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Curriculum

PhD, Music Performance and Composition: Performers

How to Apply

Working closely with internationally recognized faculty in NYU’s unparalleled performing, practicing, and recording facilities, you will explore a personalized program of study tailored to your specific interests and goals. You will engage in collaborative projects with artists and professionals in related fields, broadening your perspectives and relating your own music-making activities to diverse cultural contexts and intellectual traditions. Immersing yourself in the new music life of New York City, you’ll find inspiration and activate valuable professional networks.

Core Course Sequence

The PhD in Musical Performance for composers consists of a minimum of 49 credits credits of graduate-level coursework, reflecting a personalized course of study directed by your artistic and personal goals. You’ll benefit from private instruction and coaching in chamber music with internationally renowned artists. You’ll also select from coursework in neighboring fields like psychology, performance studies, historical musicology, ethnomusicology, media, arts education and technology, and the social sciences. You’ll broaden your perspective and understand your own music-making activities in relation to a variety of cultural contexts and intellectual traditions, gaining expertise not only as a top-caliber performer, but as an interdisciplinary scholar, educator, and ambassador for the arts.

Culminating Experience 

Guided by faculty mentors, you will present two degree recitals, and also write and defend a scholarly dissertation. 

Program Requirements

This degree program requires 49–55 credits for graduation covering foundations and departmental seminars, specialized research and research methods courses (as appropriate for your dissertation research), cognates (courses outside your specialization), applied study, recitals, guided electives, and dissertation proposal seminars.

Additional credits may be required as the result of diagnostic and candidacy exams. Diagnostic exams are administered for all incoming graduate students. These diagnostic examinations assess achievement in music theory and music history and are mandatory. Additional course requirements over and above the minimal degree requirements may be required as a result of this assessment of individual performance. No transfer credits from other institutions are allowed for doctoral students.

Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
Foundations (two 3-credit courses for a total of 6 credits)6
Specialized Research3
Cognates (two 3-credit courses for a total of 6 credits)6
Departmental Content Seminar 3
Dissertation Proposal Seminar3
Advised Research Courses (five 3-credit courses for a total of 15 credits)15
Recital 13
Applied Study (Private lessons) (taken for 6-12 credits)6-12
Guided Electives 24
Total Credits49-55

Note: Remedial Coursework may be recommended as a result of testing and additional electives may be recommended based on the results of the candidacy examination. Undergraduate level courses may not be credited toward degree requirements.

1

Performers take this for 4 total credits; Composers take this for 3 total credits. 

2

Performers take this for 3 credits; Composers take this for 4 credits.

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
Foundations Course 3
Guided Elective 3
Cognate 3
Research Course 3
10 hours/week on research  
 Credits12
2nd Semester/Term
Foundations Course 3
Departmental Seminar 3
Guided Elective 1
Research Course 3
Applied Study 2
10 hours/week on research  
 Credits12
3rd Semester/Term
Cognate Course 3
Research Course 3
Applied Study 3
Recital Preparation 3
10 hours/week on research and preparing for candidacy  
 Credits12
4th Semester/Term
Research Course 3
Specialized Research Methodology 3
Applied Study 6
10-15 hours/week on research and preparing for recital  
 Credits12
5th Semester/Term
Dissertation Proposal Seminar 3
Applied Study 1
Recital - Seminar in Music 3
20 hours/week on research and preparing for recital + Full Time Equivalency  
 Credits7
6th Semester/Term
MAINT-GE 4747 Maintenance of Matriculation 0
20 hours/week on research + Full Time Equivalency  
 Credits0
 Total Credits55

Following completion of the required coursework for the PhD, students are expected to maintain active status at New York University by enrolling in a research/writing course or a Maintain Matriculation (MAINT-GE 4747) course.  All non-course requirements must be fulfilled prior to degree conferral, although the specific timing of completion may vary from student-to-student.