Music Composition (PhD)
Please visit the Music Composition Graduate Program page for more information.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- The doctoral degree program in composition stresses creative activity emphasizing the development of a personal aesthetic expressible in sound.
- Competencies also include a broad knowledge of historical and contemporary compositional practices, music theory, history and criticism, and creative approaches to relationships of these to the compositional process.
Doctor of Philosophy in Music Composition Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 611 | Research Methods in Music | 3 |
| Choose two from the following: | 6 | |
| Music in the Middle Ages | ||
| Music in the Renaissance | ||
| Music in the Baroque Era | ||
| Music in the Classical Period | ||
| Music in the Romantic Era | ||
| Music in the 20th Century | ||
| MUE 639 | Pedagogy and Practicum: [Topic] | 3 |
| MUS 538 | Composers Forum (6 terms) | 6 |
| Two sequences of the following: (6 consecutive terms) | ||
| MUS 640–642 | Advanced Composition Studies | 18 |
| Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Interactive Media Performance | ||
| History of Electroacoustic Music | ||
| Audio Production Techniques I | ||
| Advanced Electronic Composition | ||
| MUS 533 | Counterpoint | 4 |
| MUS 534 | Counterpoint | 4 |
| MUS 516 | Post-Tonal Theory I | 3 |
| Choose one graduate seminar or course in Music Theory | 3-4 | |
| Choose one graduate seminar or course in Musicology/Ethnomusicology | 3-4 | |
| Choose one course from the following: | 2-4 | |
| Introduction to Ethnomusicology | ||
| Musical Instruments of the World | ||
| Balinese Gamelan (two terms) | ||
| MUS 605 | Reading and Conference: [Topic] 3 | 1 |
| 2 Non-Music Courses 1 | 6-8 | |
| Two research development courses 2 | 6-8 | |
| Notation Proficiency Exam | ||
| Orchestration Proficiency Exam | ||
| Recital | ||
| Comprehensive Exam | ||
| MUS 603 | Dissertation | 18 |
| Performance of dissertation and final defense | ||
| Total Credits | 89-98 | |
- 1
Chosen in consultation with faculty advisor. These courses are intended to assist with content creation of the final writing/creation of dissertation or lecture document.
- 2
Chosen in consultation with faculty advisor. These courses are intended to prepare students for the research and writing/creation of dissertation or lecture document.
- 3
Must be taken concurrently with MUS 642 Advanced Composition no later than 3rd quarter of the first year. The composition dissertation proposal wil be related to the student's comprehensive exam.