Department of Music

The graduate studies program in the Department distinguishes itself through rigorous scholarly training in the integrative study of music. Offering programs of study in Composition, Ethnomusicology, and Music History & Theory, and also offering a joint PhD program in Theater and Performance Studies (TAPS), the Department embraces the interdisciplinary nature of scholarship at the University of Chicago.

Each of the three PhD areas of concentration requires successful completion of courses, language examinations, musicianship examinations, comprehensive examinations, a dissertation, and a final examination on (“defense of”) the dissertation. In addition, the program in Composition requires approval of the Minor Field Plan, defense of the Minor Field Paper, and approval of the Composition Prospectus; the program in Ethnomusicology requires a Special Field Examination; and the program in History & Theory requires a Defense of the Dissertation Proposal. For detailed information about requirements for all of the PhD programs, please visit the Graduate Curriculum webpage.

Further Information

The Music Department webpages provide detailed information on language programs, faculty specialties, degree requirements, teaching opportunities, sources of funding, admission requirements, and many other resources.