PhD Music (Musicology) at Arizona State University

Programme overview

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.

What you will study

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) 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 (15 credit hours) MHL 632 Applied Musicology (3) MHL 668 Introduction to Ethnomusicology (3) MHL 500, 600 (9) Electives and Research (47 credit hours) Teaching Experience (6 credit hours) MHL 684 Internship (3) MHL 691 Topic: Music History Pedagogy (3) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) MHL 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

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. Career examples: arts administrator, community arts advocate, music and sound art curator, musicologist, performing musician, public or community school teacher, university professor.

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 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: graduate admission application and application fee School of Music, Dance and Theatre application official transcripts three letters of recommendation proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

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

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