Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education
Ph.D. in Music Education
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) with an emphasis in music education or music therapy focuses primarily on research and scholarship. It is often sought by those aspiring to careers in research and/or collegiate-level teaching. Coursework for the doctoral degree is flexible and tailored specifically to the student’s background and anticipated academic professional career. Each student, however, is expected to achieve a broad understanding of human musical behavior and become skilled in research methodology.
Doctoral students complete three research projects in preparation for publication as a means of developing a scholarly area of expertise. The program then culminates with the completion of a substantial piece of original research in the form of a dissertation or three additional research articles. The doctoral program typically consists of a minimum of three years of study. Additional details on areas of emphasis, curricula, examinations, and regulations and procedures are described in the MEMT Ph.D. Handbook.
Admission Requirements
In addition to all University requirements for admission to graduate studies, each program has specific application requirements listed within the application system. All of the possible program requirements are listed below, but applicants should refer to their graduate application for program-specific requirements. You can save your application in-process and do not need to upload all requirements at the time that you start the application. We strongly recommend applicants submit their complete application by the posted priority deadline. Students applying to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Music Education program must provide and/or meet the following program-specific requirements.
- Master’s grade-point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Appropriate baccalaureate and master’s degrees to support the individual’s goals for doctoral study.
- Resume or CV
- Statement of Purpose
- A Scholarly Writing Sample
- Documentation of at least 3 years of successful full-time experience, or its equivalent, as a professional music educator if seeking an emphasis in music education, OR at least 5 years of successful full- time experience as a professional music therapist, or its equivalent, if seeking an emphasis in music therapy.
- 3 Letters of Recommendation (provide professional email addresses within application system)
- Participate in an interview with the appropriate faculty for the area of emphasis (ME or MT)
- Music Education or Music Therapy PhD Video. Upload a video or provide a link to a video as follows (you may upload one video with all requirements or multiple videos):
- Face the camera, state your name, and tell why you are interested in the PhD program at KU in either music education or music therapy (2 minutes max).
Music Education Video. Upload a video or provide a link to a video under portfolio in the Graduate Application System as follows:
- Face the camera, state your name, and tell why you are interested in graduate study in Music Therapy at KU (2 minutes max).
- Select 3 contrasting pieces (15 minutes max) and demonstrate one of the options below as a teacher, either in a rehearsal, another type of music class, or a private lesson:
- Play or sing music from different time periods or styles according to your best applied music skill.
- Conduct each piece or chosen portion thereof without interruption placing the camera so that we see your entire body and face. Conducting can be in a rehearsal or concert setting.
- Mix singing/playing with conducting, if desired.
- Note: Students admitted to the ME-Ph.D. program with a concentration in Vocal Pedagogy will complete a live audition with the Voice Faculty prior to the 1st term of enrollment.
Music Therapy Video. Upload a video or provide a link to a video under portfolio in the Graduate Application System as follows:
- Face the camera, state your name, and tell why you are interested in graduate study in Music Therapy at KU (2 minutes max).
- Play or sing music from 2 different time periods or styles demonstrating your principal applied instrument or voice (5 minutes max).
- Show yourself in action as a Music Therapist (15 minutes max): Choose the best available excerpts of your clinical skills while also demonstrating foundational and clinical musicianship skills. Please describe what therapeutic (music therapy) goals and objectives are being addressed and how.
- Note: All Non-English videos must provide an English narration that describes the educational (music education) or therapeutic (music therapy) goals and objectives being addressed in the videos and how those goals are being met.
Please contact musicgrad@ku.edu with questions.
*These are the admission requirements in place at the time this catalog content was published.
Ph.D. in Music Education Degree Requirements
Students in the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in Music Education will select one of the following concentrations: Music Education or Music Therapy.
Details about the program (including milestones, committee and exam information) can be found in the School of Music Graduate Handbook or on the webpage.
Preparatory Coursework
No additional preparatory coursework is required beyond the coursework completed for the bachelor's and master's degree in preparation for the PhD application.
Program of Study
A Program of Study must be submitted to Graduate Student Services at musicgrad@ku.edu by the end of the second semester of enrollment. It is the student’s responsibility to track degree progress based on the approved program of study and submit updates as needed. A final degree check should be requested the semester prior to your proposed graduation term by emailing musicgrad@ku.edu.
Completion Options
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Music Education allows for the following completion option:
- Dissertation including an exam with oral component.
Research Skills & Responsible Scholarship (RSRS)
The university requires that every doctoral student receive training in responsible scholarship pertinent to the field of research and obtain research skills pertinent to the doctoral level of research in their field(s). These requirements must be completed by the end of the semester that the student takes the oral comprehensive exam. For students in the Music Education PhD program, this requirement is satisfied by completion of MEMT 812, Research in Music Education & Music Therapy (or an equivalent course approved by your faculty advisor).
PhD Written Qualifying Exam
Music Education does not require a PhD qualifying exam as part of their graduate program.
Oral Comprehensive Exam
All doctoral students must meet the RSRS requirement before proceeding to the oral comprehensive exam. In consultation with the faculty advisor (committee chair) and doctoral program planning committee, students will complete three research projects before scheduling the comprehensive oral exam. Students completing the oral comprehensive exam must enroll in MEMT 998 the semester they plan to schedule the exam. The student must submit an Exam Authorization form for approval to hold the Oral Comprehensive Examination at least 2 weeks in advance of the scheduled exam and all members of the Doctoral Committee must be present. The oral comprehensive exam will meet the following stipulations:
- The examination will include a defense of all 3 preliminary research projects.
- The examination will cover all elements relevant to doctoral study in music education or music therapy.
- Once a doctoral student has passed the oral comprehensive examination, they are subject to the doctoral candidacy policy (post-comprehensive enrollment).
Dissertation Research Proposal
Doctoral candidates submit a formal dissertation proposal to all committee members. The candidate may not proceed with gathering data until the formal proposal has gained full Doctoral Committee approval. Approval can be obtained individually or a formal proposal presentation event can be requested.
Dissertation & Final Oral Examination
Upon completion of the dissertation document, the doctoral candidate must pass the final oral examination, which includes a defense of the dissertation. The student must submit an Exam Authorization form for approval to hold the Final Oral Examination at least 2 weeks in advance of the scheduled exam. All members of the Doctoral Committee must be present at the oral examination.
Ph.D. in Music Education Program of Study
The following courses must be completed by the end of the semester of the oral comprehensive exam and must be completed with a grade of B or higher. Additional requirements for the degree, including enrollment in dissertation research hours for doctoral candidacy, are described below the course grid.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Research Skills | ||
| MEMT 812 | Research in Music Education and Music Therapy (or equivalent) | 3 |
| Core Courses in MEMT | ||
| MEMT 996 | Practicum in College Teaching | 3 |
| MEMT 998 | Doctoral Comprehensive Examination | 1 |
| Additional Courses (minimum of 19 hours) 700-level or above | 19 | |
| Academic Minor (minimum of 12 hours) in any course, 600-level or above. | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 38 | |
Ph.D. in Music Therapy Program of Study
The following courses must be completed by the end of the semester of the oral comprehensive exam and must be completed with a grade of B or higher. Additional requirements for the degree, including enrollment in dissertation research hours for doctoral candidacy, are described below the course grid.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Research Skills | ||
| MEMT 812 | Research in Music Education and Music Therapy (or equivalent course) | 3 |
| Core Courses in MEMT | ||
| MEMT 996 | Practicum in College Teaching | 3 |
| MEMT 998 | Doctoral Comprehensive Examination | 1 |
| Additional Courses (minimum of 19 hours) 700-level or above | 19 | |
| Academic Minor (minimum of 12 hours) in any course, 600-level or above. | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 38 | |
Other Doctoral Degree Requirements
Seminar Enrollment
Starting in the first semester of enrollment in the graduate program, all doctoral students must enroll in four semesters of MEMT 920, Doctoral Seminar in Music Education & Music Therapy (minimum of 4 hours).
Dissertation & Research Enrollment
Upon passing the comprehensive examination, the student becomes a candidate for the Ph.D. degree and is approved to proceed with their dissertation research and project. Starting the semester following successful completion of the oral comprehensive exam, students must enroll in accordance with the university's Doctoral Candidacy Policy. This enrollment includes enrollment in MEMT 999, Doctoral Dissertation, each fall and spring semester (minimum of 18 hours or until all requirements for the degree are completed).
Dissertation Document
There are 2 dissertation options: 1) Traditional or 2) Alternative. Students may choose either a traditional academic dissertation format or an alternative 3-piece dissertation format. Both options require a dissertation committee and a dissertation as a final product.
Option 1 – Traditional Dissertation
The doctoral dissertation reports the results of one (1) substantial piece of original research. It develops and tests theory in appropriate areas and makes a substantial contribution to knowledge.
Option 2 – Alternative Dissertation
The doctoral dissertation reports the results of three (3) substantive pieces of original research. These studies need to be substantive enough to constitute three (3) first tier publications. Each of the three (3) studies must stand on its own merit and be completely ready for submission. It is suggested that they also be accompanied by a comprehensive (“Traditional Dissertation”) review of literature on a topic related to the three investigations unless one of the three articles is a review-type study, which again must be suitable for publication.
Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education
This is an example of a draft three-year degree plan with full-time enrollment. Students should work with their faculty advisor to create a personalized program of study with a concentration in Music Education or Music Therapy.
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MEMT 812 (or equivalent course) | 3 | Graduate Course | 4 |
| Graduate Course | 3 | Graduate Course | 3 |
| Academic Minor Course | 3 | Academic Minor Course | 3 |
| MEMT 920 | 1 | MEMT 920 | 1 |
| 10 | 11 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Graduate Course | 3 | Graduate Course | 3 |
| MEMT 996 | 3 | Graduate Course | 3 |
| Academic Minor Course | 3 | Academic Minor Course | 3 |
| MEMT 920 | 1 | MEMT 920 | 1 |
| 10 | 10 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MEMT 998 | 1 | MEMT 999 | 9 |
| MEMT 999 | 9 | ||
| 10 | 9 | ||
| Total Hours 60 | |||
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Develop professional capacities to work independently and make effective artistic and intellectual judgments and professional decisions in the area of specialization.
- Demonstrate professional competence in the area of specialization before peers and faculty.
- Produce a final project or some equivalent reviewed by more than one faculty member.