PHD Program of Study
Program of Study
The program of study constitutes the formal requirements that must be met by the student in order to complete the PhD degree. Programs of study are developed by the student in close consultation with his or her program adviser; individual programs may vary considerably, depending upon the needs of the student (as revealed in the placement tests in theory and music history), general educational background, and career goals.
The program normally will comprise at least 60 credits beyond the master’s degree (or 90 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree), and must include a list of those courses for which the student will receive graduate credit, and the specific foreign languages in which the student must show competence. Approval of the program must first be given by the student’s program director and/or the chair of the department, and then by the Graduate Research Committee (GRC). Programs are normally submitted to the GRC for approval by the third semester (or after 20 credit hours). The program of study must be approved by the GRC at least four months before the doctoral qualifying exam is taken. Examples of programs of study are available in the office of the associate dean of graduate studies, or on the graduate studies website.
Candidacy and Qualifying Examination
No student is considered a candidate for the doctor of philosophy degree until she or he has met the language requirements, passed the written and oral qualifying examinations, and satisfied the advisers and the GRC that she/he has a broad and competent command of the chosen major and minor fields and is fully prepared to undertake the writing of a dissertation.
