Degree Requirements

PhD in Music: Music Education

The PhD in Music Education is designed for individuals who have (1) a solid musical background, (2) successful teaching experience, (3) high levels of intellectual capacity, and (4) strong professional leadership abilities. Awarding of the degree is based not only on completion of objective requirements, but on the level of distinction attained by the candidate in the above four qualities.

Program of Study – 18 units

Music Education Core – 2 units

  • MUSIC ED 422 Curriculum Development in Music Education
  • MUSIC ED 458 Philosophical Basis of Music Education

Research in Music Education – 3 units

  • MUSIC ED 523 Paradigms and Processes of Research in Music Teaching and Learning
  • MUSIC ED 524 Qualitative Research in Music Education
  • MUSIC ED 525 Quantitative Research in Music Education

Music Education Electives – 3 units

Students must select three MUSIC ED courses such as those listed below. For a complete listing of approved courses for PhD Students, see the Graduate Catalog.

  • MUSIC ED 401 Music in Higher Education 
    MUSIC ED 426 World Music Pedagogy  
    MUSIC ED 430 Seminar in General Music Education 
    MUSIC ED 435 Selected Topics in Music Education 
    MUSIC ED 437 Psychology of Music Teaching & Learning

Cognate Area – 3 units

Students enroll in three courses in a non-music field relevant to their main interest.

Electives – 7 units

Focused study leading to a dissertation, musical studies, special needs and interests

MUSIC ED 520 Research Seminar

All PhD students must register continuously for MUSIC ED 520 Research Center Seminar (0 units). Students have the option to take 520 one time for one unit of credit.

Sample PhD Curriculum in Music Education

Year 1

 

Fall

Winter

Spring

Music Education Core

MUSIC_ED 523 Paradigms and Processes of Research in Music Education

MUSIC_ED 458 Philosophical Bases of Music Education

MUSIC_ED 522 Curriculum Development in Education

MUSIC_ED 524 Qualitative Research in Music Education

Music Education Electives

MUSIC_ED 435 Selected Topics in Music Education

MUSIC_ED 426 World Music Pedagogy

MUSIC_ED 437 Psychology of Music Teaching & Learning

Electives In and Outside of Music

Music Theory/Cog or Music History

 

Psych 450 Fundamentals of Statistics

Research Center

MUSIC_ED 520 Research Center Seminar

MUSIC_ED 520 Research Center Seminar

MUSIC_ED 520 Research Center Seminar

Year 2

 

Fall

Winter

Spring

Music Education Core

 

MUSIC_ED 524 Quantitative Research in Music Education

 

Music Education Electives

MUSIC_ED 435 Selected Topics Community Music

 

MUSIC_ED 401 Music in Higher Education

Cognate Area Communication Sciences
[OR]
Cognate Area Gender Studies

CSD 306 Psychoacoustics

CSD 410 Biological Foundations of Speech and Music

CSD 382 Autism Spectrum Disorders

GNDR ST 401 Graduate Colloquium 

GNDR ST 405 Advanced Feminist Theory

GNDR ST 372 Gender Sexuality & Performance

Electives In and Outside of Music

 

CONDUCT 340 Advanced Conducting Choral

HDSP 435 Qualitative Methods

Research Center

MUSIC_ED 520 Research Center Seminar

MUSIC_ED 520 Research Center Seminar

MUSIC_ED 520 Research Center Seminar

All courses for the PhD must appear on the authorized list of courses as published by The Graduate School.

Additional Requirements

Center for the Study of Education and the Musical Experience

During the years of residence, regular participation in the weekly seminar of the Center for the Study of Education and the Musical Experience is required. Continuing participation beyond the residence years is strongly encouraged.

Teaching Competency

As a part of their graduate school fellowship, all PhD students are expected to work as both research and teaching assistants. Students must have at least one written observation of their teaching by a music education faculty member along with any student course evaluations as appropriate.

Presentation Outside the Bienen School of Music

This requirement is designed to stimulate early involvement in the presentation of original research at a regional, national, or international level meeting. This requirement is meant to help the student develop professional experiences consistent with those of a professor of music education.

Waiver of Courses

Any course waived because the student has taken it previously, has had the same course elsewhere, or through proficiency determination, will normally be replaced by an elective course in that area of the program. The major advisor may, upon the student’s petition, exercise discretion in this matter, substituting a course outside the area of the waiver for a good cause.

Qualifying Examination and Candidacy

There are four significant steps to candidacy for the PhD in music with a concentration in music education: 

  1. successful completion of coursework,
  2. demonstration of successful teaching at the college level,
  3. peer-reviewed presentation at a professional meeting outside of NU, and
  4. successful completion of the qualifying examination.

At that point, the student is advanced to candidacy officially and can pursue their dissertation research. Candidacy should be achieved no later than 6 months following completion of course work.

At an appropriate time toward the end of coursework, each student will take a qualifying examination. The examination includes a written portion and an oral defense. Questions for the examination are written by the student with the approval of the examination committee. The answers are presented to the committee in written form and then defended in an oral examination.

Key Milestones

Spring of Year 2
Teaching Demonstration passed
Winter of Year 3
Qualifying Exam passed and Dissertation Proposal approved
Spring of Year 3/ Winter of Year 4
Data Collection and Dissertation Writing
Spring of Year 4
Dissertation Writing Continuing and Final Submission of Dissertation with Oral Defense
Spring of Year 4
June Graduation

Questions?

Contact Graduate Services: 
musicgradservices@northwestern.edu 
847-491-5740