PhD Music Composition at University of Oregon

Programme overview

The PhD in Music Composition emphasizes creative activity and the development of a personal aesthetic expressed in sound. Students also build broad knowledge of historical and contemporary compositional practice, music theory, history and criticism, and creative approaches to relating these to the compositional process.

Faculty: School of Music and Dance | Department: Music Composition | Duration: 89-98 credits | Intake: Fall; application deadline December 10, 2026 for Fall 2027 | Location: Eugene, OR, United States

What you will study

Coursework includes research methods, music history surveys, two sequences of Advanced Composition Studies (MUS 640-642), electronic composition, counterpoint, post-tonal theory, ethnomusicology and pedagogy. Milestones are notation and orchestration proficiency exams, a recital, comprehensive exams and a dissertation with performance of the dissertation work and a final defense.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

School of Music and Dance (doctoral programs): GRE scores are not required; applicants must hold the equivalent of a bachelor's degree. Application materials: resume, statement of purpose, scholarly writing sample, evidence of live performance of the applicant's works, list of compositions and list of performances of compositions, scores of original works for large and small ensembles, audio or video recordings of compositions, and three references; a composition faculty interview is optional. Final deadline December 10, 2026 for Fall 2027. International applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 7.0 or Duolingo English Test 130 for doctoral applicants, or a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an institution in Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand or the United Kingdom. Application fee: $70 domestic, $90 international.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Each graduate programme sets its own application deadlines and required materials.

Graduate application fee: $70 for domestic applicants and $90 for international applicants for degree-seeking programmes; each doctoral programme sets its own deadlines.

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