The PhD in Musicology prepares students to become leaders in musicological scholarship, research, teaching, and public engagement. Through rigorous coursework, individualized mentorship, broad exposure to musicological methods and analytical approaches, and extensive teaching experience, students develop the expertise to pursue careers in higher education, research, museums, libraries and archives, publishing, digital humanities, arts administration, and other fields related to music history and culture.
The program attracts internationally recognized faculty and has an outstanding record of placing graduates in faculty positions, postdoctoral fellowships, and other leadership roles at colleges, universities, and cultural institutions throughout the United States and abroad. Students are active participants in the scholarly community, regularly presenting research at national and international conferences, publishing in leading peer-reviewed journals, and earning prestigious awards and fellowships, including support from the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS), the American Musicological Society (AMS 50), and the Fulbright Program.
Admission
The PhD in Musicology is designed for students with exceptional scholarly promise and a strong commitment to advanced research. While many applicants enter the program after completing a master's degree in Musicology or Music History, highly qualified students may be admitted directly after earning a bachelor's degree.
For information about admission requirements, application materials, deadlines, and the graduate admissions process, please visit the Graduate Applications page.
Program Requirements
The program requires 54 credit hours, including 36 credit hours of coursework and 18 credit hours of dissertation research. Students complete advanced seminars in musicology, research methods, and music analysis while exploring specialized topics through electives and independent study.
Additional degree requirements include:
- Foreign Language Proficiency: Demonstrated reading proficiency in a research language relevant to the student's area of study.
- Qualifying Examinations: Written and oral comprehensive examinations assessing scholarly knowledge and readiness for doctoral research.
- Dissertation Prospectus: Development and formal defense of an original dissertation proposal.
- Dissertation Research and Defense: Completion and public defense of an original scholarly dissertation under faculty supervision.
For detailed degree requirements, policies, and academic timelines, please consult the General Bulletin.