Music (Musicology), PhD
Examine and expand the traditional boundaries of musicology, as you research, create and teach. Push the field's edges outward, question long-held assumptions and help reimagine what musicological inquiry can become.
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Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
The National Association of Schools of Music accredits Arizona State U...
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Music (Musicology), PhD degree description
The Doctor of Philosophy program in music with a concentration in musicology focuses on the scholarly study of sound and music in historical contexts, musical traditions as sociocultural artifacts and behaviors, and performance. These areas are approached through the investigation of genres, styles, forms, performance and listening practices, instruments, spaces, philosophies, musical infrastructures and geographic locations. Faculty members include Sabine Feisst, Dave Fossum, Kay Norton, Catherine Saucier, Ted Solis and Christi Jay Wells. They are leading scholars specializing in Western and non-Western music, particularly traditions in the Americas and music of the Middle East, Central Asia, Latin America and Indonesia.
You can study a variety of topics, including medieval music cultures, the long nineteenth century, jazz, music in popular cultures, musical modernism and experimentalism, intellectual property law, cultural policy, improvisation, sound studies, ecomusicology, dance and embodiment, and music's role in well-being.
Coursework includes historiography, applied musicology, methodologies and pedagogy. Transdisciplinary studies are encouraged with scholars and artists in the School of Music, Dance and Theatre (e.g., a studio professor, music theorist or composer), the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts (e.g., a design or dance faculty member), and faculty in schools and institutes across the university (e.g., specialists in languages, regions or cultures).
A plan of study is designed by you, with the faculty to support an individualized research trajectory. You conduct research in the doctoral program in musicology that aims to examine and interrogate the discipline of musicology and to expand the traditional boundaries of music scholarship by challenging methodological and disciplinary boundaries. The program concludes with a dissertation.
Why specialize in musicology at ASU?
Study within the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts and build a broad, versatile foundation for work across the music profession. You can perform in faculty, guest artist and student works throughout the year, and connect with a network of alumni, internships, residencies and partnerships spanning the arts.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
90 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, two foreign language exams, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (10 credit hours) Concentration (15 credit hours) Electives and Research (47 credit hours) Teaching Experience (6 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information Concentration coursework includes MHL courses, which should be selected in consultation with your program advisor. No more than six credit hours outside of the School of Music, Dance and Theatre may apply to this requirement. Teaching experience requirements consist of MHL 691 Music History Pedagogy, in which students examine multiple facets and modalities of teaching music history, and MHL 684 Internship, in which students teach an appropriate undergraduate musicology course as instructor of record with guidance of the musicology faculty. Students should see the academic unit for a complete list of approved electives and research courses. When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this degree program. Students entering the program without an earned Master of Arts degree complete the requirements for the MA in music with a concentration in ethnomusicology or musicology. Additional information on degree requirements for this degree is available on the curriculum check sheet located on the Music, Dance and Theatre graduate degree page.
MSI 601 Contemporary Topics in Music Research (2)
MSI 602 Current Issues in Music Research (2)
MSI 755 Historical Research in Music (3)
MTC 520 Analytical Techniques (3)
MHL 632 Applied Musicology (3)
MHL 668 Introduction to Ethnomusicology (3)
MHL 500, 600 (9)
MHL 684 Internship (3)
MHL 691 Topic: Music History Pedagogy (3)
MHL 799 Dissertation (12)
Completion of diagnostic exams in musicology and music theory is required of all new graduate music students prior to enrollment in the ASU School of Music, Dance and Theatre.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Write research papers applying the conventions of scholarly discourse in music.
- Implement a major independent research project that makes a unique contribution to the discipline of musicology.
- Synthesize knowledge of music history pedagogy in the teaching of an undergraduate course.
Write research papers applying the conventions of scholarly discourse in music.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a U.S. bachelor's degree in music or a graduate degree from an accredited college or university of recognized standing in music history, musicology, ethnomusicology or music theory. Applicants must have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 credit hours or 90 quarter hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information The School of Music, Dance and Theatre application must include a curriculum vitae, a two-page personal statement expressing the goal in pursuing this degree and two writing samples. It's preferable that each of the writing samples be a paper from a course (either an upper-level undergraduate course or a graduate course) or an article or document written by the applicant. Students should see the program website for application deadlines.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. The School of Music, Dance and Theatre does not offer conditional admission under any circumstances. To meet English proficiency requirements, students should have a minimum TOEFL iBT® score of 4, or 80 (taken at a testing center) if taken before January 21, 2026; an IELTS overall band score of at least 6.5; or a Pearson Test of English score of at least 60.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this musicology concentration prepares you for
Musicians with expertise in performing, composing, teaching, researching and arts advocacy are in high demand across many sectors and industries, including performing arts organizations, educational institutions, entertainment companies, health and wellness industries, and community arts organizations. Skills such as creativity, collaboration, innovation, entrepreneurship and the focused discipline needed for success as musicians are all highly valued by a wide range of companies and professions. The School of Music, Dance and Theatre graduate programs inspire and empower students to become creative leaders who transform society through music.
Career examples include:
- arts administrator
- community arts advocate
- music and sound art curator
- musicologist
- performing musician
- public or community school teacher
- university professor
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Music, Dance and Theatre
|
MUSIC E167
mdtadmissions@asu.edu
480-965-5069
Admission deadlines
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
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ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
