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Music Theory - Composition - Ph.D.

COLLEGE: College of the Arts
DEPARTMENT: School of Music
E101 Music and Speech Center
Tel: 330-672-2172
E-mail: dseachri@kent.edu
Web: www.kent.edu/music/
 
DESCRIPTION: The Ph.D. in Music Theory–Composition prepares composers, research scholars and college and university teachers in the area of music theory. This degree program is based on the premise that original composition of high quality requires a strong background in theory, and that significant scholarship in theory requires experience in original composition.
ADMISSION
REQUIREMENTS:
 Official transcript(s); 3.0 GPA; GRE if GPA is below 3.0; three letters of recommendation;resume; goal statement; and writing sample; at least three scores of original compositions demonstrating a variety of genres (chamber, orchestral, piano, choral, etc.).
GRADUATION
REQUIREMENTS:
 		Minimum of 60 to 72 credit hours.
RESIDENCE:
 The student must complete at least 15 semester hours of study within one calendar year in residence.
CANDIDACY: This examination will normally be taken when the student has substantially completed his/her coursework and has received the consent of the advisory committee to attempt the examination. The written portion of the examination will cover the major and supportive areas of study and will be followed by a comprehensive oral examination. Students who fail the candidacy examination two times will be dismissed from the doctoral program.
DISSERTATION:
 		Required to take coursework, including the writing of a thesis (if required in that area), necessary to achieve the level of competence expected of a student who does hold a master's degree in that area.
RESEARCH TOOL REQUIREMENT: Each doctoral program in the School of Music has a research tool requirement. The purpose of this requirement is to assure that doctoral-level students have prerequisite skills for completing independent research activity. Specific requirements for each of the programs are described in the following paragraphs. In all cases, students may satisfy these requirements either through satisfactory performance in coursework or by examination. Credit hours earned in acquiring these competencies are not applicable toward the credit hour requirement in the degree program. All research tool requirements must be passed before the student is permitted to attempt the candidacy examination.

In theory-composition, the requirement is either a reading knowledge of one foreign language or a demonstrated competence in an area of research specified by the doctoral advisory committee.
PROGRAM FEE: None
ACCREDITATION: National Association of Schools of Music