• Welcome
• Location
• History

• Headlines
• Download Application
• Download Bulletin
• Request Information
• Contact Us

Admissions Information Doctoral

DOCTORAL CURRICULUM

Note: The points listed for each degree represents the minimum points for the degree. Additional points may be required as the result of Placement and Candidacy Exams.

Doctor of Philosophy in Music Composition*

*There are two basic concentrations: traditional/ contemporary/ and music computers/ technology

Ph.D. and Ed.D. in Music Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Music Performance*

*Jazz Studies is in the context of the Performance/Composition Programs

Note Concerning All Doctoral Degree Programs: E85.1016 Contemporary Practices, E85.1067 Music History I, E85.1068 Music History II, E85.1071 Types & Forms, E85.2021 Music Reference & Research Materials, E85.2109 Applied Sight Reading & Dictation, and E85.2121 Harmonic Review & Trends cannot be used towards total required points.

Examples of courses available for doctoral requirements:

Foundations

Arts foundation courses are taken during the first 24 credits of doctoral study. Foundations must be completed before taking Candidacy.

E87.2135 - Literature and the Arts
E88.2051 - Aesthetic Foundations of the Arts

or

Select one course from Group A and one from Group B.

Group A

E20.2400 - Educational Sociology
or alternative: E20.2000 level course

E35.2400 - Educational Psychology
or alternative E35.2000 level course

Group B

E50.2400 -Philosophy of Education
or alternative E50.2000 level course

E55.2400 - History of Education
or alternative E55.2000 level course

Students should explore carefully with their advisor possible alternatives for Foundations Requirements. Other 2000 level courses may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Cognates

A cognate is defined as a course outside of the student's specialization or a course that combines music with another academic discipline.

Examples:
E85.2046 - Music Criticism
E85.2042 - Psychology of Music
E85.2045 - Aesthetics of Music

Specialized Research

E85.2130 - Research in Music and Music Education

E85.2130 - provides students with a comprehensive investigation of research in music, the various research paradigms and methods. In this course, doctoral students develop Topic Proposals.

Advised Research

Research courses by advisement should be related to the student's proposed topic or area of research interest. These courses should be carefully selected to ensure that the student has the appropriate skills and expertise to conduct research and analysis necessary to write the dissertation.

Courses such as the following might be used:

E85.2016 - Analysis of Nineteenth and Twentieth Century Music
E85.2018 - Canon & Fugue
E85.2024 - Seminar in Theory
E85.2042 - Psychology of Music
E85.2073 - Music Literature in the Classical Era
E85.2127 - The Aesthetics of Compositional Process in the Symphony
E85.2151 - Sonata in the 19th Century
E85.2046 - Music Criticism
E85.2047 - Advanced Computer Music: Synthesis & Composition
E85.2048 - Scoring for Film & Multi-Media (Fall & Spring semesters)
E85.2056 - Problems in Music Education
E85.2060 - Tests and Measurements in Music Education
E85.2066 - Music Theatre Process and Analysis
E35.2073 - Research Design and Methods in Behavioral Science I
E35.2074 - Research Design and Methods in Behavioral Science II -
E85.2080 - Learning Theories and Music Education
E17.2091 - Drama Criticism
E85.2123 - Analysis of Contemporary Music Practices
E85.2138 - Music Theory Seminar
E85.2139 - Basic Concepts in Music Education
E10.2135 - Historical Research
E10.2134 - Experimental & Quasi-Experimental Design and Analysis
E10.2136 - Philosophical Inquiry
E10.2137 - Aesthetic Inquiry
E10.2139 - Survey and Correlation Research
E10.2140 - Qualitative Field Research: Design and Analysis I
E10.2141 - Qualitative Field Research: Design and Analysis II (E10.2140 is a prerequisite)
E85.2045 - Aesthetics of Music
E85.2099 - Principals & Appreciative Aspects of Music Performance
G71.2163 - Music Historiography (Arts and Science) (4 points)

Doctoral Degree Requirements

Passing of the departmental Doctoral Candidacy Examination including the Graduate Theory Comprehensive Examination and Music History Comprehensive Examination and satisfactory completion of requirements deriving from the examination.

Meeting Departmental Standards in English Competency and Scholarly Writing

Completion of at least 18 points of coursework after achieving candidacy

Completion of at least 27 points minimum of 2000 level courses

Completion of a research document based on dissertation proposal

Maintain a minimum 3.0 (B) grade point average

Defense at the Final Doctoral Oral Examination

Please note the following protocols in doctoral course sequence:

1. E85.2021 Music Reference and Research Materials is a remedial library research course for students who did not have this at the master's level. It cannot be counted towards the points required for doctoral degrees.
2. E85.2130 Research in Music and Music Education reviews traditional and non-traditional research designs and the completion of a document for Topic Review.
3. Topic Review is a formal assessment by a commission of doctoral faculty of preliminary proposal presented by the doctoral student. The purpose of the topic review is to approve a topic and the significance or need for the study while examining the doctoral candidate's preliminary grasp of the literature. The document is limited to 10 pages including a statement of method and bibliography.
4. Departmental Proposal Review. Doctoral students are required to register for E85.3097 Dissertation Proposal Seminar (or the equivalent required by their programs) and to appoint a Dissertation Committee before submitting a formal proposal for Departmental Proposal Review. In addition, students must have participated in Topic Review and fulfilled all conditions of the graduate office for filing proposals.

Students are responsible for reading the bulletin and monitoring their progress toward completing requirements for the degree. Students should regularly check the website for the latest information concerning requirements, policies, dates, and deadlines: Student Page: Graduate and Doctoral Information

Placement Examinations

Placement exams are administered for all incoming graduate students. These placement examinations are mandatory and must be completed by the end of the first semester of study. They are available in late August and every effort should be made to complete them before classes start in September. Achievement in music theory and music history is assessed. English Competency is assessed through the admissions portfolio. Additional course requirements over and above the minimal degree requirements may be required as a result of this assessment of individual performance.

Absolutely no transfer credits from other institutions are allowed for doctoral students.

Doctoral Program Advisement

The material provided here is supplemental to the graduate bulletin of The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Students should consult the bulletin covering their date of admission regarding all aspects of admission, programs of study, and course offerings. Students may also refer to the school and departmental websites for the latest information.

Students work closely with their doctoral program advisor through all stages of meeting degree requirements. The Director of Doctoral Studies for the Department is Dr. John Gilbert. He coordinates various stages and committees involved in doctoral study. He works closely with the Program Directors.

Doctoral Program Directors and Advisors:

Composition: Dr. Robert Rowe
Instrumental Studies: Dr. Esther Lamneck
Computer Composition: Dr. Robert Rowe
Piano Studies: Dr. Marilyn Nonken
Music Education: Dr. John Gilbert
Vocal Studies: Prof. William Wesbrooks
Music Therapy: Prof. Barbara Hesser
Jazz Studies: Dr. David Schroeder

Doctoral programs incorporate advanced study through which students will provide significant contributions to their chosen field. The first stage is matriculation in which students develop their skills at advanced levels while preparing for doctoral candidacy. A matriculated student is not yet a “candidate” for the doctoral degree.

Taking the candidacy examination is a major step in doctoral study. Once the student has passed candidacy, the faculty recognizes the ability and advanced standing of the student. Students are then eligible to perform recitals, form dissertation committees, and submit topics and proposals for research. Students should begin to prepare for candidacy the moment they embark upon their studies. Candidacy is usually taken in the second year of full-time study, after completing 24 points, including Foundations Studies.

The advisement process takes into account a review of transcripts, audition, review of placement examination results, and an interview with the student. Because our programs provide for flexibility within the structure of a selected concentration, there is reciprocal responsibility on the part of the student and the Program advisor. Students should begin to focus their thinking on research objectives in their area of specialization as early in their doctoral studies as possible. Coursework, especially advised research courses, should be organized around the probable research topic for the dissertation.

This makes each degree much more personally structured than the more traditional "laundry list" of courses provided by many institutions. However, this means that the student must take responsibility for identifying in very concrete ways, personal and professional goals. In addition, students must learn how to examine the graduate bulletins of the university in order to explore the full range of opportunities available for course work.

It is the responsibility of the Program advisor to guide the student in this process, but the student must come to the advisement appointment fully prepared with suggestions and ideas concerning the courses they prefer and need to fulfill degree requirements within their area of concentration.

By working closely with the Program advisor, students can shape their graduate educational experience in highly personal and distinct ways.

After Completing Required Course Work (ABD)

Students have ten years after matriculation to complete all work for the doctoral degree, including research, writing the dissertation and defending the dissertation in the final oral examination. Students are expected to make steady progress toward completing the research and the dissertation after completing all coursework.

Maintaining Active Status:
Doctoral Candidates must register and participate in the Departmental Seminar E78.3400 for 1 point each semester after completing doctoral course work until graduation or in any semester in which they are registered for at least 3 points. Students must attend the seminars and participate by working with their dissertation committees. Dissertation Chairs are charged with the responsibility of assessing the progress of each student on a yearly basis. For students living in other cities, participation can take place through the Internet. Rather than presenting work at the seminars, students can post their progress on the Collegium Website. Such posting must be with the knowledge and approval of the Dissertation Chair. Students must be in touch with their dissertation committees at least once each semester and provide a narrative of their progress and/or actual chapters of the dissertation. Students who do not make satisfactory progress toward the completion of their research and dissertation may be dropped from the program.

E78.3400 Performing Arts Research Collegium, 1 pt.
10 hours + Hrs. Arr.

Course Description:
Doctoral dissertation advisement with dissertation committee coordinated with seminars in which students present their works in progress and discuss research problems. Current researchers in the performing Arts are invited to share research and writing. Doctoral students in the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions must register for this course each semester after completing coursework to maintain active status in the doctoral program. Students must have secured at least the Chair of their dissertation committee and have the full committee in place by the time their proposal is approved.

Format:
Seminar meets once a month, and additional sessions may be announced. The schedule of meetings and agendas are announced at the first week of each semester. In addition, students work with their dissertation committees at the stage of the research they are pursuing. Some will work on proposals, others will actually conduct their research, while still others will be writing the dissertation. Seminar topics will address these issues in a more formal manner utilizing doctoral students in panels to discuss research problems or inviting students to share and discuss findings and methodological issues. Students are expected to participate in each established seminar.

Sections are provided for Music, Dance Education, and Educational Theatre. All sections meet together. Additional seminars may be added to address special interests of disciplines.

Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions - 35 W. 4th Street, Suite 777 - New York, NY 10012 - (212) 998-5424