PhD Music at University of Pittsburgh

Programme overview

The Department of Music awards the MA and PhD in music across four subdisciplines: ethnomusicology, musicology, composition and theory, and jazz studies (a PhD concentration). All graduate students are admitted to the PhD, and a master's may be earned along the way.

Faculty: Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences | Department: Department of Music | Intake: Fall | Location: Pittsburgh, PA, United States

What you will study

Study is organised by subdiscipline: musicology, ethnomusicology, composition and theory (private composition lessons plus seminars in composition, analysis and orchestration, with new-music ensemble residencies), and jazz studies (research, composition and performance).

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Stand-alone master's applications are not accepted; all students are admitted to the PhD and fully funded with a fellowship or assistantship for five years. Application: online form with $75 fee, statement of purpose (about two pages), transcripts, CV, three letters of recommendation, and work samples by subdiscipline (composition/theory: three scores and recordings plus one analytical or theoretical paper; jazz studies: research paper plus musicianship evidence; ethnomusicology: one writing sample of 15-20 pages; musicology: two to three papers of 15-20 pages). GRE not required. Deadline January 5. International applicants: TOEFL new-scale 4.5 overall (4.5 speaking/reading/writing, 5.0 listening), IELTS 7.0 (6.5 per section) or Duolingo 120.

Domestic applicants: USD 27,412 a year (2026-27). Pennsylvania-resident graduate tuition, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

International applicants: USD 49,272 a year (2026-27). Out-of-state (non-PA resident) graduate tuition, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, full-time two terms (fall and spring). Tuition only; mandatory fees and other expenses excluded. Source

Intake: Fall

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