Music Composition PhD

The Department of Music has-for decades-enjoyed a reputation as one of a handful of departments in North America dedicated to contemporary musical creation at the highest level. Composition at the University at Buffalo flourishes today, by providing a wide range of stimulating musical and intellectual experiences, within a program that allows students the space to develop and mature. In an atmosphere that encourages musical and technological experiment, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and the development of authentic creative character, graduate composers at UB take advantage of a number of resources and opportunities.

Curriculum

The following is the approved normal course of study for students pursuing a PhD in Composition. In all cases, a student’s particular program should be determined in consultation with his/her academic advisor. Customized tracks, involving substitutions for required and elective courses, are encouraged. These must be planned in advance with the advisor and will require the approval of the Music Department Graduate Committee.

Required core (32-36 credits)

MUS 628TUT - Composition Credits: 3-4 Taken for 6 semesters, 24 credits total.
MUS 628SEM - Composition Seminar Credits: 2 Taken for 6 semesters, 12 credits total.

Musicology Core (12 credits)

Select 3 courses from the following list:

MUS 515SEM - Music and Queer Studies Credits: 4
MUS 517SEM - Music, Gender, and Sexuality Credits: 4
MUS 525SEM - Popular Music Studies Credits: 4
MUS 527SEM - Music and Modernity Credits: 4
MUS 528SEM - Media, Memory, and Notation Credits: 4
MUS 529LEC - Studies in US Music Credits: 4
MUS 615SEM - Discussion in Musicology Credits: 4

Music Theory Core (12 credits)

Select 3 courses from the following list:

MUS 613SEM - Analyzing Popular Music Credits: 4
MUS 614SEM - Discourses in Music Theory Credits: 4
MUS 621SEM - Topics in Tonal Theory and Analysis Credits: 4
MUS 629SEM - Analyzing Twentieth- and Twenty-First Century Music Credits: 4

Additional Requirements (10 Credits)

MUS 600TUT - Tutorial Credits: 1 - 12
MUS 612LEC - Computer Music Credits: 4
MUS 619LEC - Advanced Orchestration Credits: 4

Dissertation (2 credits)

MUS 700TUT - Doctoral Dissertat Direct Credits: 1 - 12

Foreign Language Requirement

One foreign language: French, German, or Italian. Another natural language may be substituted with approval of student’s academic advisor and the Graduate Committee.

Total Credit Hours: 72

3.0 Degree GPA required

Instruction Method

In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

Full/Part Time Options

Full Time

Time-To-Degree

5 Years

Credits Required

72 Hours

Application Fee

$75

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).

Online programs/courses may require students to come to campus on occasion. Time-to-degree and number of credit hours may vary based on full/part time status, degree, track and/or certification option chosen. Time-to-degree is based on calendar year(s). Contact the department for details.