Ph.D. in Musicology

Doctor of Philosophy Degree Requirements: Musicology

The five-year doctoral program in Musicology at Duke includes a Master of Arts degree en route to the Ph.D. Admission to the Ph.D. program is not automatically granted upon the student’s completion of the requirements of the A.M. degree, but is restricted to those students who have demonstrated the ability to do independent and original doctoral work in the field of Musicology. After passing the Qualifying Examination, the student will be notified regarding acceptance in the doctoral program. Students who wish to receive an en route A.M. in Performance Practice from Duke must also satisfy all course requirements for the en route A.M. in Musicology. Upon successful completion of the en route A.M., a diploma can be requested.

Course Requirements

  • Seventeen courses (51 units) of graduate instruction. The required courses include:
    • Three courses in Musical Analysis: MUS 560, 561, and 562
    • Seven electives offered by the Musicology faculty and numbered 500 and above.
    • Six additional elective graduate courses taken in or outside the Department of Music, as approved by the DGS.
    • Major Field Independent Study
    • Optional: Performance Practice Track
After the first year, graduate electives can be taken outside the Department of Music as approved by the DGS, who will consider the student’s academic record within the Department and his/her reasons for enrolling in extra-departmental courses.

Registration requirement

The Graduate School requires six semesters of “full-time” registration regardless of number of courses taken or residence.

Teaching Requirement

Classroom teaching is an integral part of the doctoral program.  All graduate students will be required to complete eight semesters of teaching as a Teaching Assistant or Instructor of Record. In special circumstances, students may apply to the DGS for a waiver of one or more semesters of the required teaching.

Sample Program of Study in Musicology

The following represents a typical program for students entering the doctoral program in Musicology, which begins with en route A.M. requirements and then proceeds to Ph.D. requirements.

Semester Typical Course of Study
Year 1, Fall (Semester 1; 12 units)
  • Four graduate courses in music (including 560, 561, or 562 as offered)
  • Diagnostic Examination
  • First Foreign Language Examination
Year 1, Spring (Semester 2; 12 units)
  • Four graduate courses in music (including MUS 560, 561, or 562 as offered)
Year 2, Fall (Semester 3; 9 units)
  • Three graduate courses in music (including MUS 560, 561, or 562 as offered)
  • Teaching Assistantship
  • Second Foreign Language Examination
Year 2, Spring (Semester 4; 9 units)
  • Two graduate courses in music
  • Major Field Independent Study
  • Teaching Assistantship
  • Qualifying Exam Part 1: Major Field Exam
Year 3, Fall (Semester 5; 9 units)
  • Three graduate courses in music
  • Teaching Assistantship
  • Qualifying Exam Part 2: Comprehensive Exam
  • Discuss formation of Ph.D. Committee with your adviser for Dean's approval by February 1
Year 3, Spring (Semester 6)
  • Nominate Ph.D. committee for Dean and DGS approval. (Feb. 1 deadline)
  • Teaching Assistantship
  • Preliminary Examination (Dissertation Prospectus)

Following Years      
  • Dissertation research and writeup
  • Teaching Asssistantships (4 semesters)
  • Final Examination (dissertation defense)

       (Ph.D. Degree)

Examinations and Dissertation