.

Program of Study

The Ph.D. degree in music history is a research degree for students primarily interested in the field of music history. The program for each student will be planned by the student's adviser and is subject to the approval of the dean.

Enrollment is required each semester in residence.

The selection of period courses shall be made in consultation with the adviser; the required period courses shall be determined by performance on the music history placement exam, and previous course experience in the Master of Arts degree, as well as the need to provide a well-rounded selection of courses covering all periods of music history. If deemed necessary, period courses may replace one or more electives. A minimum of 12 additional semester hours must be taken in the minor field, with the expectation that these 12 hours are sufficient to provide a solid base of knowledge in the subject area. If additional hours are deemed necessary for the minor, these shall be drawn from the electives. If the minor field is in music theory, the student shall take the following courses: Analytical Techniques I and II (six semester hours) and electives in theory (six semester hours). A minor field outside of music may be chosen if the student has the necessary undergraduate prerequisites to qualify for graduate courses and if such a field is pertinent to the student's program. For example, students who wish to write dissertations on subjects in the medieval period and who have adequate preparation will be encouraged to take 12 semester hours of medieval Latin as part of their minor. Other minor fields that provide a valuable complement to courses in music history are anthropology, history and art history. Minor fields in performance may be permitted, pending a successful audition and approval by both the musicology faculty and the appropriate applied music faculty; a minor in performance requires 15 semester hours and a graduate-level recital, as explained in the section below. In deciding on a minor field, students should consult with both their musicology adviser and appropriate faculty adviser in the field in which they propose to take their minor. Students who select a minor field other than music theory are still strongly encouraged to select Analytical Techniques I and II as two of their electives.

Minor in Performance

A student who wishes to pursue a minor in performance must first audition for the appropriate applied music faculty, who will determine whether or not the student qualifies for applied music study at the graduate level. If approved by both the applied music faculty and the musicology faculty, the minor field will then consist of fifteen semester hours: six in applied music and nine in pedagogy and literature. The student must also give one graduate-level recital and take a written comprehensive examination on pedagogy and literature of that performance discipline.

Minor in Latin American Music

A student who wishes to pursue a minor in Latin American music will determine, in consultation with the faculty adviser, a program containing at least twelve semester hours of Latin American music electives. The student must pass a comprehensive examination in the minor area. In addition, one of the student's two foreign languages should be Spanish, and the dissertation must be written on a Latin American music topic. If the student elects to use applied music instruction as part of the minor area requirements, a significant portion of the repertoire studied must consist of music by Latin American composers. In lieu of the dissertation on a topic in Latin American music, a student who has elected to pursue the Minor in Latin American music may--in consultation with the faculty adviser--elect to complete two significant research projects (beyond the requirements of a class) and present these as formal papers to the Musicology Colloquium. These papers should be fully documented studies around twenty-five pages in length. This option is available for students who have elected to do a dissertation on a topic outside Latin American music. If the student elects this option, the minor still carries with it the other requirements enumerated above.

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Main Resources

Main utility, degree requirements, phd in music: music education.

The PhD in Music Education is designed for individuals who have (1) a solid musical background, (2) successful teaching experience, (3) high levels of intellectual capacity, and (4) strong professional leadership abilities. Awarding of the degree is based not only on completion of objective requirements, but on the level of distinction attained by the candidate in the above four qualities.

Program of Study – 18 units

Music Education Core – 2 units

• MUSIC ED 422 Curriculum Development in Music Education
• MUSIC ED 458 Philosophical Basis of Music Education

Research in Music Education – 3 units

• MUSIC ED 523 Paradigms and Processes of Research in Music Teaching and Learning
• MUSIC ED 524 Qualitative Research in Music Education
• MUSIC ED 525 Quantitative Research in Music Education

Music Education Electives – 3 units

Students must select three MUSIC ED courses such as those listed below. For a complete listing of approved courses for PhD Students, see the Graduate Catalog .

• MUSIC ED 401 Music in Higher Education  MUSIC ED 426 World Music Pedagogy   MUSIC ED 430 Seminar in General Music Education  MUSIC ED 435 Selected Topics in Music Education  MUSIC ED 437 Psychology of Music Teaching & Learning

Cognate Area – 3 units

Students enroll in three courses in a non-music field relevant to their main interest.

Electives – 7 units

Focused study leading to a dissertation, musical studies, special needs and interests

MUSIC ED 520 Research Seminar

All PhD students must register continuously for MUSIC ED 520 Research Center Seminar (0 units). Students have the option to take 520 one time for one unit of credit.

Sample PhD Curriculum in Music Education

All courses for the PhD must appear on the authorized list of courses as published by The Graduate School.

Additional Requirements

Center for the Study of Education and the Musical Experience

During the years of residence, regular participation in the weekly seminar of the Center for the Study of Education and the Musical Experience is required. Continuing participation beyond the residence years is strongly encouraged.

Teaching Competency

As a part of their graduate school fellowship, all PhD students are expected to work as both research and teaching assistants. Students must have at least one written observation of their teaching by a music education faculty member along with any student course evaluations as appropriate.

Presentation Outside the Bienen School of Music

This requirement is designed to stimulate early involvement in the presentation of original research at a regional, national, or international level meeting. This requirement is meant to help the student develop professional experiences consistent with those of a professor of music education.

Waiver of Courses

Any course waived because the student has taken it previously, has had the same course elsewhere, or through proficiency determination, will normally be replaced by an elective course in that area of the program. The major advisor may, upon the student’s petition, exercise discretion in this matter, substituting a course outside the area of the waiver for a good cause.

Qualifying Examination and Candidacy

There are four significant steps to candidacy for the PhD in music with a concentration in music education: 

• successful completion of coursework,
• demonstration of successful teaching at the college level,
• peer-reviewed presentation at a professional meeting outside of NU, and
• successful completion of the qualifying examination.

At that point, the student is advanced to candidacy officially and can pursue their dissertation research. Candidacy should be achieved no later than 6 months following completion of course work.

At an appropriate time toward the end of coursework, each student will take a qualifying examination. The examination includes a written portion and an oral defense. Questions for the examination are written by the student with the approval of the examination committee. The answers are presented to the committee in written form and then defended in an oral examination.

Key Milestones

Contact Graduate Services:  [email protected]   847-491-5740

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A Bachelor’s Degree in Music at OHIO To Master Musicianship

For many, music is magical. It’s an art form that speaks to the soul, a language of its own and a means of medical intervention, depending on how it’s used! If you have musical talent and want to use it in your professional future, a bachelor’s degree in music from Ohio University is a perfect pick.

As a music major, you’ll receive not just comprehensive musical training in your instrument of choice or voice, but also a well-rounded education that covers topics such as music theory, applications and history. From beginning to end, OHIO’s undergraduate music degrees provide exciting and enriching experiences for students just like you. Keep reading to learn about:

• About Music Degrees
• Hands-On Experience
• Music Careers

Choose What You Want To Learn

B.m. in music composition.

The Bachelor of Music in Music Composition is the perfect choice for future composers and songwriters, offering students deep educational value and multiple opportunities to hear their music read, performed, and recorded by the Ohio University School of Music.

B.M. in Music Education

The Bachelor of Music in Music Education prepares you to teach music to grades K-12 in 47 states, including Ohio. Students can choose to receive intensive training on a chosen instrument or their voice, as well as emphasize their degree in choral or instrumental music.

B.M. in Music Therapy

The Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy is one of the oldest music therapy programs in the U.S. The music therapist degree program trains students to improve and/or restore the cognitive, emotional or physical functioning of disabled individuals. All students participate in six semesters of pre-internship clinical experiences.

B.M. in Performance

OHIO’s Bachelor of Music in Performance is an applied study degree — students can choose to focus their education in performance areas like brass, organ, voice, keyboard and more. It’s an ideal choice for future professional musicians.

B.A. in Music

The Bachelor of Arts in Music is a broader degree for skilled musicians who want to study a well-rounded list of topics ranging from music history to music theory and more. It leads to a plethora of career opportunities and graduate school programs in music, medicine, business or law.

Choose Where You Want to Learn

Athens, oh, residential campus.

The core music undergraduate experience takes place at Ohio University’s residential campus in Athens . It’s a welcoming, fully staffed University with ample amenities and access to local Athens downtown attractions, as well as nearby outdoor experiences.

Athens Campus

Certain OHIO music undergraduate courses are available at regional campuses. While you can’t complete a full bachelor’s degree in music at any of these regional locations, you can begin or continue your education for a semester or two closer to home if it suits your schedule or personal needs.

Chillicothe Campus

Eastern Campus

Lancaster Campus

Southern Campus

Zanesville Campus

Careers in Music

An undergraduate degree in music opens up a wide range of different career possibilities for your future! 

For example, our B.M. in Music Therapy is an exceptional choice if you want to work in medical hospitals, psychiatric facilities, nursing homes and other locations to help cognitively impaired people recover their abilities or manage disabilities. You’ll use the music-based experiences you learn at OHIO to address different patients’ needs, contributing greatly to their wellness.

Other bachelor’s degrees in music may lead to alternative professional pathways. These include:

• Music composer
• Symphony conductor
• Accompanist
• Band director
• Music teacher
• Arts administrator (such as for a concert venue or music facility)
• Artistic director
• Freelance musician
• Film scorer

In addition to these music careers and opportunities, our Bachelor of Arts in Music program is a well-rounded offering and a true liberal arts degree. Therefore, it prepares you for career flexibility in law, business and other sectors. After completing this degree, you can attend graduate school for your major of interest.

Post-Grad Opportunities for Music Majors

After graduation, many OHIO music majors immediately proceed into the workplace. Thanks to internship opportunities and work experiences during their programs, OHIO graduates frequently leave college with one or more jobs lined up.

However, other graduates proceed to graduate school. Ohio University offers master’s degrees in music, such as music performance and pedagogy, conducting and music history, including continuing majors in topics like music therapy and education.

Marching 110

Many music students at Ohio University are eager to join Marching 110 , our 245-number marching band with a unique marching style and visually dazzling dance routines. Join this program, and you’ll perform at major events in the U.S. and beyond, like NFL halftime shows, which offer unforgettable experiences and opportunities to showcase your music skills in front of massive audiences!

Honors Tutorial College Music Major

Exceptional scholar-musicians may apply to the Honors Tutorial College music program . In this program, you’ll receive dedicated faculty lessons one-on-one and have opportunities to join new musical ensembles. It offers a comprehensive educational experience and serves as a rigorous preparation for a successful career in music, wherever your future may take you.

Get Hands-On Experience With Your Music Degree

The only way to master music is to perform! That’s why OHIO music students participate in a variety of experiential learning opportunities, including performing in one or several different musical ensembles.

OHIO students join ensemble groups based on their instruments and academic focuses, including symphonies , campus orchestras , jazz ensembles and more.

The OHIO Performing Arts Series includes staged concerts and entertainment events at the local Templeton-Blackburn Memorial Auditorium; students can attend and sometimes participate.

Live Music Events

Music students often perform at concerts and symphony performances for fellow students and the broader Athens community.

Music Internships

OHIO’s staff and success advisors help music majors find internships to bolster their resumes by working with local music groups and businesses.

Music Therapy Practical Experiences

Music therapy students must complete on-campus music therapy clinical experiences, plus attend off-campus clinical training at 30 partnered training practicum sites.

Why Choose a Music Degree?

Why choose a music degree? No matter where you live or what you do, music matters. It’s a powerful cultural force that can inspire emotion like no other art form. At OHIO, we believe those with the talent to create, teach or use music can improve the world and contribute to their culture in a variety of different ways.

You might consider choosing a bachelor’s degree in music from Ohio University if you want to enrich the world around you or bring joy to others. Music can also be an effective and enjoyable means to express yourself. Attending one of these degree programs empowers you to connect with your inner feelings and share them with others in what may be the most universally recognized language.

Student Support Resources for Music Majors

Ohio University’s music majors always find themselves supported from day one of their journeys. Specific and university-wide resources are always available, such as the Clinic for Science and Health in Artistic Performance (SHAPe Clinic) , which is accessible to music students and faculty members without charge.

Furthermore, you’ll find that the 32 full-time faculty members at the School of Music are experienced and dedicated to your success. They’re residential teachers — so they’re always available if you need assistance — and can direct you to further means to maximize your musical potential, like the specialized Music and Dance Library .

Don’t forget scholarships, including talent-based scholarships for new music majors. All in all, OHIO music students find ways to thrive within our undergraduate programs.

The OHIO Experience for Music Majors

The School of Music at Ohio University is among the top 20 percent of music education institutions in the U.S. When you attend one of these undergraduate programs, you’ll have an academically satisfying and spiritually invigorating experience thanks to the quality of our educational offerings and the support of our teachers.

Unlike other music degree programs, you’ll start learning applicable, music-related skills and putting them into practice from your first year instead of your junior year. By the time you graduate, you’ll feel confident and well-equipped to surprise and delight listeners, whether those happen to be music therapy patients, concert audience attendees or future medical students!

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