Music Education, Ph.D.

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.

Total credits for degree: 61

Music Research Core (37 credits)

• MED 510 - Measurement and Evaluation 3 credit(s)
• MED 520 - Music Education Research Colloquium 1 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 626 - Qualitative Research Methods 3 credit(s)
• MED 628 - Quantitative Research Methods 3 credit(s)
• TE 660 - Dissertation 2-9 credit(s) (9 credits required)
• TE 661 - Dissertation 2-9 credit(s) (9 credits required)

Other Studies (15 credits)

• Music electives within Hartt (not music education courses) 9 credit(s)
• Electives outside of Hartt (education, sociology, psychology, etc.) 6 credit(s)