University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

The PhD programme centres on sustained, original research leading to a doctoral dissertation; it combines advanced coursework with intensive methodological training, fieldwork or creative practice, and pedagogy. Typical study areas include ethnomusicology (with particular strength in Pacific, Asian and Indigenous musics), historical musicology, music theory and analysis, composition and contemporary music technologies, and performance practice.

• Core research training: advanced research methods, qualitative and quantitative approaches to music research, archival methods, oral history and fieldwork techniques.
• Area modules: specialised seminars in ethnomusicology, music history, theory, composition or music cognition depending on supervisory expertise and student focus.
• Methodology and languages: language preparation where relevant to research (e.g. Pacific or Asian languages), transcription and notation methods, and analytical tools such as corpus analysis or digital humanities approaches.
• Applied practice: for performance- or composition-oriented students, supervised recitals, composition portfolios or practice-led research that complement the written dissertation.
• Teaching and professional development: graduate pedagogy seminars, opportunities to teach undergraduate courses or lead workshops, and training in grant writing, public engagement and museum or archival practice.

Programme progression typically involves an initial period of coursework and qualifying examinations, advancement to candidacy following presentation and approval of a research proposal, supervised research and fieldwork (where relevant), and completion and defence of the doctoral dissertation or equivalent creative project.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a relevant master's degree (such as MA, MM or equivalent) in music, ethnomusicology or a closely related discipline. Exceptional applicants holding only a bachelor’s degree but with substantial postgraduate experience may be considered in line with departmental policies.

• Academic transcripts: strong academic record at the master’s level in relevant subjects.
• Research proposal: a concise statement outlining proposed doctoral research, research questions, methodology and the significance of the project.
• Supporting materials: examples of scholarly writing (such as an MA thesis or article), and for practice-led applicants a portfolio, score samples or recordings of recent performances/compositions.
• References: typically three academic or professional references who can attest to the applicant’s research potential and readiness for doctoral study.
• Audition/interview: for performance or composition specialisms an audition or interview may be required.
• English language proficiency: evidence of English language ability for international applicants where relevant, through recognised tests or institutional equivalence.

Admission is also dependent on the availability of appropriate faculty supervision aligned with the applicant’s research interests.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Music pursue a range of careers that draw on advanced research, analytical and pedagogical skills. Common pathways include:

• Academic careers: tenure-track and adjunct positions in universities and conservatoires in areas such as ethnomusicology, music history, theory and composition.
• Research and curation: roles in museums, archives, cultural heritage organisations and research institutes focused on documentation, preservation and interpretation of musical traditions.
• Arts leadership and policy: positions in arts administration, cultural programming, community arts development and cultural resource management.
• Creative careers: professional performance, composition, interdisciplinary practice, and work in music technology and sound design.
• Public engagement and education: music education leadership, curriculum development, outreach and consultancy on cultural policy and education projects.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa offers a distinctive environment for doctoral study in music, with particular strengths in Pacific, Asian and Indigenous musics and a strong tradition of ethnomusicological research. The department’s location provides direct access to living musical communities, rich archival collections and language resources that support fieldwork and culturally grounded scholarship.

• Regional specialism: unique opportunities to study Hawaiian music and broader Pacific and Asian musical cultures, supported by local community partnerships and research centres.
• Interdisciplinary resources: collaboration across departments and centres—such as anthropology, Asian studies and the Centre for Pacific Islands Studies—enables comparative and cross-cultural research approaches.
• Performance and practice: active ensembles, recital series and composition platforms provide performance and presentation opportunities for doctoral candidates.
• Experienced faculty: supervisory staff with expertise in ethnomusicology, musicology, theory and creative practice who support diverse research agendas.
• Location and community: studying in Hawaiʻi affords immediate proximity to communities and traditions central to many research projects, and fosters engagement with living cultural knowledge systems.

Overall, the PhD in Music at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is well suited to researchers who seek serious methodological training, rich fieldwork and archival opportunities, and preparation for careers that bridge scholarship, practice and community engagement.