Music PhD

Program Code: G-MUS-PHD
Degree Designation: Doctor of Philosophy
Department: Music Department
Website: music.duke.edu/graduate

Program Summary

The Department of Music offers graduate programs leading to the PhD in composition, the PhD in ethnomusicology, and the PhD in musicology. It also offers the MA in performance practice as an alternative part of the PhD in musicology.

Applicants for admission to all degree programs will normally have a broad liberal arts background as well as demonstrable musical competence. Those applying to the composition program should submit samples of their compositions with their applications. Applicants for musicology and ethnomusicology should include samples of their writing on musical topics. Upon acceptance to the university, by nomination of the graduate faculty in music, musicology students may also be admitted to the Program in Medieval and Renaissance Studies. For students pursuing the musicology PhD with an emphasis in performance practice, the department encourages applications from advanced performing musicians who have demonstrated the ability to conduct research in historically informed performance. Applicants in this track should submit a recording of their work in addition to a sample of their writing.

A more detailed description of each degree program is available upon request from the director of graduate studies. For additional information visit the website.

Academic Requirements

For the PhD in composition, seventeen courses (51 course credits) are required; up to four courses (12 course credits) may be accepted for transfer from another institution. Courses may be taken in other departments with permission of the director of graduate studies. Students are expected to pass a qualifying examination in the fourth semester and a preliminary examination, after completing coursework, usually in the sixth semester. Students submit a portfolio of compositions, an annotated course syllabus, and proposals for the dissertation composition and article before taking the preliminary examination. Students in composition must also demonstrate reading knowledge of one foreign language. The dissertation requirements consist of a large-scale composition and an article of publishable quality.

For the PhD in musicology, seventeen courses (51 course credits) are required; up to four courses (12 course credits) may be accepted for transfer from another institution. Courses may be taken in other departments with permission of the director of graduate studies. Students are expected to pass a two-part qualifying examination (major field examination and comprehensive examination) in the fourth and fifth semesters and a preliminary examination after completing coursework, usually in the sixth semester. Additionally, students must demonstrate reading knowledge of two foreign languages. Within the framework of the musicology degree, students may pursue projects in music theory or performance practice.

For the MA in performance practice, eleven courses (33 course credits) are required. Students are expected to pass a qualifying examination (major field examination and comprehensive exam) in the fourth and fifth semesters and to give a master's recital, usually toward the end of the first year. They must also demonstrate reading knowledge of one foreign language. Also, students must demonstrate reading knowledge of one foreign language. The MA in performance practice is not a terminal degree; it is granted only to candidates who matriculated into the PhD in musicology.

For the PhD in ethnomusicology, fifteen courses (45 course credits) are required, including three core courses. Of the twelve additional courses, at least four should be taken in the Duke Music Department and three in another single discipline. Students are expected to prepare a portfolio of their work for yearly assessments: a mini-portfolio at the end of year 1, the field specialization workshop at the end of year 2, and the portfolio and prospectus workshop (preliminary examination) after course requirements at the end of year 3. Students must also demonstrate reading knowledge of one foreign language.