Music

Program Overview

Quick Facts

Master of Arts (Field: Ethnomusicology)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants to the MA in Music, Ethnomusicology field are accepted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Music's additional admission requirements stated below.

• An appropriate Bachelor of Arts specialist degree or Bachelor of Music degree from a recognized university, with an average standing equivalent to a University of Toronto mid-B or better over the final two years.

• Applicants whose undergraduate degrees do not meet this standard may be required to take up to a full year of prerequisite courses.

• Applicants must submit an essay representative of their work in music history or ethnomusicology.

• Two letters of reference commenting on the applicant's academic ability and promise.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • 0.5 FCE: MUS1000H Introduction to Music Research I in Year 1

  • 0.5 FCE: MUS1002H Fieldwork Methods and Practicum, offered in alternate years

  • 3.5 of the 6.0 FCEs must be in the discipline; this includes MUS1000H

  • Up to 1.0 FCE may be taken outside of Musicology, Ethnomusicology, or Music Theory (either in the Graduate Department of Music or another graduate unit) with approval of the course and program advising committee.

  • The primary means of evaluating quality are research essays and seminar presentations. MUS1990H MA Major Paper or Project is optional.

• A course and program advising (CPA) committee will review course selections. The CPA committee will ensure course selections meet the program requirements and are appropriate to the field.

• Students must maintain a minimum average of A– in Year 1 of the program in order to progress to Year 2.

• One language other than English is required: this should be relevant to a student's musical and scholarly interests. The chosen language must be approved by the department. Students are strongly encouraged to complete the language requirement in Year 1.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

Master of Arts (Field: Music and Health Sciences)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Music's additional admission requirements stated below.

• A Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Music Therapy degree with an average standing of mid-B or better over the final two years, or an equivalent program and standing from another recognized university. Applicants who have taken courses in music therapy, psychology, kinesiology, and/or rehabilitation science are preferred. Applicants whose undergraduate degree does not meet this standard may be required to take appropriate prerequisite courses.

• Selected applicants will be scheduled for an interview. Depending on circumstances, an assigned essay may be substituted for the interview with faculty approval.

• Two letters of reference commenting on the applicant's professional experience and academic ability.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 4.0 full-course equivalents [FCEs] as follows:

  • Required courses (3.0 FCEs)

    • One of the following quantitative methods research courses (0.5 FCE), approved by the advisor:

      • CHL5201H Biostatistics I

      • JOI1287H Introduction to Applied Statistics

      • NUR1075H Introductory Statistics for Health Sciences Research

      • REH1120H Research Methods for Rehabilitation

    • MUS7110H Neurosciences of Music: Scientific Foundations, Clinical Translations (0.5 FCE)

    • MUS7412H Elementary Improvisation Methods (0.5 FCE)

    • Three of the following courses (1.5 FCEs) or other course(s) as approved by the department:

      • MUS4248H Optimizing the Singing Mind

      • MUS4613H Performance Techniques for Hospice Palliative Care

      • MUS7400H Introduction to Music and Health Care

      • MUS7406H Music Psychology

      • MUS7407H⁰ Clinical Research Practicum

      • MUS7415H Topics in Music and Health I

      • MUS7416H Topics in Music and Health II

  • Elective courses (1.0 FCE) from health-related music courses or from health-related departments as approved by the advisor. Students may choose to enrol in a recommended collaborative specialization during their study, such as the Collaborative Specialization in Aging, Palliative and Supportive Care Across the Life Course or the Collaborative Specialization in Neuroscience. The course(s) taken as part of the collaborative specialization may count towards this elective requirement.

• All students are assigned a faculty advisor.

• Students must pass, by the end of Year 1, a comprehensive examination (oral) in music and health, based on four selected essays representing a cohesive research direction. Two attempts to complete the exam are permitted. If the second attempt is unsuccessful, the department will recommend termination of the student’s program.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

Master of Arts (Field: Music Education)

Students may complete the degree program full-time or part-time.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Music's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the University of Toronto with an average standing of mid-B or better over the final two years, or an equivalent program and standing from another recognized university. Applicants whose undergraduate degree does not meet this standard may be required to take appropriate prerequisite courses.

• Applicants will normally have two years of teaching experience, although this requirement may be waived at the discretion of the department.

• An interview with the Music Education faculty must be scheduled whenever possible. With faculty approval, an assigned essay may be substituted for the interview.

• Two letters of reference commenting on the applicant's teaching experience, music performance ability, and academic ability.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 4.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • A minimum of 2.5 FCEs in Music Education, including MUS2111H Introduction to Research in Music Education and MUS2151H Philosophy and Music Education.

  • Elective courses may be chosen from the MA/PhD/MMus/DMA courses of instruction and/or other graduate courses available in the University, subject to the approval of the department.

  • A major essay (MUS2990Y⁰) may be substituted for 1.0 FCE with the approval of the department.

• Pass a comprehensive examination in music education (written and oral). Students must successfully complete the comprehensive exam by the end of Year 1. Students are permitted two attempts to complete the exam. If students are unsuccessful in their second attempt at the comprehensive exam, the department will make a recommendation for program termination.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S);
6 sessions part-time

Time Limit

3 years full-time;
6 years part-time

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

Master of Arts (Field: Musicology)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants to the MA in Music, Musicology field are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Music's additional admission requirements stated below.

• An appropriate Bachelor of Arts specialist degree or Bachelor of Music degree from a recognized university, with an average standing equivalent to a University of Toronto mid-B or better over the final two years. Applicants whose undergraduate degrees do not meet this standard may be required to take up to a full year of prerequisite courses.

• Applicants must submit an essay representative of their work in music history.

• Two letters of reference commenting on the applicant's academic ability and promise.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • 0.5 FCE: MUS1000H Introduction to Music Research I in Year 1.

  • 3.0 of the 6.0 FCEs must be in the discipline; this includes MUS1000H.

  • Up to 1.0 FCE may be taken outside of Musicology, Ethnomusicology, or Music Theory (either in the Graduate Department of Music or another graduate unit) with approval of the course and program advising (CPA) committee.

  • The primary means of evaluating quality are research essays and seminar presentations. MUS1990H MA Major Paper or Project is optional.

  • A CPA committee will review course selections. The CPA committee will ensure course selections meet the program requirements and are appropriate to the field.

• One language other than English is required. The default language at the MA level is German. Students may petition to substitute another language if it is more relevant to their research. Petitions must be submitted to the Division Head (Musicology or Music Theory) by the end of the first session of Year 1. Information on petitioning is available at the Faculty of Music Graduate Studies Office.

  Students can fulfil the language requirement in one of the following three ways:

  • Complete GER300H at U of T or its equivalent from another university with a minimum grade of B+; or

  • Complete GER6000H; or

  • Pass a proficiency exam set by the Division.

• Students must maintain a minimum average of A– in Year 1 in order to progress to Year 2.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

Master of Arts (Field: Music Theory)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants to the MA in Music, Music Theory field are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Music's additional admission requirements stated below.

• An appropriate Bachelor of Arts specialist degree or Bachelor of Music degree from a recognized university, with an average standing equivalent to a University of Toronto mid-B or better over the final two years.

• Applicants must submit an essay that represents their work in music theory.

• Two letters of reference commenting on the applicant's academic ability and promise.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • 0.5 FCE: MUS1000H Introduction to Music Research in Year 1.

  • A minimum of 3.0 FCEs in graduate courses in music theory; at least two of these (2.0 FCEs) must be graduate-only seminars.

  • Up to 1.0 FCE may be taken outside of musicology, ethnomusicology, and music theory (either in the Graduate Department of Music or another graduate unit) with approval of the department.

  • MUS1990H MA Major Paper or Project (0.5 FCE) is optional.

  • A course and program advising (CPA) committee will review course selections. The CPA committee will ensure course selections meet the requirements of the program and are appropriate to the field.

• One language other than English is required. The default language at the MA level is German. Students may petition to substitute another language if it is more relevant to their research. Petitions must be submitted to the Division Head (Musicology or Music Theory) by the end of the first session of Year 1. Information on petitioning is available at the Faculty of Music Graduate Studies Office.
  
  Students can fulfil the language requirement in one of the following three ways:

  • Complete GER300H at U of T or its equivalent from another university with a minimum grade of B+; or

  • Complete GER6000H; or

  • Pass a proficiency exam set by the Division.

• Students must maintain a minimum average of A– in Year 1 in order to progress to Year 2.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

Doctor of Philosophy (Field: Ethnomusicology)

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate master's degree or 2) direct entry following completion an appropriate bachelor’s degree.

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Music's additional admission requirements stated below.

• The PhD in Music, Ethnomusicology field is a research degree. Applicants must hold a master's degree with specialization in ethnomusicology, musicology, or music theory, but may also be in a cognate field such as anthropology or cultural studies. Applicants must have an average standing of B+ or better.

• An essay of approximately 3,000 words which demonstrates their ability to handle a research problem.

• Applicants, whether from the University of Toronto or elsewhere, may be interviewed by the department.

• Two letters of reference commenting on the applicant's academic ability and promise.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students holding a master's degree specializing in musicology, ethnomusicology, or theory must fulfil the following requirements by the end of Year 2:

  • 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • 0.5 FCE: MUS1250H PhD Seminar, taken in the first session

    • 0.5 FCE: MUS1997H⁰ Research in Ethnomusicology

    • 1.0 FCE in graduate-only seminars in ethnomusicology

    • 1.0 FCE in electives, of which 0.5 FCE may be taken outside of musicology, ethnomusicology, and music theory (either in the Graduate Department of Music or another graduate unit). With approval from the course and program advising (CPA) committee, one 0.5 FCE course may be deferred to the first session of Year 2.

  • Coursework should be completed during Year 1 with an average grade of at least A–. The exception is MUS1997H⁰ Research in Ethnomusicology, which lays the groundwork for the field examination and the dissertation: this course must be started at the beginning of the second session of Year 1 and completed by the end of the first session of Year 2.

  • The CPA committee will review course selections to ensure that they meet the requirements of the program and are appropriate to the field. The department may prescribe additional courses if it is felt they are necessary to develop the knowledge and skills required for a student's proposed subject of study.

• Advanced oral and reading knowledge of a language other than English is required: this should be relevant to a student's musical and scholarly interests. The department may also require competence in additional languages deemed necessary for a proposed area of research. Language requirements must be completed successfully by the end of Year 2.

• Supervisor. During Year 1, students are expected to discuss their interests, expectations, and research objectives with faculty members. An appropriate supervisor of MUS1997H⁰ must then be agreed upon. The supervisor will be primarily responsible for determining the structure and content of MUS1997H⁰, which will include a research paper.

• A set of three comprehensive exams in (1) contemporary issues, (2) history of the field, and (3) repertoire, to be taken at the beginning of Year 2.

  • Students are permitted two attempts to complete each exam. A second attempt must take place at the beginning of the second session. If students are unsuccessful in their second attempt at the comprehensive exam, the department will make a recommendation for program termination.

• Students must prepare a thesis and will defend it at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination.

• The residency requirement is two years, whereby students must be on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Music's additional admission requirements stated below.

• The PhD in Music, Ethnomusicology field is a research degree. Exceptional students may be admitted directly to the doctoral stream with an appropriate bachelor's degree (direct entry). Applicants must have an average standing of A– or better.

• An essay of approximately 3,000 words which demonstrates their ability to handle a research problem.

• Applicants, whether from the University of Toronto or elsewhere, may be interviewed by the department.

• Two letters of reference commenting on the applicant's academic ability and promise.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • Year 1: complete 3.0 FCEs, exclusive of MUS1250H and MUS1997H⁰. Students must maintain an average grade of at least A– in order to continue with the doctorate; otherwise, the student will be required to transfer into the master's program. Successful direct-entry students go on to Year 2.

  • Years 2 and 3: 3.0 FCEs as follows:

    • 0.5 FCE: MUS1250H PhD Seminar, taken in the first session of Year 2.

    • 0.5 FCE: MUS1997H⁰ Research in Ethnomusicology lays the groundwork for the field examination and the dissertation. This course must be started at the beginning of the second session of Year 2 and completed by the end of the first session of Year 3.

    • 1.0 FCE in graduate-only seminars in ethnomusicology.

    • 1.0 FCE in electives, of which 0.5 FCE may be taken outside of musicology, ethnomusicology, and music theory (either in the Graduate Department of Music or another graduate unit). With approval from the course and program advising (CPA) committee, one 0.5 FCE course may be deferred to the first session of Year 2.

    • All course requirements must be completed by the end of Year 3.

  • The CPA committee will review course selections to ensure that they meet the requirements of the program and are appropriate to the field. The department may prescribe additional courses if it is felt they are necessary to develop the knowledge and skills required for a student's proposed subject of study.

• Students must complete an intermediate-level language examination in Year 1. Advanced oral and reading knowledge of a language other than English is required: this should be relevant to the student's musical and scholarly interests. The department may also require competence in additional languages deemed necessary for a proposed area of research. Language requirements must be completed successfully by the end of Year 3.

• Supervisor. During Year 1, students are expected to discuss their interests, expectations, and research objectives with faculty members. An appropriate supervisor of MUS1997H⁰ must then be agreed upon. The supervisor will be primarily responsible for determining the structure and content of MUS1997H⁰, which will include a research paper.

• A set of three comprehensive exams in (1) contemporary issues, (2) history of the field, and (3) repertoire, to be taken at the beginning of Year 3.

  • Students are permitted two attempts to complete each exam. A second attempt must take place at the beginning of the second session. If students are unsuccessful in their second attempt at the comprehensive exam, the department will make a recommendation for program termination.

• Students must prepare a thesis and will defend it at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination.

• The residency requirement is three years, whereby students must be on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

Doctor of Philosophy (Field: Music and Health Sciences)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Music's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants must hold a four-year bachelor’s degree, either in music (or with a musical credential [e.g., ARCT]) or music therapy, plus a field-related master’s degree (e.g., master of music, master of music therapy, master’s degree in a health field such as kinesiology, neuroscience, or speech-language pathology). Applicants must have a standing of B+ or better, from the University of Toronto, or an equivalent degree and standing from another recognized university.

• An interview with Music and Health faculty members whenever possible. With faculty approval, an assigned essay may be substituted for the interview.

• Two letters of reference commenting on the applicant's professional experience and academic ability.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • Required courses (4.0 FCEs):

    • MUS7995Y⁰ Music and Health Doctoral Research Project (1.0 FCE)

    • Two of the following quantitative methods research courses (1.0 FCE), approved by the advisor:

      • CHL5201H Biostatistics I

      • NUR1075H Introductory Statistics for Health Sciences Research

      • REH1120H Research Methods for Rehabilitation

      • JOI1287H Introduction to Applied Statistics

    • Four of the following courses (2.0 FCEs) or other course(s) as approved by the department:

      • MUS4248H Optimizing the Singing Mind

      • MUS4613H Performance Techniques for Hospice Palliative Care

      • MUS7110H Neurosciences of Music: Scientific Foundations, Clinical Translations

      • MUS7406H Music Psychology

      • MUS7407H⁰ Clinical Research Practicum

      • MUS7412H Elementary Improvisation Methods

      • MUS7415H Topics in Music and Health I

      • MUS7416H Topics in Music and Health II

  • Elective courses (2.0 FCEs) from the Faculty of Music or related departments as approved by the advisor. Students in the Collaborative Specialization in Aging, Palliative and Supportive Care Across the Life Course or the Collaborative Specialization in Neuroscience may use the core course(s) from the collaborative specialization for these electives.

• Language requirements, if any, will be established by the student's advisory committee, based on specific research needs.

• Supervision. As early as possible in Year 2, the student will submit a thesis proposal that must be approved by the end of that year. On approval of the proposal by the Music and Health Sciences division, a principal advisor and an advisory committee of at least three members (including the advisor as chair) will be appointed. The committee will meet with the student at least two times each academic year.

• Students must complete a comprehensive examination successfully by the end of Year 2. Students are permitted two attempts to complete the exam. If the second attempt is unsuccessful, the department will recommend termination of the student's program.

• Thesis. Upon successful completion of the field examination, the candidate proceeds to complete an oral defence of the thesis proposal, a thesis, and an oral defence of the thesis.

• Following successful completion of the comprehensive exam, a thesis supervisory committee is formed. The committee membership must be approved by the Academic Dean of Graduate Studies and should include at least one member from the Faculty of Music. The supervisor may be from an appropriate department. The supervisory committee must approve the thesis proposal. Thesis research involving facilities or research participants in other departments (e.g., fMRI scanning or use of hospital patients) must be approved by the Director of the Music and Health Research Collaboratory (MaHRC).

• The residency requirement is two years, whereby students must be on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

Program Length

4 years full-time

Time Limit

6 years full-time

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

Doctor of Philosophy (Field: Music Education)

The PhD program in Music, Music Education field may be completed as a full-time program or a flexible-time program.

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Music's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants must hold a master's degree specializing in music education from the University of Toronto with an average standing of B+ or better, or an equivalent degree and standing from another recognized university.

• An interview with the Music Education faculty must be scheduled whenever possible.

• An assigned essay may be substituted for the interview with faculty approval.

• At the discretion of the faculty, applicants may be required to provide a videotape of their teaching expertise.

• Two letters of reference commenting on the applicant's teaching experience, music performance ability, and academic ability.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) including:

  • At least 2.0 FCEs (including MUS2995Y⁰ Music Education Doctoral Research Project) must be taken from the departmental offerings in music education.

  • The balance of the student's required program must be approved by the department and may include courses from the MA/MMus/PhD/DMA list and/or from another graduate unit.

  • At the department's discretion, the student may receive credit for up to 3.0 FCEs from an acceptable master's degree program.

• Language requirements, if any, will be established by the student's advisory committee, based on specific research needs.

• Supervision. As early as possible in Year 2, the student will submit a thesis proposal which must be approved by the end of that year. On approval of the proposal by the Music Education division of the department, a principal advisor and an advisory committee of at least three members (including the advisor as chair) will be appointed. The committee will meet with the student at least two times each academic year.

• Students must successfully complete a comprehensive exam by the end of Year 2. Students are permitted two attempts to complete the exam. If students are unsuccessful in their second attempt at the comprehensive exam, the department will make a recommendation for program termination.

• Thesis. Upon successful completion of the comprehensive examination, the candidate proceeds to complete an oral defence of the thesis proposal, a thesis, and an oral defence of the thesis.

• The residency requirement is two years, whereby students must be on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

Doctor of Philosophy (Field: Musicology)

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate master's degree or 2) direct entry following completion an appropriate bachelor’s degree.

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Music's additional admission requirements stated below.

• The PhD in Music, Musicology field is a research degree. Applicants must hold a master's degree with specialization in musicology, ethnomusicology, or theory, and must have an average standing of B+ or better.

• Applicants must submit an essay of approximately 3,000 words which demonstrates their ability to handle a research problem.

• Applicants, whether from the University of Toronto or elsewhere, may be interviewed by the department.

• Two letters of reference commenting on the applicant's academic ability and promise.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students holding a master's degree specializing in musicology, ethnomusicology, or theory must fulfil the following requirements:

  • A minimum of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • 0.5 FCE: MUS1250H PhD Seminar is taken in the first session

    • 0.5 FCE: MUS1999H⁰ Research in Musicology

    • 1.0 FCE in graduate-only seminars in musicology

    • 1.0 FCE in electives, of which 0.5 FCE may be taken outside of Musicology, Ethnomusicology, and Music Theory (either in the Graduate Department of Music or another graduate unit). With approval from the CPA committee, one 0.5 FCE course may be deferred to the first session of Year 2.

  • Coursework should be completed during Year 1 with an average grade of at least A–. The exception is MUS1999H⁰, which lays the groundwork for the field examination and the dissertation: this course must be started at the beginning of the second session of Year 1 and completed by the end of the first session of Year 2.

  • A course and program advising (CPA) committee will review course selections. The CPA committee will ensure course selections meet the requirements of the program and are appropriate to the field. Students may be required to take additional courses or acquire other skills to meet the needs of their proposed subjects of study.

• A set of three (written) comprehensive exams in (1) contemporary issues, (2) history of the field, and (3) repertoire, to be taken at the beginning of Year 2.

  • Students are permitted two attempts to complete each exam. A second attempt must take place at the beginning of the second session. If students are unsuccessful in their second attempt at the comprehensive exam, the department will make a recommendation for program termination.

• Two research languages in addition to English are required: one secondary and one primary. The goal is to have all language requirements fulfilled by the end of Year 2.

  • The secondary language requirement is the same as the MA language requirement. The default language for the secondary language requirement is German. Students who wish to choose languages other than German must submit a petition to the Division Head (either Musicology or Music Theory) by the end of the first session of Year 1. Students can fulfil the secondary language requirement in one of the following three ways:

    • Complete GER300H at U of T or its equivalent from another university, with a minimum grade of B+; or

    • Complete GER6000H; or

    • Pass a proficiency exam set by the Division.

  • Students who have fulfilled the MA language requirement at U of T may count this as the secondary language or use it as a stepping stone towards the primary language. Students are expected to complete the secondary language requirement by the end of Year 1.

  • The primary language requirement involves advanced reading proficiency in the chosen language. Students who wish to choose languages other than German must submit a petition to the Division Head (either Musicology or Music Theory) by the end of the first session of Year 1. Information on petitioning is available at the Faculty of Music Graduate Studies Office. Students can fulfil the secondary language requirement in one of the following three ways:

    • Complete a 400-level language course at U of T or its equivalent from another university, with a minimum grade of B+; or

    • Pass a proficiency exam set by the Division; or

    • Pass an exam in another graduate unit by arrangement through the Graduate Department of Music.

• Students are allowed two attempts at the in-house exam, after which they must take a language course at the appropriate MA or PhD level. All language requirements must be completed by the end of Year 3. Exceptions are granted only in extenuating circumstances and by petition.

• Students must prepare a thesis under the direction of an advisor and a committee and will defend it at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination. The thesis, including bibliography and appendices, should ideally be between 75,000 and 80,000 words in length. The department will not consider a thesis that exceeds 100,000 words.

• The residency requirement is two years, whereby students must be on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Music's additional admission requirements stated below.

• The PhD in Music, Musicology field is a research degree. Exceptional students may be admitted directly to the doctoral stream with an appropriate bachelor's degree (direct entry). Applicants must have an average standing of A– or better.

• Applicants must submit an essay of approximately 3,000 words which demonstrates their ability to handle a research problem.

• Applicants, whether from the University of Toronto or elsewhere, may be interviewed by the department.

• Two letters of reference commenting on the applicant's academic ability and promise.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • 3.0 FCEs at the graduate level in Year 1 with a minimum average of A–. The exception is MUS1999H⁰, which lays the groundwork for the field examination and the dissertation: this course must be started at the beginning of the second session of Year 1 and completed by the end of the first session of Year 2.

  • An intermediate-level language exam in Year 1. All language requirements must be completed by Year 3.

  • Following successful completion of Year 1, students must then complete all program requirements of the four-year PhD program.

  • 0.5 FCE: MUS1250H PhD Seminar, taken in the first session of Year 2.

  • 0.5 FCE: MUS1999H⁰ Research in Musicology.

  • 1.0 FCE in graduate-only seminars in musicology.

  • 1.0 FCE in electives, of which 0.5 FCE may be taken outside of Musicology, Ethnomusicology, and Music Theory (either in the Graduate Department of Music or another graduate unit). With approval from the course and program advising (CPA) committee, one 0.5 FCE course may be deferred to the first session of Year 2.

  • The CPA committee will review course selections, ensuring that course selections meet the requirements of the program and are appropriate to the field. Students may be required to take additional courses or acquire other skills to meet the needs of their proposed subjects of study.

• A set of three (written) comprehensive exams in (1) contemporary issues, (2) history of the field, and (3) repertoire, to be taken at the beginning of Year 3.

  • Students are permitted two attempts to complete each exam. A second attempt must take place at the beginning of the second session. If students are unsuccessful in their second attempt at the comprehensive exam, the department will make a recommendation for program termination.

• Two research languages in addition to English are required: one secondary and one primary. The goal is to have all language requirements fulfilled by the end of Year 2.

  • The default language for the secondary language requirement is German. Students who wish to choose languages other than German must submit a petition to the Division Head (either Musicology or Music Theory) by the end of the first session of Year 1. Students can fulfil the secondary language requirement in one of the following three ways:

    • Complete GER300H at U of T or its equivalent from another university, with a minimum grade of B+; or

    • Complete GER6000H; or

    • Pass a proficiency exam set by the Division.

  • Students are expected to complete the secondary language requirement by the end of Year 1.

  • The primary language requirement involves advanced reading proficiency in the chosen language. Students who wish to choose languages other than German must submit a petition to the Division Head (either Musicology or Music Theory) by the end of the first session of Year 1. Information on petitioning is available at the Faculty of Music Graduate Studies Office. Students can fulfil the secondary language requirement in one of the following three ways:

    • Complete a 400-level language course at U of T or its equivalent from another university, with a minimum grade of B+; or

    • Pass a proficiency exam set by the Division; or

    • Pass an exam in another graduate unit by arrangement through the Graduate Department of Music.

• Students are allowed two attempts at the in-house exam, after which they must take a language course at the appropriate MA or PhD level. All language requirements must be completed by the end of Year 3. Exceptions are granted only in extenuating circumstances and by petition.

• Students must prepare a thesis under the direction of an advisor and a committee and will defend it at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination. The thesis, including bibliography and appendices, should ideally be between 75,000 and 80,000 words in length. The department will not consider a thesis that exceeds 100,000 words.

• The residency requirement is three years, whereby students must be on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

Doctor of Philosophy (Field: Music Theory)

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of two routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate master's degree or 2) direct entry following completion a bachelor’s degree.

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Music's additional admission requirements stated below.

• The PhD in Music, Music Theory field is a research degree. Applicants must hold a master's degree with appropriate specialization (normally music theory or musicology), and must have an average standing of B+ or better.

• Applicants must submit an essay of approximately 3,000 words pertaining to music theory and which demonstrates their ability to handle a research problem.

• Applicants, whether from the University of Toronto or elsewhere, may be interviewed by the department.

• Two letters of reference commenting on the applicant's academic ability and promise.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete of a minimum of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) including:

  • 0.5 FCE: MUS1250H PhD Seminar (taken in the first session).

  • 0.5 FCE: MUS3997H⁰ Research in Music Theory.

  • 1.0 FCE in graduate-only seminars in music theory.

  • 1.0 FCE in electives, of which 0.5 FCE may be taken outside of musicology, ethnomusicology, and music theory (either in the Graduate Department of Music or another graduate unit). With approval from the CPA committee, one 0.5 FCE course may be deferred to the first session of Year 2.

  • Coursework should be completed during Year 1 with an average grade of at least A–. The exception is MUS3997H⁰ Research in Music Theory, which lays the groundwork for the field examination and dissertation: this course must be started at the beginning of the second session of Year 1 and completed by the end of the first session of Year 2.

  • Students may be required to take additional courses or acquire other skills to meet the needs of their proposed subjects of study.

  • A course and program advising (CPA) committee will review course selections. The CPA committee will ensure course selections meet the requirements of the program and are appropriate to the field.

• A set of three (written) comprehensive exams in (1) history of the field; (2) current issues in the field; and (3) repertoire and analysis, to be taken at the beginning of Year 2.

  • Students are permitted two attempts to complete each exam. A second attempt must take place at the beginning of the second session. If the second attempt is unsuccessful, the department will recommend termination of the student's program.

• Two research languages in addition to English are required: one secondary and one primary. The goal is to have all language requirements fulfilled by the end of Year 2.

  • The secondary language requirement is the same as the MA language requirement. The default language for the secondary language requirement is German. Students who wish to choose languages other than German must submit a petition to the Division Head (either Musicology or Music Theory) by the end of the first session of Year 1. Students can fulfil the secondary language requirement in one of the following three ways:

    • Complete GER300H at U of T or its equivalent from another university, with a minimum grade of B+; or

    • Complete GER6000H; or

    • Pass a proficiency exam set by the Division.

  • Students who have fulfilled the MA language requirement at U of T may count this as the secondary language or use it as a stepping stone towards the primary language. Students are expected to complete the secondary language requirement by the end of Year 1.

  • The primary language requirement involves advanced reading proficiency in the chosen language. Students who wish to choose languages other than German must submit a petition to the Division Head (either Musicology or Music Theory) by the end of the first session of Year 1. Information on petitioning is available at the Faculty of Music Graduate Studies Office. Students can fulfil the primary language requirement in one of the following three ways:

    • Complete a 400-level language course at U of T or its equivalent from another university, with a minimum grade of B+; or

    • Pass a proficiency exam set by the Division; or

    • Pass an exam in another graduate unit by arrangement through the Graduate Department of Music.

• Students are allowed two attempts at the in-house exam, after which they must take a language course at the appropriate MA or PhD level. All language requirements must be completed by the end of Year 3. Exceptions are granted only in extenuating circumstances and by petition.

• Students must prepare a thesis under the direction of an advisor and a committee and will defend it at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination. The thesis, including bibliography and appendices, should ideally be between 75,000 and 80,000 words in length. The department will not consider a thesis that exceeds 100,000 words.

• The residency requirement is two years, whereby students must be on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Music's additional admission requirements stated below.

• The PhD in Music, Music Theory field is a research degree. Exceptional students may be admitted directly to the doctoral stream with an appropriate four-year University of Toronto bachelor's degree (normally in music theory or musicology), or its equivalent from a recognized university, with at least an A– average in courses.

• Applicants must submit an essay of approximately 3,000 words pertaining to music theory and which demonstrates their ability to handle a research problem.

• Applicants, whether from the University of Toronto or elsewhere, may be interviewed by the department.

• Two letters of reference commenting on the applicant's academic ability and promise.

Program Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • 3.0 FCEs at the graduate level in Year 1 with a minimum average of A–. The exception is MUS3997H⁰ Research in Music Theory, which lays the groundwork for the field examination and dissertation: this course must be started at the beginning of the second session of Year 1 and completed by the end of the first session of Year 2.

  • An intermediate-level language exam in Year 1. All language requirements must be completed by Year 3.

  • Following successful completion of Year 1, students must then complete all program requirements of the four-year PhD program.

  • 0.5 FCE: MUS1250H PhD Seminar, taken in the first session of Year 2.

  • 0.5 FCE: MUS3997H⁰ Research in Music Theory.

  • 1.0 FCE in graduate-only seminars in music theory.

  • 1.0 FCE in electives, of which 0.5 FCE may be taken outside of musicology, ethnomusicology, and music theory (either in the Graduate Department of Music or another graduate unit). With approval from the CPA committee, one 0.5 FCE course may be deferred to the first session of Year 2.

  • Students may be required to take additional courses or acquire other skills to meet the needs of their proposed subjects of study.

  • A course and program advising (CPA) committee will review course selections. The CPA committee will ensure course selections meet the requirements of the program and are appropriate to the field.

• A set of three (written) comprehensive exams in (1) history of the field; (2) current issues in the field; and (3) repertoire and analysis, to be taken at the beginning of Year 3.

  • Students are permitted two attempts to complete each exam. A second attempt must take place at the beginning of the second session. If the second attempt is unsuccessful, the department will recommend termination of the student's program.

• Two research languages in addition to English are required: one secondary and one primary. The goal is to have all language requirements fulfilled by the end of Year 2.

  • The default language for the secondary language requirement is German. Students who wish to choose languages other than German must submit a petition to the Division Head (either Musicology or Music Theory) by the end of the first session of Year 1. Students can fulfil the secondary language requirement in one of the following three ways:

    • Complete GER300H at U of T or its equivalent from another university, with a minimum grade of B+; or

    • Complete GER6000H; or

    • Pass a proficiency exam set by the Division.

  • Students are expected to complete the secondary language requirement by the end of Year 1.

  • The primary language requirement involves advanced reading proficiency in the chosen language. Students who wish to choose languages other than German must submit a petition to the Division Head (either Musicology or Music Theory) by the end of the first session of Year 1. Information on petitioning is available at the Faculty of Music Graduate Studies Office. Students can fulfil the primary language requirement in one of the following three ways:

    • Complete a 400-level language course at U of T or its equivalent from another university, with a minimum grade of B+; or

    • Pass a proficiency exam set by the Division; or

    • Pass an exam in another graduate unit by arrangement through the Graduate Department of Music.

• Students are allowed two attempts at the in-house exam, after which they must take a language course at the appropriate MA or PhD level. All language requirements must be completed by the end of Year 3. Exceptions are granted only in extenuating circumstances and by petition.

• Students must prepare a thesis under the direction of an advisor and a committee and will defend it at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination. The thesis, including bibliography and appendices, should ideally be between 75,000 and 80,000 words in length. The department will not consider a thesis that exceeds 100,000 words.

• The residency requirement is three years, whereby students must be on campus full-time and consequently in geographical proximity to be able to participate fully in the University activities associated with the program.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years