PhD Music (Music Learning and Teaching) at Arizona State University

Programme overview

If you are a musician-teacher-scholar who seeks a career in musical and educational leadership, the Doctor of Philosophy program in music with a concentration in music learning and teaching is the world-class degree for you. You are immersed in an inclusive and multifaceted community of dynamic partnerships and research and teaching collaborations. You work with faculty members on creative projects that lead to independent and co-authored research publications, creative projects and professional presentations.

What you will study

90 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation Required Core (10 credit hours) 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) Concentration (30 credit hours) Electives (29 credit hours) Research (6 credit hours) Other Requirements (3 credit hours) MUE 784 Internship (3) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) MUE 799 Dissertation (12) Additional Curriculum Information 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.

Career pathways

Graduates have many possible career options and pathways. Career examples: arts administrator, community arts advocate, community arts educator, performing musician, public or community school teacher, teaching artist, university professor, worship music leader.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. Applicants are eligible to apply if they have earned a U.S. bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from an institution in another country that is officially recognized by that country. 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.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities