PhD in Music - Music Studies in Philadelphia United States | University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania's Music Studies graduate program caters to students aiming to engage in pioneering research, produce exceptional scholarly work, and hone teaching abilities for academic careers in music, while also supporting those exploring professional pathways outside academia. Faculty members employ diverse methodologies from ethnomusicology, sound studies, musicology, and music theory across various research initiatives. Rather than reinforcing traditional disciplinary boundaries, the program fosters dynamic interactions between these fields. This interdisciplinary approach shapes both the curriculum and the department's vibrant colloquium series. The flexible graduate curriculum allows students to tailor their studies to their dissertation needs, combining music department courses with opportunities to enroll in seminars across Penn's campus and at partner institutions like Princeton, Yale, and Columbia. Regular colloquia, workshops, performances, and presentations by students and faculty facilitate rich discussions about musical practice and scholarship. Faculty research and teaching specialties include: Archives and Material Culture, Sound and Political Studies, Conflict and Healing Processes, Gender and Embodiment Studies, Global Medieval/Renaissance Studies, Global South Perspectives, Heritage and Memory Studies, Biological and Artistic Forms, Opera and Performance Theory, Race and Imperial Studies, and Religious and Ritual Practices. The Department also provides a Ph.D. program in musical composition.