Degree Requirements

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

Master's

The MA in Music is a non-admitting degree from The Graduate School offered in the four specializations of the PhD program in Music (Composition & Music Technology, Music Education, Musicology, and Music Theory & Cognition). A student may request this degree only if they do not already hold a master's level degree in the field of specialization at the time of the request. Students may apply for the MA in Music after completing fifteen units toward the PhD coursework, and:

• in Music Education, the teaching demonstration and the qualifying exam
• in Music Theory & Cognition, one component of the qualifying exam or the dissertation prospectus

The MA in Music is not to be confused with the various MM (Master of Music) degrees offered by the Bienen School of Music. The MA in Music is only available to students already admitted to and pursuing the PhD in Music.

PhD

Specializations of study are offered in four areas: Composition & Music Technology, Music Education, Musicology, and Music Theory & Cognition. Requirements vary by area of specialization. All PhD students in Music must complete a minimum of 18 graduate units, or two years of coursework. For certain specializations, students entering with only a bachelor's degree may be required to complete 27 graduate units, or three years of coursework.

Students should consult the Bienen School of Music website regarding specific curricular and qualifying exam requirements for their area of specialization.

Cognate Area of Study: All students are required to take three 300 level or above courses outside the Bienen School of Music in an approved cognate area.

Colloquium: All students in residency are expected to attend and participate in the program colloquium or center in their field of specialization.

Total Course Units Required: 18-27

Other PhD Degree Requirements

• Examinations: All Qualifying Examinations include written and oral components. Specific requirements vary by specialization, and are enumerated under the requirements for each specialization on the Bienen School of Music website.
• Language Requirement: Musicology specialization: examination in one language
• PhD Dissertation: Based on original, independent research. The dissertation requirement for Composition and Music Technology includes a doctoral composition.
• Final Evaluations: Defense of dissertation