PHD Application Requirements
and Curricula by Major

Composition
Music Education
Music Theory
Musicology

Doctor of Philosophy with a Major in Composition

Applying to the major in composition:

• Applicants to the PhD program with a major in composition must submit a minimum of three and a maximum of four scores of original compositions with the application, by the application deadline. Oversized scores must be reduced to 11"x17" or smaller. Recordings of composed works are encouraged, but are not required. Due to the large number of scores and recordings submitted, materials will not be returned; do not submit originals .
• A personal statement must be submitted with the application.
• A music history or music theory research paper demonstrating advanced analytic, scholarly, and writing abilities must be submitted with the application. It may be a term paper, seminar report, or an MA thesis, if applicable.
• GRE General Test scores are required, and must be submitted by the application deadline.
• Following faculty review of application materials, a limited number of applicants will be invited to Rochester to interview.
• The PhD program does not require an audition. Composition applicants should read the section on the DMA program as well as the PhD program before deciding to which program they will apply.

Curriculum:

• One graduate course in counterpoint
• CMP 401and 402 – Advanced Composition I and II
• CMP 421 and 422 – Advanced Computer Music Techniques
• CMP 590
• CMP 501 and 502 – Advanced Composition III and IV
• Minor fields – Two minor fields must be selected, one of which must be music history. A minor in music history comprises four courses from the music history and/or musicology listings, all of which are on the 400 level or above, and two of which are on the doctoral (500) level. The second minor field will be either music education or music theory. (A minor requirement is met by completing 10 to 15 credits in the minor field.)
• Foreign language requirement – Majors have a general requirement of one foreign language, to be selected in consultation with the adviser. In addition, composition students will demonstrate proficiency in a second foreign language, or will submit to the composition faculty a documented research project and its application in the area of computer language or electronic music, both having been developed under the guidance of the director of Eastman?s electronic and computer music studio.
• Dissertation – The dissertation for composition majors must be in the form of an extended work for orchestra, chorus, or large chamber ensemble, written under the guidance of an assigned adviser. The requirement also includes a research paper dealing with some historical, theoretical, or analytical aspect of music. The subject for this paper must be approved by the composition department faculty and the GRC.

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Doctor of Philosophy with a Major in Music Education

Applying to the major in music education:

• Applicants to the PhD degree program with a major in music education must submit the Supplemental Application for Music Education (see Admissions website) with the application, by the application deadline.
• Together with the supplemental application, applicants must submit a teaching portfolio for review by the music education faculty. The specific requirements for inclusion in this portfolio are detailed in the supplemental application, and include a resume, personal statement, tapes, evaluations, etc.
• A music history or music theory research paper demonstrating advanced analytic, scholarly, and writing abilities must be submitted with the application. It may be a term paper, seminar report, or an MA thesis, if applicable.
• A personal statement must be submitted with the application.
• GRE General Test scores are required, and must be submitted by the application deadline.
• Following faculty review of submitted materials, a limited number of applicants will be invited to audition and interview in Rochester on a designated audition date.
• The PhD program does not require an audition. Music education applicants should read the section on the DMA program as well as the PhD program before deciding to which program they will apply.

Curriculum:

• MUE 402 – Measurement and Evaluation
• MUE 413 – Introduction to Research
• MUE 501 – History and Philosophy of Music Education
• MUE 502 – Curriculum Seminar
• MUE 590 – Research for PhD Students
• Research courses – Two courses in research methods are required through the University of Rochester?s Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development, one in quantitative methods and one in qualitative methods.
• Music history – Two courses in music history at the 590 level are required. If placement tests indicate that 400-level study is required, the 400-level course(s) may be counted toward the degree as open electives only; they will not satisfy the music history requirement.
• Theory – Two courses in theory are required, at the 401 level and above.
• The remaining degree requirements include elective study in the field of specialization. Each PhD student has an individualized program of study designed in consultation with the PhD advisor.
• Foreign language requirement – There is no foreign language requirement for this major. However, if the student?s research topic includes source material in a foreign language, competency in that language will be expected.

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Doctor of Philosophy with a Major in Theory

The information here applies equally to the application process for the MA/PhD degree program with a major in music theory.

Prerequisites:

• Theory/composition – Six semesters of theory and composition study, including at least three upper-division courses (preferably in form and analysis, counterpoint, composition, and orchestration).
• Language – Reading knowledge of one foreign language (preferably German) is recommended.

Applying to the major in theory:

• The Supplemental Application for Graduate Degree Programs in Ethnomusicology, Musicology, Music Theory, and Music Theory Pedagogy must be completed and submitted with the application, by the application deadline.
• A personal statement must be submitted with the application.
• Two music history or theory research papers demonstrating advanced analytic, scholarly, and writing abilities must be submitted with the application. These may be term papers, seminar reports, or an MA thesis, if applicable.
• GRE General Test scores are required, and must be submitted by the application deadline.
• Following faculty review of application materials, a limited number of applicants will be invited to Rochester to interview on a special audition date. Invited applicants must come to Rochester, but should not make travel arrangements until after they have been invited.

Curriculum:

• First and second years:
  • Introductory core and practical courses are spread over the first two years of study. The first year will include three core courses and practical skills; the second year will include three core courses plus seminars or proseminars.
  • TH 423 – Multimedia Programming for Pedagogy; or TH 441 – Computer Applications in Music Research
  • TH 511 – Introduction to Theory and Analysis of Tonal Music
  • TH 513 – Introduction to the Theory and Analysis of 20th-Century Music
  • TH 521 – Pedagogy of Theory
  • TH 523 – What Is Music Theory?
  • TH 524 – Introduction to the History of Music Theory
  • Department Proseminars – Courses on standard topics designed to foster independent research
  • Seminars on special topics
  • Practical skills courses – Counterpoint, advanced keyboard skills, studio or composition lessons, etc.
    
• Third year:
  • Continued coursework focusing on research seminars, including courses outside the theory department (possibly taken at the University of Rochester River Campus).
  • Preparation of dissertation proposal
    
• Fourth year:
• PhD qualifying exam
• Submission of dissertation proposal
• Foreign language requirement – A reading knowledge of two foreign languages usually is required. German is required; the second language should be chosen with the student's planned area of research in mind. In rare cases, a student's dissertation committee may petition the theory department to require either fewer or more languages. Proficiency in one language must be demonstrated before the third semester of enrollment, and in the other before the fifth semester of enrollment.

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Doctor of Philosophy with a Major in Musicology

The information here applies to the application process for the MA/PhD degree program with a major in musicology, regardless of whether the applicant has previously earned an MA degree.

Recommended previous education:

• History of Music – A minimum of 10 semester hours, including four hours in upper-division courses
• Theory – 18 semester hours, including six hours in upper-division courses
• Languages – 12 semester hours in French or German

Applying to the major in musicology:

• The Supplemental Application for Graduate Degree Programs in Ethnomusicology, Musicology, Music Theory, and Music Theory Pedagogy (see Admissions website) must be completed and submitted with the application by the application deadline.
• A personal statement must be submitted with the application.
• Two music history or music theory research papers demonstrating advanced analytic, scholarly, and writing abilities must be submitted with the application. These may be term papers, seminar reports, or an MA thesis, if applicable.
• GRE General Test scores are required, and must be submitted by the application deadline.
• Following faculty review of application materials, a limited number of applicants will be invited to Rochester to interview on a special audition date.

Curriculum:

• MUY 501 – Introduction to Musicology
• MUY 502 – Introduction to Ethnomusicology
• MUY 591-592 – Eight seminars, freely chosen, on a wide variety of topics
• A minimum of one graduate course in music theory
• Additional seminars and/or electives, possibly including studio lessons, composition, conducting, and non-music courses at the University of Rochester's main campus.
• Foreign language requirement – Musicology majors are urged to develop, before the first enrollment, reading proficiency in two foreign languages, normally German and either French or Italian. Proficiency in one language must be demonstrated before the third semester of enrollment, and in the other before the fifth semester of enrollment.

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