Prospective Students

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Program Overview

The graduate studies program in the Department distinguishes itself through rigorous scholarly training in the integrative study of music. Offering degrees in Composition, Ethnomusicology, and Music History and 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 programs 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. 

Key Information

  • Time to Degree: 7 years
  • Course per Quarter: 2-4 classes per quarter
  • Size of Cohort: 5-7 students on average
  • Degree Milestones: Completed Coursework, Comprehensive Exams, Language exams, Musicianship Exams, Minor Field Paper (composition only), Dissertation. More information can be found in the Department Curriculum.  
  • Teaching Requirement: Graduate Students are expected to serve as Teaching Assistants (TA) or Lecturers beginning Year 3. More information can be found under Pedagogical Training Plan via the Music Department Handbook.  

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