Florida State University

What you'll study

The PhD in Music combines advanced coursework, specialised seminars, independent research and a substantial dissertation or creative equivalent. Depending on your concentration, typical areas of study include historical musicology, ethnomusicology, music theory and analysis, composition and creative practice, and performance studies.

• Core research seminars: advanced topics in historiography, research methods, and theoretical approaches relevant to your field.
• Specialist coursework: seminars and reading courses in your chosen area (for example, Renaissance and Baroque music, nineteenth-century studies, contemporary music analysis, or composition techniques).
• Language and source skills: training in languages and archival methods needed for primary-source research (for historical and ethnographic work).
• Creative/recital components: for composition and performance concentrations, sustained creative work, recitals or composition portfolios evaluated as part of the doctoral progression.
• Teaching practicum: supervised opportunities to develop and refine undergraduate teaching, including lecture courses, applied lessons, or ensemble direction.
• Comprehensive examinations and prospectus: assessment of breadth and depth of knowledge followed by the development of a dissertation prospectus leading to original research or creative output.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a relevant master’s degree (or equivalent) in music or a closely related discipline and demonstrate the potential to undertake sustained, independent research or creative work. Specific requirements typically include:

• Academic record: a strong graduate-level GPA and transcripts showing preparation in music and related skills.
• Research proposal or statement of purpose: a clear statement outlining research interests, proposed lines of inquiry or creative aims, and how these align with faculty expertise.
• Work sample: for musicology/theory applicants a writing sample or published work; for composition applicants a portfolio of scores and recordings; for performance applicants a recorded audition or recital documentation.
• References: several academic or professional letters of recommendation addressing scholarly promise and preparedness for doctoral study.
• Additional documentation: curriculum vitae and any required supplementary forms. Proof of language proficiency may be requested where relevant to the research plan.

Admission is competitive and emphasises fit with potential supervisors and the department’s research strengths. Specific application procedures and materials should be confirmed with the College of Music admissions guidance.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Music pursue careers across academia, performance and the wider cultural sector. Common career paths include:

• University and conservatoire teaching: tenure‑track or adjunct positions in musicology, theory, composition, music history, and performance studios.
• Research and scholarship: publishing monographs and articles, presenting at conferences, and securing research fellowships.
• Performance and composition careers: professional performing, composing, commissioning projects and residencies informed by advanced research.
• Arts administration and curation: roles in programming, museum or archive work, and festival direction where specialist musical knowledge is required.
• Music publishing, editing and librarianship: editorial work, critical editions, and specialised library/archive careers.

Why study at Florida State University

Florida State University’s College of Music offers a vibrant environment for doctoral study, combining accomplished faculty who are active researchers and practitioners with extensive performance opportunities. The college supports interdisciplinary collaboration across musicology, theory, composition and performance and provides access to rehearsal, recording and archival resources that support advanced scholarship and creative work.

Doctoral students benefit from supervised teaching experience, graduate assistantships where available, and a wide range of ensembles and recital platforms. Located in Tallahassee, the university sits within a regional cultural scene that offers concert programming, community partnerships and research opportunities in libraries and archives across Florida.

Prospective students should review faculty profiles and research interests to identify potential supervisors and contact the College of Music for details on application guidance and available graduate funding.