The Degree of PhD (Music) [Graduate]

Entrance Requirements

The entrance requirement is an MA or MMus degree or equivalent and evidence of outstanding ability and accomplishment in the area of specialization, and where applicable, satisfactory completion of English language proficiency prior to admission (see English Language Requirement ). Applicants who hold a BMus or BA (Hon) in Music must complete the core of courses relevant to the MA.

Program Requirements

Courses of study for PhD students will be formulated by the Department according to individual need; however, at least ★18 will be required, including MUSIC 699 . MUSIC 699 , Directed Research, involves the preparation of a potentially publishable essay, in an area distinct from that addressed in the dissertation. Students who have completed a master’s thesis may be exempt from this requirement if the student’s supervisory committee determines that the thesis is acceptable as a substitute. All course work must be completed prior to the qualifying and candidacy examinations.

Students are required to demonstrate proficiency in two approved languages other than English appropriate to the area of research and approved by the student’s supervisory committee. Ordinarily one of those languages will be French or German. Course work undertaken to satisfy this requirement will not be credited toward the program. Any language proficiency established in the course of previous graduate work will be credited toward this requirement. Students must satisfy the language requirement prior to the qualifying (written) and candidacy (oral) examinations.

Once the student has successfully completed the candidacy examination, the student may begin the dissertation. The dissertation requirement concludes with an oral examination of the completed document.

In addition to the regulations outlined above, the general regulations for the PhD degree stated in Time Line for the Appointment of Supervisors  also apply.

The minimum period of residence is two academic years of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.

Length of Program

The time required to complete the program will vary with the individual candidate; however, a minimum of three years of study and research is normally required.