Suggested Plan of Study

The program for the Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education provides advanced students with the opportunity to achieve the highest levels of scholarly competence and to develop the capacity to make significant contributions to knowledge in their field. The program has three elements:

1. a thorough knowledge of an area of concentration;
2. supportive studies that provide a broad general knowledge of the discipline of music; and
3. additional studies related to the area of concentration. 

The program described below is intended to indicate both the nature of the course work and the usual elements for fulfilling the requirements for the PHD. The student's actual course of study is designed to provide a well-rounded total program, including depth in the major area and breadth in supportive and related studies. 

Each student selects a program of study in consultation with an advisor. It must include a reasonable concentration and breadth of study designed to foster research, scholarship, and knowledge of a specialty in relation to allied academic areas, must be approved by the advisor, and is subject to the rules of the Graduate Studies Committee. At least 50% of the courses must be designated graduate-study only (courses at the 6000-8000 level). 

Master’s Degree — 30 total credit hours

For students who enter the program with a master's degree in music (30 semester credits), the program requires a minimum of 50 additional semester credits of advanced graduate study. 

Major Area of Concentration – 27 total credit hours

• Music 6786 – Music Research Methods and Bibliography (3 credit hours)
• Music 7760 – Basic Concepts of Music Education (3 credit hours)
• Music 7761 – Principles of Music Learning (3 credit hours)
• Music 7770 – Introduction to Research in Music Education (3 credit hours)
• Music 8874 – Seminar: The Development of Music Education (3 credit hours)
• Music 8875 – Seminar: Psychological Factors in Music Education (3 credit hours)
• Music 8877 – Seminar: Social Factors in Music Education (3 credit hours)
• Music 8879 – Seminar: Music in Higher Education (3 credit hours)
• Music 8895 – Seminar in Music (special topics) (3 credit hours)

Dissertation — 6 total credit hours

• Music 8999 – Research for Dissertation or Document 

Supportive Studies — 17 total credit hours

Courses may be from any discipline relevant to the student’s development and interests. 

Total Minimum Post-Baccalaureate credits — 80 credit hours

Questions? Email mus-grad@osu.edu.