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Music Ph.D. (Critical Music Studies)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Upon completion of the degree, students should be able to make an original contribution to the critical study of music and sound, demonstrating expertise in a specialized area of music research by synthesizing existing literature in relevant areas of music scholarship and cultural studies (including but not limited to music history, music theory, music analysis, philosophy, ethnomusicology, and anthropology), analyzing the meanings and significance of music and sound through the application of appropriate methodologies, and articulating the findings of their research and analysis in sophisticated and compelling terms.

2. Upon completion of the degree, students should be able to deliver an oral presentation based upon their research. This presentation should clearly convey the student’s original arguments and interventions; it should situate these vis-a-vis existing scholarship or ongoing conversations in scholarly communities; and it should demonstrate clear organization, persuasive speaking and writing, and effective use of relevant technologies (e.g. PowerPoint, video and audio materials, etc.). As part of the colloquium, students should also demonstrate their ability to successfully engage in question-and-answer dialogue with other scholars.

3. During year three of the doctoral program, students complete and revise a substantial written paper, in the manner of a peer-reviewed academic article in the fields of academic music studies. This paper should demonstrate advanced skills in research and argumentation, broad familiarity with relevant literature encountered during the first several years of coursework, and professional writing abilities. A Master's level paper is typically also a step on a student’s progress toward their own long-term research project.

SUCCESS RATES

56.3%

8-year graduation rate

6.69

Avg. years to degree

MEDIAN EARNINGS

$60,882

10 years after graduation

$49,590

5 years after graduation

$35,626

1 year after graduation

PLACEMENT2 years after graduation

40.5%

Working in New York

2.0%

Continuing Education

Notes

Graduation rates: the percent of students entering the doctoral program any time during the academic year and graduating by May 31 eight years later. Methodology adheres to guidelines from the AAU Data Exchange doctoral completion rates and means that spring entrants have less time to complete. Average of three most recent reporting years (2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24) Years to degree: the average number of years it takes a student to complete the selected program. Average of the three most recent completion years (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23). No Asterisk-Earnings: the median annual earnings of graduates in the selected program at the master’s degree level based on the 2-digit CIP code at 1, 5 and 10 years after graduation. U.S. Census, Postsecondary Enrollment Outcomes Explorer. Degree completers from 2001-2018 in 2020 dollars. Asterisk- Earnings: the median annual earnings of graduates in the selected program at the master’s degree level at 1, 5 and 10 years after graduation. SUNY Graduates Post Completions Interactive Dashboard. Degree completers from 2005-2019 in 2020 dollars. Working in NY State: the percent of graduates working in New York State two years after graduation. SUNY Wages Dashboard, includes graduates from 2015-18. Most recent available data from SUNY as of January 31, 2024