Music Theory (PhD)
Please visit the Music Theory Graduate Program page for more information.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Gain advanced competency in analytical methodologies for tonal and post-tonal music.
- Understand the history of the discipline of music theory
- Develop academic research and writing skills to a level commensurate with scholarly publications in music theory and musicology
- Acquire deep knowledge of current research in the field of music theory
- Gain familiarity with one or more fields other than music theory, such as musicology or ethnomusicology.
- Gain skills in and knowledge of pedagogical methods for music theory at the collegiate level
- Develop a research specialty by acquiring professional expertise and producing a large-scale research project in that area
Doctor of Philosophy in Music Theory Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core requirements | ||
| MUS 615 | Current Trends in Music Theory | 3 |
| MUE 639 | Pedagogy and Practicum: [Topic] (music theory pedagogy) | 3 |
| One music history survey, selected from the following: | 3 | |
| 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 | ||
| One course in post-tonal theory, selected from the following: | 3 | |
| Post-Tonal Theory I | ||
| Post-Tonal Theory II | ||
| Advanced Post-Tonal Theory | ||
| One course in tonal analysis, selected from the following: | 3 | |
| Tonal Analysis: Linear Prolongational Analysis | ||
| Tonal Analysis: Form in Tonal Music | ||
| Tonal Analysis: Analysis of Popular Music | ||
| Analysis of Rhythm and Meter | ||
| Two history of theory courses | 6 | |
| History of Theory I | ||
| History of Theory II | ||
| History of Theory III | ||
| Seminars | 12 | |
| Three seminars chosen from the following: | ||
| Graduate Seminar in Musicology: [Topic] | ||
| Seminar in Ethnomusicology: [Topic] | ||
| Seminar: Music Theory: [Topic] | ||
| Menu-based coursework | 18-24 | |
| Six additional courses selected from the following: | ||
| Post-Tonal Theory I | ||
| Post-Tonal Theory II | ||
| Advanced Post-Tonal Theory | ||
| Tonal Analysis: Linear Prolongational Analysis | ||
| Tonal Analysis: Form in Tonal Music | ||
| Tonal Analysis: Analysis of Popular Music | ||
| Analysis of Rhythm and Meter | ||
| Counterpoint | ||
| Counterpoint | ||
| Counterpoint | ||
| History of Theory I | ||
| History of Theory II | ||
| History of Theory III | ||
| Seminar: Music Theory: [Topic] | ||
| Cultures of Musical Celebrity | ||
| Introduction to Ethnomusicology | ||
| Musical Instruments of the World | ||
| Popular Musics in the African Diaspora | ||
| Popular Music Studies | ||
| History of Electroacoustic Music | ||
| Music and Emotion | ||
| Graduate Seminar in Musicology: [Topic] | ||
| Seminar in Ethnomusicology: [Topic] | ||
| Introduction to Musicology | ||
| Notation of Medieval and Renaissance Music | ||
| 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 | ||
| Historical Performance Practices I | ||
| Historical Performance Practices II | ||
| Historical Performance Practices III | ||
| Pedagogy and Practicum: [Topic] (music history pedagogy) | ||
| Non-Music Courses 1 | 8 | |
| Research Development Courses (2 courses or 8 credits) 2 | 6-8 | |
| Comprehensive Exam | ||
| Dissertation | 18 | |
| Dissertation | ||
Final Lecture and Oral Defense of Dissertation | ||
| Total Credits | 83-91 | |
- 1
Chosen in consultation with faculty advisor. These courses are intended to assist with content creation of the final dissertation.
- 2
Chosen in consultation with faculty advisor. These courses are intended to prepare students for the research and writing/creation of the final dissertation.