CUNY(The City University of New York)

What you'll study

The PhD curriculum balances sustained coursework, language and research training, and original dissertation research. Core elements typically include advanced seminars in music history and analysis, ethnographic and fieldwork methods, music theory and cognition, composition or performance practice (where applicable), and interdisciplinary seminars that link music to theatre, sound studies, cultural studies and media.

• Coursework: intensive seminars in chosen subfields (e.g. early music, 19th–21st-century music, popular music studies, non-Western musics), research methods, and advanced theory/analysis.
• Language and skills: reading knowledge of one or more languages relevant to the dissertation, archival research skills, and training in digital humanities tools for music scholarship (e.g. music encoding, audio analysis, GIS for ethnography).
• Qualifying assessments: written and/or oral comprehensive examinations or equivalent qualifying assessments that demonstrate breadth and depth in the student’s fields of study.
• Research and dissertation: an original, book-length dissertation that makes a substantial contribution to the field, with stages including prospectus development, proposal defence, and dissertation writing under the supervision of one or more faculty advisors.
• Performance and composition pathways: for candidates in performance or composition, the programme permits integrated recitals, portfolios of original work, and research-based creative projects alongside traditional scholarship.
• Teaching and professional development: opportunities to gain teaching experience as a graduate instructor or fellow, plus professionalisation workshops on grant writing, publishing, public engagement and career preparation.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a relevant master’s degree (MA, MM, or equivalent) in music, musicology, ethnomusicology, composition, or a closely related field. Exceptional candidates with a strong bachelor’s degree and demonstrable research or creative experience may also be considered.

• Academic transcripts demonstrating strong performance in previous study.
• A curriculum vitae outlining academic, creative and professional experience.
• Statement of purpose describing research interests, proposed areas of study, and potential faculty mentors.
• Writing sample that demonstrates scholarly ability (for composers/performers, a combination of written research statement and a portfolio or recordings may be requested).
• Letters of recommendation (typically three) from academic or professional referees who can speak to research potential.
• Evidence of language competence where applicable for the proposed research; the programme may require reading knowledge in one or more languages relevant to the dissertation topic.
• Standardised tests such as the GRE are not routinely required by many music programmes; applicants should check the programme’s admissions guidance for current policy.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Music are prepared for a range of careers across academia, the arts and cultural sectors. Common pathways include:

• University and college faculty positions in musicology, ethnomusicology, theory, composition or performance studies.
• Professional roles in conservatoires, music schools and community music organisations.
• Curatorial, archival and research positions in libraries, museums and performing-arts centres, including special collections and sound archives.
• Arts administration, programming and policy work for cultural institutions and non-profit organisations.
• Public-facing scholarship and media roles: writing, radio/podcasting, exhibition curation and public education.
• Composer-performer careers that combine creative practice with research-led projects, commissions and residencies.

Why study at CUNY(The City University of New York)

CUNY’s Graduate Center offers a PhD environment embedded in one of the world’s most vibrant music ecosystems. Students benefit from a faculty with diverse scholarly strengths across historical musicology, ethnomusicology, theory, composition and performance studies, and from interdisciplinary collaboration across CUNY’s departments and doctoral programs.

• Location and resources: based in New York City, students have unparalleled access to major archives and libraries (including the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts), performance venues, and a wide range of cultural organisations for fieldwork and professional networking.
• Collaborative opportunities: the programme encourages partnerships with other CUNY colleges, conservatories, museums and independent researchers, supporting collaborative projects and public scholarship.
• Professional support: structured teaching opportunities, mentoring, and workshops prepare students for academic careers and alternative pathways in the arts sector.
• Diversity and interdisciplinarity: CUNY’s commitment to serving a diverse urban population shapes research perspectives and fosters work that engages contemporary social, cultural and political contexts.

Prospective applicants should consult the programme’s admissions pages for detailed guidance on application materials and contact potential faculty mentors to discuss research fit prior to applying.