Doctor of Philosophy in Theory

Click here for Ph.D. Degree Course Checklist for theory area.

The PhD in music theory requires a minimum of 72 post-baccalaureate semester hours, and residency at The University of Iowa of two semesters of 9 s.h. without an assistantship, or three semesters of 6 s.h. while holding at least a 25% assistantship.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit the following items to the Office of Admissions:

• Application for Graduate Admissions—Items A-C
• Application for Graduate Admissions—Items G-J (signed and dated)
• $60 nonrefundable application processing fee (must accompany your application)
• Official academic records
• Official TOEFL score report, if applicable

GRE scores are desirable but not required.

For more information, visit the Graduate College Web site.

Applicants must submit the following items to the School of Music Academic Office:

• Application for Graduate Admissions—Items A-C
• Application for Graduate Admission—Items D-F (including your Statement of Purpose—Item E on a separate sheet)
• Official academic records
• Three letters of recommendation
• If applicable, Application for Graduate Awards
• MA thesis or the equivalent demonstrating theoretical training, analytical skills, and focused critical interpretation

Students applying for fall semester admission should submit a complete application by January 15. Late applications will be considered only if openings remain. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact members of the theory faculty well in advance of applying with questions about the program, to discuss the applicant’s interests and prior training, or to arrange meetings and observe classes during a campus visit.

Financial aid for graduate students in theory typically takes the form of a 25% teaching assistantship that involves working ten hours per week in freshman or sophomore theory classes, which meet daily. The duties include grading papers, attending theory lectures, and teaching aural skills and sight-singing to a section of ten to fifteen students twice a week. TAs are automatically eligible for in-state tuition. Non-native speakers of English must be certified for teaching assistantship duties by passing an on-campus English speaking and comprehension test.

Before classes begin in fall semester, the music theory faculty tests the keyboard proficiency of newly appointed TAs. TAs with insufficient keyboard facility for teaching aural skills must enroll in 025:153 Keyboard Harmony. The faculty tests the TAs concerned again at the end of fall semester. Those whose skills remain insufficient will be removed from aural skills teaching duties.

Applicants who wish to be nominated for a University of Iowa Presidential Graduate Fellowship must submit all application materials December 1. GRE scores are desirable but not required. For more information about the Presidential Graduate Fellowship Program, visit the Graduate College Fellowship program Web site.

A. Language Requirements

The student must demonstrate the ability to read pertinent scholarly literature in French or German and one other language. (Based on research needs, the student may petition the theory faculty to substitute another language for either French or German.) This requirement must be fulfilled before the student takes the comprehensive examination, preferably during the first year of residency. This requirement can be met in one of the following ways:

1. Completion with a passing grade on the final examination of two semesters of a graduate-level reading course approved by the theory faculty.
2. Two years of course work in each language while enrolled as a graduate student.
3. Written examination administered by the theory faculty. The exam will consist of a short article in the designated language, about which the student will answer a series of questions and of which she or he will translate a short excerpt.

B. Musicianship Examination

The student must demonstrate competence in six areas of practical musicianship:

• Sight singing
• Dictation of a chorale
• Keyboard sight reading
• Realization of throroughbass OR harmonization of a melody from chord symbols
• Keyboard sight reading of a string quartet score
• Reduction at the keyboard of an orchestral score

Musicianship examinations are offered once a semester. The student may take the examination as many times as necessary to pass.

C. Qualifying Examination

At the end of the second semester of study or the beginning of the third, the student must pass a written examination evaluating foundational theoretical knowledge and analytical skills with regard to a reading and score study list determined by the theory faculty. The examination consists of a four-hour written component and an oral component. A student holding an MA in theory from The University of Iowa may, at the discretion of the theory faculty, be excused from the qualifying examination.

D. Comprehensive Examination

At the end of the fourth semester of study or the beginning of the fifth, the student must pass a written examination evaluating mastery of the following areas:

• Analysis of tonal and post-tonal music
• History of music theory
• Concepts and methods of music theory
• Music history and literature.

The examination will be evaluated by a committee of five members of the graduate faculty, at least three of whom must be from the theory faculty. The Graduate College requires a member from the relevant department outside the School when a field outside music is included in the examination.

The student must pass the musicianship examination and satisfy the language requirements before taking the comprehensive examination.

E. Dissertation

The student must submit a dissertation that represents an original contribution to the knowledge of the discipline.

After passing the comprehensive examination, the student shall choose a dissertation topic in consultation with a tenured or tenure-track faculty member who shall serve as supervisor. The student shall submit a formal proposal for the dissertation to the area faculty. The proposal shall include a synopsis of the argument and a prospectus for research to be conducted, a tentative chapter outline, and a bibliography. The student and area faculty will then meet for a presentation and discussion of the proposal. After securing approval of the area faculty, the student and supervisor shall choose a committee of five members of the graduate faculty, at least two of whom must be from the theory faculty. The Graduate College requires a member from a department outside the School.

When the student and supervisor agree that the dissertation is satisfactorily complete, the student shall make a public oral defense of the document before the committee. The defense must be held at least thirty days before the date for the first deposit of the dissertation at the Graduate College in the term during which the student wishes to graduate.

Last updated 21-jan-09