Applying for PhD Degree

Applicants should begin by completing and submitting the online application available on The Graduate School web site. Applications for the PhD in Music Education, Musicology, and Music Theory and Cognition are due December 1.

In addition to the online application, candidates should complete:

1. CV or musical résumé detailing your academic and professional history, to be submitted within your application.
2. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Official GRE scores are required for applicants to all music PhD programs. Official scores must be taken no more than five years before the intended quarter of entry and must come directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Personal copies are NOT considered official, nor are attested or notarized copies. Please instruct ETS to send scores electronically to the Northwestern University Graduate School code # 1565.
3. Certifying English Proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS). Much of your success in graduate study will rely on your ability to understand, read, write, and speak English. If your native language is not English, you must CERTIFY your proficiency in the English language in one of the following three ways:
   
   
   1. Providing official scores electronically for either the TOEFL or IELTS exam. The test must be taken no more than two years before the intended quarter of entry. For the TOEFL, you must score 577 or higher on the paper-based test, 233 or higher on the computer-based test, 90 or higher on the internet based test. For the IELTS, you must receive a score of 7.0 or higher.
      
      Personal copies are NOT considered official, nor are attested or notarized copies. However, it is to your advantage to have the score report submitted electronically. This helps the Bienen School of Music verify your scores quickly, should there be any delay in receiving the official report.
      
      The Graduate School's school code for TOEFL is 1565. Those taking the paper-based exam should select Department Code 01. When prompted, IBT test takers should request that their scores be sent to The Graduate School and then select the program name that most closely matches their program of interest. If no match is available, the test taker may choose option 99.
       
   2. Providing official transcripts verifying an undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year institution or equivalent, where the language of instruction is English.
      
      
   3. Providing official transcripts verifying a graduate degree from an accredited institution where the language of instruction is English.
      
      
4. Official transcripts, from each post-secondary institution attended, which records all courses taken, all grades received, and all degrees earned. These must be scanned into your application – The Graduate School will not accept mailed copies of your transcript(s) during the admission process. Official mailed copies will be requested should you gain acceptance to the PhD program.
   
   
5. Letters of recommendation must be submitted online via the application – mailed/emailed copies will not be accepted.

Specific Online Materials

Submit all items found below online.

Music Theory and Cognition

A research paper which demonstrates your ability to write and conduct research at the doctoral level. The topic of this paper is the choice of the applicant.

Paper requirements: fifteen typed pages; one inch margins; double-spaced, twelve point font, Times New Roman preferred.

Music Education

1. An essay discussing the following:
   Of the issues, problems, and trends currently discussed in the field of music education:
   • Which do you think are the most important issues for the future? 
   • How do you envision becoming involved in leadership activities which address these issues?
   • How will your study here enhance your goals?
2. Examples of previous writing projects
3. Two additional letters of recommendation that speak to your teaching ability
4. A video recording of your teaching is desirable.

Musicology

A research paper on a topic related to music history that demonstrates your ability to discuss music both in historical and analytical contexts. Paper should also include appropriate scholarly references.

Paper requirements: fifteen typed pages; one inch margins; double-spaced, twelve point font, Times New Roman preferred.

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