DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
The Doctor of Philosophy degree is awarded for completion of scholarly research satisfactorily defended in a dissertation or for outstanding creative work in the field of composition. It is assumed that recipients of this degree are not only well-versed in the subject matter and techniques of a specific discipline, but also have demonstrated a breadth of interest and originality of outlook that indicate real promise of success in research or composition, as well as mastery of the teaching of their disciplines. All work leading to the degree is subject to the regulations and standards for scholarly work established by the Council on Graduate Studies of the University of Rochester. All PhD majors have a prescreening requirement.
Majors are offered in:
- Composition
- Music Education
- Musicology
- Theory
A combined MA/PhD program is offered in the theory and the musicology departments
Doctor of philosophy students majoring in composition or music education usually will have earned a master’s degree before being admitted to the PhD program. Doctor of philosophy students majoring in musicology or music theory may be admitted having earned only a bachelor’s degree.
Study by composition and music education majors may be undertaken within the division of graduate research studies (the PhD as described in this section) or within the division of graduate professional studies (for the DMA). The respective programs have differences in emphasis and course content. In terms of applying, the doctor of musical arts requires an audition on an applied instrument or voice; the doctor of philosophy does not require an audition for admission. The composition and music education majors contain a stronger emphasis on research and writing in the PhD degree program, and have an emphasis on performance in the DMA degree program.
