University of Colorado Boulder

What you'll study

The PhD in Music is a flexible, research-led degree that combines advanced study in a chosen subfield with professional preparation for academic and creative careers. Students typically undertake intensive work in one or more of the following concentrations: historical musicology, ethnomusicology, music theory, composition, performance, and music perception/cognition or music technology. Coursework and research emphasise original scholarship, critical methods, and the contextual study of music.

• Core research methods and theory: seminars in research methods, historiography, critical theory, and ethics of scholarship.
• Specialist seminars: advanced reading and research seminars aligned with the student’s chosen concentration (for example, Renaissance and Baroque studies, nineteenth-century studies, ethnographic methods, advanced tonal and post-tonal analysis, or compositional techniques).
• Practical and creative modules: for performance and composition students, regular lessons, studio time, public recitals, and composition workshops are integrated with research expectations.
• Interdisciplinary options: opportunities to take courses or collaborate with related units (theatre and dance, psychology/cognition, music technology, digital media, and the ATLAS Institute) to support interdisciplinary or practice-as-research projects.
• Teaching preparation: pedagogy seminars, supervised teaching or graduate instructor experience, and opportunities to develop syllabi and teaching portfolios.
• Comprehensive examinations and dissertation: after completing required coursework and exams, students propose, research and write a doctoral dissertation that makes a substantial original contribution to the field.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a master’s degree in music or a closely related field, or demonstrate equivalent academic and professional experience. Admissions are based on an assessment of academic preparation, research potential, and fit with the department’s faculty expertise.

• Academic transcripts: evidence of a master’s-level background in music, musicology, theory, composition, performance or a related discipline.
• Research proposal/statement of purpose: a clear statement outlining research interests, proposed dissertation topics, and how these align with faculty strengths.
• Portfolio or audition: for composition and performance applicants, submission of a recorded recital, composition portfolio or scores as specified by the department.
• Letters of recommendation: typically three academic or professional references who can speak to research ability and readiness for doctoral study.
• Writing samples: for scholarly tracks, an academic paper or sample of analytical writing; for creative tracks, composition samples and contextualising materials.
• English language proficiency: required for applicants whose first language is not English, according to university policy.
• Interview: shortlisted applicants may be invited to an interview or audition, either in person or remotely.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Music pursue a range of careers across academia, the arts and cultural sectors. The degree prepares students for positions that require advanced research skills, critical thinking and teaching experience.

• Academic careers: research and teaching posts in universities and conservatoires, including tenure-track faculty positions and postdoctoral research roles.
• Performance and composition: professional careers as performers, composers, and creative researchers, often combining performance with academic work or residencies.
• Research and cultural institutions: curatorial roles, music librarianship, archival work, programme development at museums and cultural organisations.
• Music technology and industry: roles in audio research, sound design, music software development, and interdisciplinary initiatives linking music with cognitive science and engineering.
• Arts leadership and education: positions in arts administration, community music organisations, K–12 and higher-education pedagogy, and public scholarship.

Why study at University of Colorado Boulder

University of Colorado Boulder offers a research-rich environment within a College of Music and a Department of Theatre & Dance that encourage both rigorous scholarship and creative practice. The campus provides access to experienced faculty whose work spans historical, ethnographic, theoretical and technological approaches to music, enabling close mentorship for doctoral projects.

• Facilities and resources: performance venues, studios and departmental resources support high-level performance, composition and recording work, alongside strong library collections for music scholarship.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration: proximity to centres of research in cognition, engineering and digital media fosters cross-disciplinary projects and access to specialised technical resources.
• Professional development: structured teaching opportunities, workshops and a supportive environment for career preparation in academia and the creative industries.
• Local arts ecosystem: Boulder and the nearby Denver metro area offer vibrant cultural scenes for performance, community engagement and professional networking.

Together, these strengths make CU Boulder a strong choice for doctoral candidates seeking to advance original research and sustained creative practice in music and theatre-related fields.