About PhD Program,
The graduate studies program in the Department distinguishes itself through rigorous scholarly training in the integrative study of music. Offering degrees in Composition, Ethnomusicology, and Music History and Theory, and also offering a joint PhD program in Theater and Performance Studies (TAPS), the Department embraces the interdisciplinary nature of scholarship at the University of Chicago.
Each of the three PhD programs requires successful completion of courses, language examinations, musicianship examinations, comprehensive examinations, a dissertation, and a final examination on (“defense of”) the dissertation. In addition, the program in Composition requires approval of the Minor Field Plan, defense of the Minor Field Paper, and approval of the Composition Prospectus; the program in Ethnomusicology requires a Special Field Examination; and the program in History & Theory requires a Defense of the Dissertation Proposal. For detailed information about requirements for all of the PhD programs, please visit the Graduate Curriculum webpage.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Applicants to Music are required to submit two writing samples, double-spaced, each approximately 20 pages in length. Click here for information about the desired content for a writing sample.
Applicants to Theater & Performance Studies should provide a statement of interest for the TAPS joint PhD program in addition to the Statement of Purpose for the home program.
Students starting a doctoral program in the Division of the Humanities with graduate level course work completed outside of the department may petition the department to have previous course work counted toward the program requirements.
PhD Funding Coverage,
PhD students are guaranteed to have funding support from the University of Chicago, external sources, or a combination of the two for the duration of their program. The funding package includes the following:
- Full tuition coverage
- Annual stipend
- Fully paid individual annual premiums for UChicago’s student health insurance (U-SHIP, the University Student Health Insurance Plan)
- Student Services Fee
- The goal of the University’s commitment to ensuring that students are supported is to allow students to prioritize their studies and prepare for rewarding careers. We expect students to remain in good academic standing and to be making progress toward completing degree requirements.
Additional fellowships and awards are available to support language study, conference travel, and research travel.
Application Requirement,
- A statement of purpose written in English (“Artist’s Statement” for MFA in Visual Arts);
- 3 letters of recommendation;
- transcriptsfor all previous degrees and coursework;
- TOEFL or IELTStest scores from within the preceding 2 years if needed to meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement; and
Most programs also require a sample of academic writing, and two require a current CV or Resume. The following table lists the requirements for Writing Samples and a CV. In all cases the writing samples should be double-spaced. Some programs also have special requirements, and you should follow the link to your program of interest to learn more.
Application Deadline,
Dec 15, 2024
Application Fee,
An application fee of $90. Fee
