PhD in Musicology

The first three years of graduate study for graduates in musicology are devoted to completion of required coursework and passage of the qualifying and special area examinations. After the successful defense of the dissertation proposal (incorporated within the special area exam), the student concentrates on researching and writing the dissertation. The dissertation demonstrates the student’s ability to work systematically and independently to produce a substantial work of competent scholarship.

Below you will find a chart with the placement of the major milestones for your career as a doctoral student in musicology.  Please note that each of the major milestones and recommended/required coursework for the degree plan are discussed and defined more elaborately in the Department of Music Graduate Handbook.

Register for all courses for the maximum number of units allowed (unless your desired course load exceeds the limit). Plan on 15–18 units per quarter in Year 1 and exactly 10 units per quarter in Years 2–4. Total required units by the end of Year 4, Fall Quarter: 135. All courses in Music must be taken at the 100 level or higher and for a grade, unless the course has been designated Pass/Fail.

Milestones and Examinations

Year One
  • Autumn: Y1Q1
    Enroll in: 12-18 units, 15 recommended (Music 200A, 310; required & elective courses as available)
    Language I Study
    Qualifying Exam preparation
    Milestone: Diagnostic Exams (read about ALL exams in the Music Graduate Student Handbook)
    Qualifying Exam preparation and Language I Study (read more about Quals in the Musicology Qualifying Exam Guidelines)
  • Winter: Y1Q2 
    Enroll in: 12-18 units, 15 recommended (Music 200B, 310, 300F; required & elective courses as available)
    Language I Study
    Qualifying Exam preparation
  • Spring: Y1Q3
    Enroll in: 12-18 units, 15 recommended
    Milestone: Language I, PhD Reading Exam
    Qualifying Exam preparation (by May 31, establish Committee; send Fields of Study to committee & GSSO)
  • Summer: Y1Q4
    Enroll in 1 unit only, Independent Study course in Music (i.e. 299, 302, 341)
    Qualifying Exam preparation & Language II Study
    Milestone: Qualifying Examination (taken the week prior to the start of classes in Autumn Quarter of Year III)

 

Year Two
  • Autumn: Y2Q1
    Enroll in: 8-10 units, 10 recommended (required & elective courses as available)
    Qualifying Exam preparation (by September 15, draft repertoire lists & bibliographies to committee and GSSO)
    Language II Study
  • Winter: Y2Q2
    Enroll in: 8-10 units, 10 recommended (required and elective courses as available)
    Qualifying Exam preparation and Language II Study
  • Spring: Y2Q3
    Enroll in: 8-10 units, 10 recommended (required and elective courses as available)
    Qualifying Exam preparation (by July 15, finalize repertoire lists and bibliographies)
    Milestone: Language II, PhD Reading Exam (any quarter prior to TGR; soonest recommended)

  • Summer: Y2Q4
    Enroll in 1 unit only, Independent Study course in Music (i.e. 299, 302, 341)
    Qualifying Exam preparation (by July 15, email committee and GSSO with final bibliographies & repertoire lists; provide exam schedule to GSSO)
    Milestone: Qualifying Examination (taken in the week prior to the start of classes in Autumn Quarter of Year III)

 

Year Three
  • Autumn: Y3Q1
    Enroll in: 8-10 units, 10 recommended (Music 310 and/or required & elective courses as available)
    Milestone: Qualifying Examination (taken in the week prior to the start of classes)
    Associated Forms: Qualifying Exam Report (completed by faculty committee); Candidacy Form (after passing exam)
    Special Area Exam preparation & research
  • Winter: Y3Q2
    Enroll in: 8-10 units, 10 recommended (Music 310 and/or required & elective courses as available)
    Special Area Exam preparation & research
  • Spring: Y3Q3
    Enroll in: 8-10 units, 10 recommended (Optional: Music 330; required & elective courses as available)
    Special Area Exam preparation & research
    Milestone: Teaching Requirement met (upon completing the last six quarters of Teaching Assistantships)
  • Summer: Y3Q4
    Enroll in 1 unit only, Independent Study course in Music (i.e. 299, 302, 341)
    Special Area Exam preparation & research
Year Four
  • Autumn: Y4Q1
    Enroll in: 8-10 units, 10 recommended (Independent Study course(s) until you reach 135 graduate-level units & have completed all required coursework)
    Milestone: Special Area Exam (scheduled before the end of week nine)
    Milestone: Terminal Graduate Registration (TGR) (acquired after reaching 135 units, no later than the end of Spring quarter)
    Associated Form: TGR Petition (e-form; when 135 units reached; enroll in Music 802 ONLY after being granted TGR status)
    Milestone: Doctoral Dissertation Reading Committee Form (consult with advisor; file before the end of quarter)
  • Winter: Y4Q2
    Enroll in Music 802, TGR Dissertation with your advisor, and Music 330 when offered: 0-3 units
    Dissertation Research and Writing
  • Spring: Y4Q3
    Enroll in Music 802, TGR Dissertation with your advisor, and Music 330 when offered: 0-3 units
    Dissertation Research and Writing
  • Summer: Y4Q4
    Enroll in Music 802, TGR Dissertation with your advisor: 0-3 units
    Dissertation Research and Writing
Year Five