The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is awarded primarily for completion of coursework and scholarly research satisfactorily described in a dissertation. It is assumed that the recipient of this degree is not only well versed in the subject matter and techniques of music and instruction--their theories and practices, but also has demonstrated breadth of interest and originality of outlook which indicates real promise of success in research and pedagogy. All work leading to the degree is subject to the standards for scholarly work established by the Graduate College, the School of Music, and three members of the student’s Supervisory Committee.

Residence Requirements

The purpose of the residence requirement at the doctoral level is to ensure that each student has ample opportunity and encouragement to participate fully in the musical life of the School of Music. This involves not only attending classes, lessons, and ensemble rehearsals, but also attending concerts, recitals, lectures, and symposia sponsored by the School and the University of Washington as well as engaging in regular, informal exchanges with other students and faculty. A period of two years is strongly recommended by the academic faculty as a minimum residency in order to complete coursework necessary for exams. During the terms of ten-credit enrollment the student must participate as an active member of the academic community by being present in the School of Music and on the broader University campus facilities for a substantial period of at least three days per week.

Supervisory Committee

By the completion of 10 credits, the student should select a major professor from whom to seek guidance on his or her program of study. This major professor is designated as Chair of the Supervisory Committee, and will guide the student in the selection of courses as well as in preparing for the general examinations, professional presentations, and of course, the dissertation. A Supervisory Committee consists of two additional School of Music faculty members, and a Graduate School Representative (GSR) from another department or school within the University of Washington.

It is the student’s responsibility to formalize this committee by informing the graduate advisor in the School of Music Advising Office. An official Graduate School form will be prepared and distributed to members of the Supervisory Committee for signatures indicating their acceptance.

Coursework

During the time of residency, the Ph.D. student is expected to enroll in graduate seminars in music education and other courses as determined in consultation with the Chair of the Supervisory Committee.

Coursework In Research

Research courses prepare the student for thinking objectively, critically, and analytically about music instruction. Various modes of inquiry are addressed in the Mused 501, 502, 503 research sequence, along with matters of theory, design, procedures and analysis of data collection, and data interpretation. Mused 575, Seminar in Music Education Research, is required for all enrolled Ph.D. students as a means of sharpening research and critical/analytical skills. A basic statistics course is recommended as well (for example, EDPSY 490). In addition, through consultation with the Supervisory Chair, the student is advised to take courses which will assist in the development of skills necessary for conducting original research in music instruction. These courses include EDPSY 593, Experimental Design and Analysis, EDPSY 587, Qualitative Methods in Educational Research, MUSIC 511, Seminar in Field and Laboratory Methods, MUHST 500, Seminar in Methods of Music Research, and other research methods and design courses in music, education, psychology, anthropology, and sociology.

Cognate Studies Coursework

Beyond the coursework taken in music instruction and learning, the student is expected to specialize in one or two areas within music (including conducting, ethnomusicology, music history, music theory, performance, music science, and music education/teacher education), and in a selected cognate area outside of music (such as anthropology, dance, drama, education curriculum and instruction, educational psychology, philosophy, psychology, sociology, linguistics, and special education). The selection of cognate areas will reflect the student’s interests, needs, and future emphases in research and instruction, and is guided by the Chair of the Supervisory Committee.

Transfer Of Course Credits

Credits received from other approved institutions will be accepted for the doctoral program in music education according to their relevance to the degree program as a whole. The student must consult with the Chair of the Supervisory Committee to determine which courses may transfer into the program. Work taken off campus following formal admission to the University of Washington must have prior written approval of the student’s Chair in order to be considered applicable to the doctoral program.

General Examinations

Every doctoral student must pass the general examinations (written and oral). These examinations, in which the student demonstrates mastery of selected topic areas within core studies in Music Education as well as the selected Major and Minor Cognate areas, reflect the student’s comprehensive knowledge of issues that pertain to music and music education. Unlike course exams which are based upon content provided by the professor, graduate examinations are based on topics identified and prepared as papers by the graduate student, with assistance of members of the Supervisory Committee.

It is helpful to be aware of the general examinations from the beginning of study in the graduate program, so that the exams become a natural outgrowth of graduate coursework. Each of the courses that are taken may supply one or more topics of special interest to the student, some of which may be selected for additional personal exploration and mastery. Students are encouraged to develop topics while they are engaged in formal coursework.

Doctoral students are expected to prepare between 15 to 18 topics, several of which can be focused on the topics selected for the dissertation. Progress toward the general examinations involves the review of the pertinent literature in order to prepare the topic papers that demonstrate the student’s comprehensive understanding of the issues. The written and oral examinations are the culmination of this process. Examples of a fully developed list of topics, as well as several topic papers, are found within this handbook.

Following successful completion of coursework and the student’s preparation of topic papers, the general examinations are scheduled. Members of the Supervisory Committee should be presented with the student’s complete list of topics, as well as pertinent topic papers, at least two weeks in advance of the written examination. The written examination may be scheduled over a period of several days, and may involve also the summary and critique of a dissertation or research study. Upon successful completion of the written examination, a two-hour oral examination is scheduled.

Advancement To Candidacy

Advancement to candidacy is based upon successful completion of the general examinations.

Professional Presentations

In addition to the general examinations, the doctoral student is also expected to present two professional clinic-demonstrations, research presentations, or lecture-recitals on one or more of the selected and approved topics. Presentations may be scheduled at state, regional, and national conferences of such groups as the Music Educators National Conference, the American Choral Directors Association, the College Music Society, or other approved professional organizations. The student should consult with members of the Supervisory Committee for guidance in the preparation of the presentation. If no member of the Committee can be present at the presentation, arrangements should be made to videotape the event.

Dissertation

The Ph.D. program in Music Education requires a dissertation, a dissertation abstract, and a final oral examination on the dissertation. The dissertation must constitute a distinct contribution to knowledge and should exhibit on the part of the candidate evidence of outstanding ability in research and in the organization of material. It is written under the supervision of the candidate’s Supervisory Committee Chair, and must be approved by the Supervisory Committee before the candidate may take the final examination.

The final oral examination includes the subject covered by the dissertation and the special field in which the dissertation is written, with particular attention to the recent and significant developments in that field. The examining committee must include, in addition to members of the student’s Supervisory Committee, a Graduate School Representative (GSR) from outside of the School of Music. A vote of approval of the final oral examining committee must be unanimous.