Music Theory (PhD)
The University of Oregon is one of only four universities on the West Coast that offers a doctoral program in music theory. The program is distinctive in the way it prepares students for careers both as practicing theorists and as teachers of music theory.
The placement record for graduates of the doctoral program in music theory during the last twenty years has been impressive. Doctoral students have become widely known across the United States for their excellent national and regional conference presentations.
The Ph.D. program emphasizes both intellectual and practical skills while enabling students to become as broadly knowledgeable in the field as possible. Included in the course of study are classes in advanced analysis (including Schenkerian, post-tonal and Neo-Riemannian analysis), form in tonal music, analysis of popular music, history of theory, world music, pedagogy, college music teaching, composition, and electronic/computer music, among other subjects.
Each student experiences a great deal of personal attention from the faculty, and most students gain teaching experience through participation in our Graduate Employee program. There is an especially supportive relationship between the student and his or her major advisor and with members of the student's doctoral committee. The Ph.D. program culminates in a public presentation of the candidate’s research, as well as a dissertation.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced competencies in music theory. Studies in this area comprise as much as two-thirds or at least one-third of the total curriculum.
- Gain knowledge and skills in one or more fields of music outside the major such as history and literature, composition, musicology and ethnomusicology, performance, and pedagogy. Such supportive studies in music that broaden and deepen musical competence comprise at least one-third of the total curriculum.
- As a culminating demonstration of professional capability in the major field, the student must submit a dissertation that demonstrates advanced competence in theoretical research and writing.
Doctor of Philosophy in Music Theory Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUS 615 | Current Trends in Music Theory | 3 |
| MUE 641 | College Music Teaching | 3 |
| Music in Historic Era - select two from the following: | 6 | |
| Music in the Middle Ages | ||
| Music in the Renaissance | ||
| Music in the Baroque Era | ||
| Music in the Classical Period | ||
| Music in the Romantic Era | ||
| Music in the 20th Century | ||
| Non-Music Courses 1 | 8 | |
| Research Development Courses (2 courses or 8 credits) 2 | 6-8 | |
| MUE 639 | Pedagogy and Practicum: [Topic] | 3 |
| Three Music Theory Seminars | 12 | |
| Seminar: Music Theory: [Topic] | ||
| MUS 516 | Post-Tonal Theory I | 3 |
| MUS 634 | Advanced Post-Tonal Theory | 3 |
| Tonal Analysis/Theory - select three from the following: | 9 | |
| Tonal Analysis: Linear Prolongational Analysis | ||
| Tonal Analysis: Form in Tonal Music | ||
| Tonal Analysis: Analysis of Popular Music | ||
| Post-Tonal Theory II | ||
| MUS 533 | Counterpoint | 4 |
| MUS 534 | Counterpoint | 4 |
| MUS 631 | History of Theory II | 3 |
| MUS 632 | History of Theory III | 3 |
| Counterpoint/History of Theory - select one from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Counterpoint | ||
| History of Theory I | ||
| Comprehensive Exam | ||
| Dissertation | 18 | |
| Dissertation | ||
| Final Lecture and Oral Defense of Dissertation | ||
| Total Credits | 91-94 | |
| 1 | Chosen in consultation with faculty advisor. These courses are intended to assist with content creation of the final dissertation. |
| 2 | Chosen in consultation with faculty advisor. These courses are intended to prepare students for the research and writing/creation of the final dissertation. |