Music Education, Ph.D.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Doctor of Philosophy with a Major in Music Education

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) with a major in music education attracts outstanding students who have an interest in research and wish to be able to conduct research in the areas of music teaching, the psychology of music learning, and early childhood music. The purpose of the degree is to instruct students in methods of scientific inquiry so that they can engage in research to make new discoveries of human music behaviors. Students will learn investigative and experimental techniques (quantitative and qualitative) and their application to the improvement of music education practice. To pursue this type of research, familiarity with psychology, research design and analysis, and measurement in conjunction with computer science is necessary. Upon completion of the Ph.D. in music education, students will be able to pursue successfully a research agenda that will contribute to the growth of the music education knowledge base.

The equivalent of at least three years of full-time study beyond an earned master’s degree is typically required, not including the dissertation. All work must be completed within eight years of the beginning of doctoral study. After a student has completed 18–27 credit hours of course work, an oral preliminary examination is administered. A written comprehensive examination must be passed within five years of the beginning of doctoral study, at which time a student is able to create a research proposal and begin a dissertation. Prior to the completion of the comprehensive exam, after a student has completed 12–15 credit hours of course work, a written and oral preliminary examination is administered. A student can fulfill the demands of a Ph.D. program only with concentrated study and research with a minimum of outside distractions. Therefore, a minimum of two consecutive semesters of study during the regular academic year must be completed as a full-time student.

Core Courses

Music Education Core

MED 510 - Measurement and Evaluation 3 credit(s)
MED 511 - Psychology of Music 3 credit(s)
MED 520 - Music Education Research Colloquium 1 credit(s)
MED 614 - Music Leadership and Administration 3 credit(s)
MED 616 - History and Philosophy of Music Education 3 credit(s)
MED 620 - Research and Writing 3 credit(s)
MED 621 - Research Design in Music Education 3 credit(s)
MED 625 - Learning Theories in Music 3 credit(s)
MED 626 - Qualitative Research Methods 3 credit(s)
MED 627 - Statistical Procedures 3 credit(s)
MED 628 - Quantitative Research Methods 3 credit(s)
MED 640 - Music Education Internship 1 credit(s) AND
MED 641 - Music Education Internship 1 credit(s)
- TE - Dissertation 6 credit(s)

Pedegogy Course

One of the following:

MED 611 - Seminar in Elementary General Education 3 credit(s)
MED 612 - Seminar in Choral Music Education 3 credit(s)
MED 613 - Seminar in Instrumental Music Education 3 credit(s)

Music History and Theory Electives (12 credits)

HLM 615 - Pro-seminar in Music History 3 credit(s) ¹
HLM - Graduate music history elective 3 credit(s)
TH - Graduate music theory electives 6 credit(s) ²

Note(s):

¹HLM 611 , HLM 612 , HLM 613 - Graduate Music History Review: Romantic and Early 20th-Century Music (must be taken first if required per placement exam).

²TH 611 , TH 612 , TH 613 , TH 614 - Graduate Ear Training Review Requirement (must be taken first if required per placement exam).

Additional other studies courses may be required if deficiencies are discovered as a result of a diagnostic placement exam.

HLM 611 , HLM 612 , and HLM 613 , and TH 611 , TH 612 , TH 613 , and TH 614 do not fulfill requirements in music history or music theory.