Music, PhD

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Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to the PhD program must present a master’s degree in music (in the area of emphasis or equivalent), an excellent academic record (two copies of all college transcripts), three confidential letters of recommendation (not more than two years old) on forms provided by the music department, a sample of academic writing proficiency such as recent term papers as specified in certain areas, and, for non-native speakers of English, a TOEFL score of 560 (paper), 83 (iBT) or better, and, for teaching assistants, 600 (paper), 100 (iBT) with scores of 25 in listening and speaking. Application forms are available at the music department and its website, or Graduate Division and its website. The completed forms should be submitted with two copies of all transcripts by January 15 for entrance in the following fall semester and by August 1 for entrance in the following spring semester. (Those who decide to enroll must submit official copies of all post secondary transcripts.)

In the following concentrations, students must meet additional admission requirements:

Composition—A master’s degree in composition or the equivalent in terms of course work and original composition; a score of one large-scale work; scores of two shorter works; and a recording of at least one of the above.
Ethnomusicology—A master’s degree in ethnomusicology or the equivalent in terms of course work and fieldwork. A major research paper in ethnomusicology as evidence of extensive background in musical traditions other than Western art music.
Musicology—A master’s degree in musicology or a minimum of four graduate seminars in musicology, and a 7,500- word research paper in English on a subject in historical musicology
Music Education—A master’s degree in music education is preferred, but an equivalent background is acceptable. A minimum of two years full-time music teaching in a public or private school; three confidential letters of recommendation on the applicant’s teaching ability, at least two of which must be written by the applicant’s job supervisors (principal or other supervisor); and one of the following: (a) a 20-30 minute videotape or DVD demonstrating current teaching expertise, or (b) an in-person teaching demonstration; and a lesson or rehearsal plan relevant to the teaching demonstration.

An applicant must declare a concentration in one of the four areas previously listed. Admission, if granted, is for that concentration only. If a student later wishes to change to another concentration, he or she must petition the graduate faculty in music for approval. Each student will have a principal advisor who must be a member of the music department’s graduate faculty. An application will be denied if it is determined that no principal advisor in the applicant’s area of interest is available on the music department’s graduate faculty.

Degree Requirements

This degree requires an emphasis in ethnomusicology (11 credits of specified course work) for students who are not concentrating in ethnomusicology. This emphasis ensures that all PhD graduates will be able to teach introductory courses in world music. Requirements for music PhD students also include MUS 659 - Seminar in College Music Teaching , and/or supervised college teaching experiences.

The PhD student must spend at least three semesters in program residence (full-time work or the equivalent in credit hours) at UH Mānoa and must complete the degree within seven years. The student must earn a minimum grade of B- in music courses that count toward the PhD in music

Other Requirements. Before advancing to candidacy, reading proficiency must be satisfactorily demonstrated as follows:

Ethnomusicology—One dissertation research language and one library research language.
Music Education—Language appropriate to the areas of research or research statistics.
Musicology—Two European languages: German and one other language, preferably French.
Composition—Language appropriate to areas of research. Presentation of a full (50-60 minute) recital of works composed during the doctoral residency.

Comprehensive Exam and Advancing to Candidacy. This exam measures the student’s readiness to begin significant research in the selected major area of research. It is given only after successful completion of course work, fulfillment of residency requirements, successful completion of all language requirements, and notice from the advisory committee that the student is sufficiently prepared for this examination. This two-part exam consists of a written portion and a two-hour oral portion. A student failing this exam may retake it once, but must do so within one year. Passing this exam enables the student to begin the dissertation process and receive an ABD certificate from UH Mānoa, indicating that all requirements of the doctorate except for the dissertation have been completed. Following the formation of a five-member doctoral committee, the comprehensive exam, and submission and approval of a dissertation proposal by the doctoral committee, the student is advanced to candidacy.

After this occurs, all that remains is fieldwork (for ethnomusicology majors only), research for and writing of the dissertation, and the oral defense of the dissertation.

Final Oral Examination. Basically a defense of the dissertation, this exam is conducted by the five-member doctoral committee, consisting of graduate faculty members appointed by the music graduate chair and approved by the Graduate Division dean. The chair of the student’s advisory committee normally serves as the chair of the student’s doctoral committee. At least one member must be from outside the music department, but music department members make up the majority. The committee chair and outside member must be physically present at the exam, which is subject to other regulations described at the Graduate Division website: manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/content/final-defense.

The student arranges the date of the final oral exam in consultation with the doctoral committee; it usually takes place during the semester the student has completed the dissertation document. Copies of the document must be presented to the committee at least two weeks prior to the examination. At the examinations, the committee scrutinizes and judges the student’s knowledge and understanding of the field of concentration, with emphasis on the content of the dissertation.