Advisory Examinations
Entering Doctor of Philosophy students must take two School of Music advisory examinations prior to registering for music history and music theory classes. These examinations are given on the Friday and Saturday preceding the opening of classes in the fall semester.
The Doctor of Philosophy program in music requires a minimum of 72 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must maintain a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.00 to earn the degree. Ph.D. concentration areas include composition, musicology, music education, and music theory. Information about specific curricular requirements for each area is available on the School of Music website.
Ph.D. students in composition, musicology, and music theory must complete the courses required for the M.A. (see the M.A. in music in the Catalog). They also must complete the following coursework. In addition, proficiency in one or more world languages is required.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One or more additional music history course(s) listed in the M.A. requirements | ||
| One or more additional music theory course(s) listed in the M.A. requirements | ||
| And one of these: | ||
| MUS:7950 | Ph.D. Thesis | 1-4 |
| MUS:7960 | Composition Ph.D. Thesis | 1-4 |
Applicants must audition and/or submit supporting materials in their area of concentration in order to be considered for admission. Information about Graduate College admission for each area is available on the School of Music website.
For detailed information about Graduate College admission and policies, see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
Qualified graduate students may be nominated for teaching and research assistantships. Inquiries should be directed to the head faculty member in the applicant's area of interest.
The Pomerantz Career Center offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs.
Sample Plans of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Music, Ph.D.
- Composition Concentration
- Musicology Concentration
- Music Education Concentration
- Music Theory Concentration
Composition Concentration
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 72 s.h. must be graduate level coursework; up to 30 s.h. of graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a, b, c | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| MUS:5300 | Introduction to Graduate Study in Music d | 2 |
| Hours | 2 | |
| Fall | ||
| MUS:3230 | Composition Seminar | 1 |
| MUS:5200 | Review of Undergraduate Theory e | 3 |
| MUS:5220 | Advanced Composition | 2 |
| Music History course f | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUS:3230 | Composition Seminar | 1 |
| MUS:5220 | Advanced Composition | 2 |
| MUS:5820 | Electronic Music Production | 3 |
| Music History course f | 3 | |
| Music Theory course f, g | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUS:3230 | Composition Seminar | 1 |
| MUS:5220 | Advanced Composition | 2 |
| MUS:5800 | Interactive Music | 3 |
| Music History course f | 3 | |
| Music Theory course f, g | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| Qualification Exam h | ||
| MUS:3230 | Composition Seminar | 1 |
| MUS:4200 | Counterpoint Before 1600 | 3 |
| MUS:4220 | Orchestration | 3 |
| MUS:5220 | Advanced Composition | 2 |
| Outside Area course i, j | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Comprehensive Exam k | ||
| Composition Area course l | 3 | |
| Elective course or Music Theory course (if needed) f, g, j | 3 | |
| Elective course j | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Composition Area elective l | 3 | |
| Elective course j | 3 | |
| Elective course j | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUS:7960 | Composition Ph.D. Thesis | 2 |
| Elective course j | 3 | |
| Hours | 5 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUS:7960 | Composition Ph.D. Thesis | 2 |
| Final Exam m | ||
| Hours | 2 | |
| Total Hours | 72 | |
- a
- An Area Keyboard Examination is required. Students may demonstrate basic keyboard ability in one of two ways: 1) take and pass MUS:4210 with a grade of B or better; or 2) take and pass the final examination for MUS:4210 by arrangement with the organ faculty.
- b
- Students must demonstrate ability to read professional literature in either French or German (other languages must be approved by the composition area). The language requirement must be satisfied by the end of the student's final semester of coursework.
- c
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- d
- May take during second year instead.
- e
- Take a music theory elective if exempted from MUS:5200 based on results from advisory examination in music theory.
- f
- See the department website for list of approved courses.
- g
- Must have either passed the advisor examination in music theory or completed MUS:5200 before taking additional music theory elective courses.
- h
- The PhD Qualification Exam is to be taken not later than the end of the second semester of residency; consists of both written and oral components. Refer to the department website for more information.
- i
- Take a graduate level course (numbered 4000 or above) outside of the School of Music.
- j
- Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate graduate level coursework.
- k
- Typically taken during the final semester of coursework.
- l
- Choose from MUS:3190, MUS:3280, MUS:3285, MUS:4201, MUS:6251.
- m
- Thesis defense.
Musicology Concentration
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 72 s.h. must be graduate level coursework; up to 30 s.h. of graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a, b | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| MUS:5300 | Introduction to Graduate Study in Music c | 2 |
| Hours | 2 | |
| Fall | ||
| MUS:4390 | Musicology Colloquium | 1 |
| MUS:5200 | Review of Undergraduate Theory d | 3 |
| MUS:6310 | Topics in Musicology | 3 |
| MUS:6312 | Historical Approaches to Music | 3 |
| MUS:6315 | Foundations of Ethnomusicology | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUS:4390 | Musicology Colloquium | 1 |
| MUS:6210 or MUS:6211 |
History of Ideas of Music e or Theoretical Approaches to Music |
3 |
| MUS:6305 | Teaching Music History and Culture | 3 |
| Musicology or Methodology course f | 3 | |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUS:4390 | Musicology Colloquium | 1 |
| MUS:6314 | Topics in Ethnomusicology | 3 |
| Music Theory course e, f | 3 | |
| Musicology or Methodology course f | 3 | |
| Music elective course g | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| Music Theory course e, f | 3 | |
| Musicology or Methodology course f | 3 | |
| Non-Music elective course g, h | 3 | |
| Non-Music elective course g, h | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Comprehensive Exam i | ||
| Elective course g | 3 | |
| Elective course g | 3 | |
| Elective course g | 2 | |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective course g | 3 | |
| Elective course g | 3 | |
| Elective course g | 2 | |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUS:7950 | Ph.D. Thesis | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUS:7950 | Ph.D. Thesis | 3 |
| Final Exam j | ||
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 72 | |
- a
- Proficiency in the ability to read musicological literature in two languages is required: French, German, or another language, chosen in consultation with the adviser and approved by the musicology faculty. The requirement for one of the two languages must be satisfied by the end of the second year of residency, and the requirement for the second language must be satisfied before taking the comprehensive examination. Refer to the department website for more information.
- b
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- c
- May take during second year instead.
- d
- Take a music theory elective if exempted from MUS:5200 based on results from advisory examination in music theory.
- e
- Must have either passed the advisor examination in music theory or completed MUS:5200 before taking additional music theory elective courses.
- f
- See the department website for list of approved courses.
- g
- Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate graduate level coursework.
- h
- Take two graduate courses (6 s.h.) outside of the School of Music related to specialization area.
- i
- Typically taken during the final semester of coursework.
- j
- Dissertation defense.
Music Education Concentration
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 72 s.h. must be graduate level coursework; up to 30 s.h. of graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDTL:4630 | Psychology of Music | 2 |
| EDTL:4640 | Introduction to Music Research | 3 |
| MUS:6690 or EDTL:5610 |
Special Studies in Music Therapy or Foundations of Music Education Curricula |
3 |
| EDTL:7040 |
Advanced Topics in Teaching and Learning or Seminar: Current Topics in Music Education or Special Studies in Music Therapy |
3 |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDTL:7600 |
Seminar: Current Topics in Music Education or Advanced Topics in Teaching and Learning or Special Studies in Music Therapy |
3 |
| Statistics and Research Methods course b | 3 | |
| Statistics and Research Methods course b | 3 | |
| Elective course c | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDTL:7040 |
Advanced Topics in Teaching and Learning or Seminar: Current Topics in Music Education or Special Studies in Music Therapy |
3 |
| Statistics and Research Methods course b | 3 | |
| Statistics and Research Methods course b | 3 | |
| Elective course c | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUS:6690 |
Special Studies in Music Therapy or Seminar: Current Topics in Music Education or Advanced Topics in Teaching and Learning |
3 |
| Statistics and Research Methods course b | 3 | |
| Elective course c | 3 | |
| Elective course c | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Comprehensive Exam d | ||
| MUS:7950 | Ph.D. Thesis | 3 |
| Elective course c | 3 | |
| Elective course c | 3 | |
| Elective course c | 2 | |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUS:7950 | Ph.D. Thesis | 3 |
| Elective course c | 3 | |
| Elective course c | 2 | |
| Hours | 8 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUS:7950 | Ph.D. Thesis | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUS:7950 | Ph.D. Thesis | 3 |
| Final Exam e | ||
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 72 | |
- a
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- b
- See the department website for list of approved courses.
- c
- Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate graduate level coursework.
- d
- Typically taken during the final semester of coursework.
- e
- Thesis defense.
Music Theory Concentration
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 72 s.h. must be graduate level coursework; up to 30 s.h. of graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a, b, c | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| MUS:5300 | Introduction to Graduate Study in Music d | 2 |
| Hours | 2 | |
| Fall | ||
| MUS:4201 or MUS:4200 |
Counterpoint After 1600 or Counterpoint Before 1600 |
3 |
| MUS:4290 | Music Theory Colloquium | 1 |
| Music History course e | 3 | |
| Hours | 7 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUS:4290 | Music Theory Colloquium | 1 |
| MUS:6211 | Theoretical Approaches to Music | 3 |
| Music History course e | 3 | |
| Outside Area course f, g | 3 | |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Qualifying Exam h | ||
| MUS:4290 | Music Theory Colloquium | 1 |
| MUS:5235 |
Tonal Analysis or Analysis of Popular Music or Non-Tonal Analysis |
3 |
| MUS:6215 | Music Theory Pedagogy | 3 |
| Music History course e | 3 | |
| Outside Area course f, g | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUS:4290 | Music Theory Colloquium | 1 |
| MUS:5237 |
Analysis of Popular Music or Tonal Analysis or Non-Tonal Analysis |
3 |
| MUS:6251 |
Advanced Non-Tonal Theory and Analysis or Advanced Theory and Analysis of Popular Music or Advanced Tonal Theory and Analysis |
3 |
| Music History course e | 3 | |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Comprehensive Exam i | ||
| MUS:4290 | Music Theory Colloquium | 1 |
| MUS:6251 |
Advanced Non-Tonal Theory and Analysis or Advanced Tonal Theory and Analysis or Advanced Theory and Analysis of Popular Music |
3 |
| Theory Area course j | 3 | |
| Theory Area course j | 3 | |
| Elective course f | 2 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUS:4290 | Music Theory Colloquium | 1 |
| Theory Area course j | 3 | |
| Elective course f | 3 | |
| Elective course f | 3 | |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUS:4290 | Music Theory Colloquium | 1 |
| MUS:7950 | Ph.D. Thesis | 3 |
| Hours | 4 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUS:4290 | Music Theory Colloquium | 1 |
| MUS:7950 | Ph.D. Thesis | 3 |
| Final Exam k | ||
| Hours | 4 | |
| Total Hours | 72 | |
- a
- Students must demonstrate the ability to read pertinent scholarly literature in French or German and one other language. This requirement must be fulfilled before the student takes the comprehensive examination, preferably during the first year of residency. Refer to the department website for more information.
- b
- Students must demonstrate competence in six areas of practical musicianship: sight singing; dictation of a chorale; keyboard sight reading; realization of thoroughbass OR harmonization of a melody from chord symbols; keyboard sight reading of a string quartet score OR improvising on an instrument; reduction at the keyboard of an orchestral score. Musicianship examinations are offered once a semester and may be taken as many times as necessary to pass.
- c
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- d
- May take during second year instead.
- e
- See the department website for list of approved courses.
- f
- Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate graduate level coursework.
- g
- Take two graduate courses (6 s.h.) outside of the School of Music.
- h
- Taken at the end of the second semester or the beginning of the third; must pass a written examination evaluating foundational theoretical knowledge of analytical skills with regard to a reading and score study list determined by the theory faculty. See the General Catalog and department website for more information.
- i
- Taken at the end of the fourth semester or the beginning of the fifth. See the General Catalog and department website for more information.
- j
- Choose from MUS:4200, MUS:4201, MUS:4730, MUS:5235, MUS:5236, MUS:5237, MUS:5240, MUS:6250, MUS:6251, MUS:6252.
- k
- Dissertation defense.