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Here Are the 10 Best Doctorate in Music Programs in the US

The U.S. is home to some of the best music programs in the world, especially doctorate degrees. In general, students have two paths open to them: the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) or PhD.

The DMA program typically takes around four full-time years to complete and concentrates primarily on performance, composition, or conducting. To graduate, DMA students must complete a musical thesis, such as a performance or lecture-recital.

PhD programs in music also take about four years, but they’re more teaching and research-oriented. These programs are perfect for those interested in becoming professors in music theory, musicology, or ethnomusicology. PhD students must write and defend a dissertation in order to graduate.

These degrees are available at both conservatories and universities. (Most liberal arts colleges, since they focus on undergraduate education, don’t offer DMAs or PhDs.) Which program you choose, and where, should depend on the kind of student life and environment you prefer as well as the specific way you want to explore music.

For example, if you want to learn alongside other aspiring performers and travel the country teaching your instrument, a DMA at a conservatory would be better suited to your goals.

The cost of attending is usually offset by teaching assistantships or stipends, some of which can be very generous. There are even some tuition-free doctorate programs.

Below we’ll discuss 10 of the best doctorate programs in music, including their local ensemble affiliations, tuition costs, and everything else that makes them stand out from other doctorate programs.

Rice University Shepherd School of Music (Houston, TX)

The DMA program at the Shepherd School of Music is one of the smallest university-based music schools in the country, with 350 total students. Admission is extremely selective, ensuring a high level of musicianship among both undergraduates and graduate students.

The school is deeply affiliated with professional ensembles in Houston, like the Houston Symphony and Houston Grand Opera. DMA students will have the chance to work and learn alongside professionals in the field and get involved in the local Houston community on a greater level.

In fact, the Shepherd School and the Houston Symphony launched a new pilot program in 2021: The Shepherd School-Houston Symphony Brown Foundation Community-Embedded Musician Fellowship. The program aims to expand music education for underserved minority students in Houston, and it’s part of the school’s ongoing effort to diversify music education, especially classical music.

Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (Bloomington, IN)

The Jacobs School of Music is not only one of the largest music schools in the country with 1,600 students but also home to the largest academic music library in the world. Its facilities — 200 studios, labs, and practice rooms, and four performance halls — are reason enough to compete for a spot at Jacobs.

Because of its size and venue capacity, Jacobs is able to stage over a thousand performances a year, including seven operas and three ballets. Students can audition for numerous big band, choral, and orchestra ensembles, many of which earn renown worldwide. For example, the Philharmonic Orchestra has performed at Carnegie Hall in New York and the Bastille Opera House in Paris.

All Doctor of Music (DM) and PhD applicants are automatically considered for merit-based financial assistance, including the Graduate Tuition Award, Artistic Excellence Award, Jacobs Fellowship, and more. Students can also get a cash stipend and teaching assistantship positions that cover nearly full tuition.

Harvard University (Cambridge, MA)

PhD students at Harvard get up to six years of guaranteed funding in the form of stipends, teaching assistantships, and grants, covering tuition as well as living expenses. There are also extra funds for summer research and additional fellowships.

The program is small but very selective and prestigious. Only a handful of students are admitted every year, in the following areas of focus: musicology, ethnomusicology, theory, composition, and creative practice and critical inquiry. Harvard doesn’t have a performance faculty, but its resources for research capabilities are extensive, including a microfilm library of primary source materials, an archive of world music recordings, and a collection of early instruments.

Students interested in performance can get involved in other local university ensembles (Boston University, Berklee, New England Conservatory) or professional institutions (Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Public Library).

New England Conservatory of Music (Boston, MA)

NEC is the oldest independent music conservatory in the U.S. and one of the most prestigious in the world. Only eight to 12 new DMA students are accepted each year.

Since NEC is filled with top-notch musicians in every area of music, students here can find vast collaboration opportunities. In addition to DMAs in instrumental performance, the school also offers a DMA in music theory, with concentrations in pedagogy, composition, performance, or analysis.

Many NEC faculty are affiliated with the Boston Symphony or have established professional careers on stage. This includes the Borromeo String Quartet, NEC’s quartet-in-residence.

In terms of performance facilities, Jordan Hall is one of the best concert halls in the country. A block from Boston Symphony Hall, it seats over 1,000 and is the only conservatory building in the country with a National Historic Landmark designation.

University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance (Ann Arbor, MI)

Studying at SMTD means getting a multidisciplinary education in the performing arts. With 12 performance venues and eight distinct buildings, music students share facilities with actors and dancers. Music students, in particular, can join a variety of bands and orchestras, including a Javanese gamelan ensemble. 

Almost all DMA and PhD students receive full funding for full-time study. This includes health benefits and student assistantship stipends. Students can also apply to be Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs), who teach courses while assisting faculty members in exchange for a full or partial tuition waiver. There are additional financial packages to fund research, travel, and performance. 

Cornell University (Ithaca, NY)

Getting a PhD in musicology at Cornell means five years of guaranteed funding, including funding for four summers. The breakdown consists of two years of fellowship and three years of teaching assistantships.

Cornell also offers four years of funding for their Composition and Performance Practice DMAs, including at least three summers. DMAs usually get two years of fellowship and two years of teaching assistantships.

These are three separate programs, but the students take seminars and attend symposia alongside one another as well as teach many of the same undergraduates. Thus, the department promotes an interdisciplinary approach to music that is highly customizable.

With the guidance of faculty members, graduate students develop their own course of study, which must include a minor subject of study. The Graduate Minor can be another music specialization (theory, musicology, ethnomusicology, performance, composition) or another discipline entirely (art history, mathematics, history, linguistics, psychology).

University of Southern California Thornton School of Music (Los Angeles, CA)

Not only is the Thornton School of Music one of the U.S.’s premier music institutions, but its location at the heart of Los Angeles makes it the perfect place to play and learn music in all its forms.

Whether you want to teach music in underserved communities, play in a jazz club, connect with like-minded musicians, join a local orchestra, or some combination of these, USC and the greater LA area offer limitless opportunities. 

Academically, USC offers a PhD in Musicology and a DMA in three different divisions: Classical Performance and Composition, Contemporary Music, and Research and Scholarly Studies. USC is primarily known for its specializations in orchestral studies, jazz, early music, composition, opera, and music industry.

Many faculty are affiliated with the Los Angeles Philharmonic or have had illustrious careers as solo performers, including violinist Midori Goto.

The Juilliard School (New York, NY)

The C.V. Starr Doctoral Fellows program allows students to pursue the DMA degree tuition-free for up to five years.

Juilliard produces some of the world’s best performers, so the school’s only doctorate program is the DMA. This is a highly rigorous program that requires students to give three public recitals and one lecture-recital by the end of the third year. On top of that, DMA students must write and defend a dissertation in order to graduate.

Many of Juilliard’s faculty members are affiliated with the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and renowned ensembles like the Juilliard String Quartet and the American Brass Quintet. Some have also had successful solo careers, such as pianist Emanuel Ax and violinist David Chan.

Notable alumni include violinist Itzhak Perlman, soprano Renee Fleming, and composers Miles Davis and Philip Glass.

Princeton University (Princeton, NJ)

Princeton’s PhD programs in composition and musicology are completely free and include a 12-month stipend for all five years. One to two of these years must be supplemented by teaching assistantship positions, and students can apply for additional research funding or summer language study. Students are also eligible for sixth-year funding if necessary.

Although Princeton does not have a performance PhD or DMA, its research opportunities for musicology, music theory, and composition students abound. Unlike many PhD programs in music, academics are not limited to western classical music. Composers and musicologists are encouraged to explore modern music as much as the music that came before it, providing a well-rounded, readily applicable education. 

Notable alumni include composer Julia Wolfe ‘12, whose work has been commissioned by the Munich Chamber Orchestra, and producer Nathan Michel ‘07, whose band Hospitality has been featured on NPR and Wired .

Yale University School of Music (New Haven, CT)

Yale’s school of music is the only designated music school, instead of department, in an Ivy League.

The tuition-free, five-year DMA program is highly selective, with an acceptance rate below 10%. It is structured by a unique two-year residency on campus followed by a three-year dissertation period in the field. Depending on the student’s chosen area — composition, conducting, or performance — students must use this time to work and learn in a professional capacity, guided by faculty. This could mean performing in traditional recitals, conducting orchestras, getting research published, or having one’s own compositions performed by local ensembles. 

By the end of the degree, DMA students will be well-versed in all aspects of music: history, theory, composition, and performance.

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Doctor of Music Performance Programs in America

1-25 of 35 results

Yale School of Music

• New Haven, CT ·
• Yale University ·
• Graduate School

Blue checkmark. Yale University, Graduate School, NEW HAVEN, CT.

Bienen School of Music

• Evanston, IL ·
• Northwestern University ·

Northwestern University, Graduate School, EVANSTON, IL.

Thornton School of Music

• Los Angeles, CA ·
• University of Southern California ·

University of Southern California, Graduate School, LOS ANGELES, CA.

• Sponsored Find Student Loan Options
• Masters in Music Performance Programs
• Masters in Music Theory and Composition Programs

University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance

• Ann Arbor, MI ·
• University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ·
• · Rating 5 out of 5   1 review

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Graduate School, ANN ARBOR, MI. 1 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says as a masters student in the Early Keyboards program, I have a wonderful level of freedom to pursue my interests while being held to a high standard, all while being regularly reminded and educated on... Read 1 reviews.

The Peabody Institute

• Baltimore, MD ·
• Johns Hopkins University ·

Johns Hopkins University, Graduate School, BALTIMORE, MD. 1 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says I am a prospective Student who will be attending in the fall of 1024. So far, my experience with Peabody has been excellent. Read 1 reviews.

Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development

• New York, NY ·
• New York University ·
• · Rating 4.35 out of 5   31 reviews

Blue checkmark. New York University, Graduate School, NEW YORK, NY. 31 Niche users give it an average review of 4.4 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says The faculty are diverse in cultural background, education, race, gender and are on your side. The students are also very diverse and are allowed to create the best pathway to achieve what they are... Read 31 reviews.

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College of Fine Arts - Boston University

• Boston, MA ·
• Boston University ·

Boston University, Graduate School, BOSTON, MA.

Mead Witter School of Music

• Madison, WI ·
• University of Wisconsin-Madison ·

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Graduate School, MADISON, WI.

Frost School of Music

• Coral Gables, FL ·
• University of Miami ·
• · Rating 4.8 out of 5   5 reviews

University of Miami, Graduate School, CORAL GABLES, FL. 5 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says Frost is an amazing school! The campus is beautiful, ALL of the voice teachers have had long performance careers (including the Met) and are compassionate, excellent voice teachers with an extensive... Read 5 reviews.

Eastman School of Music

• Rochester, NY ·
• University of Rochester ·
• · Rating 4.67 out of 5   6 reviews

Blue checkmark. University of Rochester, Graduate School, ROCHESTER, NY. 6 Niche users give it an average review of 4.7 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says Eastman has an incredible faculty and performance opportunities! It is the best place to grow academically and emotionally. I made some of the best friends I've ever had just this first year and... Read 6 reviews.

University of Washington College of Arts & Sciences

• Seattle, WA ·
• University of Washington ·

University of Washington, Graduate School, SEATTLE, WA.

College of Music - Michigan State University

• East Lansing, MI ·
• Michigan State University ·

Michigan State University, Graduate School, EAST LANSING, MI.

• Masters in Conducting Programs
• Masters in Musical instruments Programs

Florida State University College of Music

• Tallahassee, FL ·
• Florida State University ·
• · Rating 5 out of 5   3 reviews

Florida State University, Graduate School, TALLAHASSEE, FL. 3 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars. Featured Review: Niche User says I loved being at the FSU COM! It provided challenges that pushed me to become a stronger musician and future educator (at the time), and connected me to other professionals that have become valuable... Read 3 reviews.

UC San Diego Division of Arts and Humanities

• La Jolla, CA ·
• University of California - San Diego ·

University of California - San Diego, Graduate School, LA JOLLA, CA.

Jacobs School of Music

• Bloomington, IN ·
• Indiana University - Bloomington ·
• · Rating 4.83 out of 5   6 reviews

Blue checkmark. Indiana University - Bloomington, Graduate School, BLOOMINGTON, IN. 6 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says The coursework for the Master of Music has been very fulfilling and focused. The academic courses at IU are challenging but I feel that they are geared toward preparing students for their career in... Read 6 reviews.

Texas Christian University College of Fine Arts

• Fort Worth, TX ·
• Texas Christian University ·

Texas Christian University, Graduate School, FORT WORTH, TX.

Mason Gross School of the Arts

• New Brunswick, NJ ·
• Rutgers University–New Brunswick ·

Blue checkmark. Rutgers University–New Brunswick, Graduate School, NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ.

Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts

• Norman, OK ·
• University of Oklahoma ·

University of Oklahoma, Graduate School, NORMAN, OK.

University of Cincinnati College - Conservatory of Music

• Cincinnati, OH ·
• University of Cincinnati ·
• · Rating 4.75 out of 5   8 reviews

Blue checkmark. University of Cincinnati, Graduate School, CINCINNATI, OH. 8 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars. Featured Review: Master's Student says CCM is full of fantastic students who are incredibly talented and driven. The faculty that I have interacted with are all very personable and help the student succeed. The programs are very... Read 8 reviews.

School of Music - University of South Carolina

• Columbia, SC ·
• University of South Carolina ·

University of South Carolina, Graduate School, COLUMBIA, SC.

University of Connecticut School of Fine Arts

• Storrs, CT ·
• University of Connecticut ·

University of Connecticut, Graduate School, STORRS, CT.

University of Colorado - Boulder College of Music

• Boulder, CO ·
• University of Colorado Boulder ·

University of Colorado Boulder, Graduate School, BOULDER, CO.

University of Oregon School of Music and Dance

• Eugene, OR ·
• University of Oregon ·

University of Oregon, Graduate School, EUGENE, OR.

Boyer College of Music and Dance

• Philadelphia, PA ·
• Temple University ·

Temple University, Graduate School, PHILADELPHIA, PA.

College of Arts and Sciences - Stony Brook University, SUNY

• Stony Brook, NY ·
• Stony Brook University ·
• · Rating 3 out of 5   3 reviews

Stony Brook University, Graduate School, STONY BROOK, NY. 3 Niche users give it an average review of 3 stars. Featured Review: Doctoral Student says In the Physics Department, the classes are wide-ranging and generally well taught. They are challenging and require the amount of effort expected of a very good graduate education. However, the... Read 3 reviews.

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How to Apply PhD, Music Performance and Composition: Performers

Combining intensive performance with related academic study, this doctoral program prepares accomplished musicians for a career in professional music performance or music research. You will study closely with our artist-faculty and develop areas of specialization for your performance or teaching career.   

A concentration is also available for  composers .

Official Degree Title

Application Deadline

Admissions Information

Program Information

Program Contacts:

Brass Studies [email protected] Percussion Studies [email protected] String Studies [email protected] Woodwind Studies [email protected] Jazz Studies [email protected]

Admissions Requirement

Basic competence in music theory and history is a prerequisite for all graduate degree programs in music. Entering graduate students are required to complete a music theory entrance exam and meet history coursework requirements. Based on exam results and review of the student's transcript, up to 8 points of remedial music theory and/or history coursework may be required. Remedial courses cannot be used to meet degree requirements. View more information about department music theory and history entrance requirements .

Candidates to this program must have a master's degree.

How to Apply

These instructions and requirements are for all applicants. If you are not a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, please read the  special instructions for international applicants .

Your application will require the following items. The following are acceptable document types for uploads: .pdf, .jpeg, .jpg, .gif, .tiff, .png, .doc, .docx, and bitmap.

1. Prepare Your Application

You are required to upload a copy of your most recent résumé or curriculum vitae as part of your application.

Statement of Purpose

As part of your application, you are required to upload a statement of purpose that discusses your ideas for doctoral research, their context and potential impact, and argues how your expertise and interests make you the best candidate for pursuing this research. Please also identify the faculty member(s) that you are most interested in working with. The name of this faculty member, together with your name, should be included on the header of the statement. Maximum length: four pages. 

Letters of Recommendation

Submit  three  letters of recommendation. Be sure to request them well in advance of the deadline. Read  detailed instructions .

Scholarly Writing

Please upload to the Writing Sample section of the application three research papers or writing samples that best represent your ability to research and write effectively. Ideally, one sample should address your proposed area of specialization.

For specific audition requirements and how to schedule an audition date after you have applied, contact your area of focus.

Brass:   All applicants are required to complete the audition form to sign up for a live audition. If you are unable to attend a live audition, please be sure to select the appropriate option and submit your video recording via Get Acceptd  

Audition dates: February 22, 2025 & February 23, 2025

Please prepare the following for your audition:

Trumpet: o Exposition from Hummel or Haydn Trumpet Concertos o A movement from a solo work of your choice o One musically contrasting etude of choice o Five to eight contrasting orchestral excerpts from the standard audition repertoire o Major scales covering one to two octaves if possible o Possible major and minor scales in all keys, sight-reading, and transposition Horn: o Exposition of a Mozart or Strauss concerto o One movement of a standard solo work o Five to eight contrasting orchestral excerpts from the standard audition o Possible sight-reading and all major and minor scales Tenor Trombone: o One technical etude by from one of the following books by Bitsch, Blazhevich or an equivalent in difficulty o One movement from a major solo work from the standard solo literature. o Five to eight contrasting orchestral excerpts from the standard audition o Possible sight-reading and all major and minor scales Bass Trombone: o Two contrasting etudes showing the applicant’s level of technical and musical advancement. o One movement of a solo work from the standard solo literature. o Five to eight contrasting orchestral excerpts from the standard audition repertoire o Possible sight-reading and all major and minor scales Euphonium & Tuba: o One movement from two solo works from the standard solo literature. o 6-8 contrasting orchestral excerpts from the standard audition repertoire (tuba candidates only) o One technical etude that showcases the applicant’s level of technical and musical proficiency (euphonium applicants only) o Major scales covering one to two octaves if possible o Possible sight-reading

Jazz:  There is no live audition for the PhD application in Jazz as the degree is research-based. We ask that applicants schedule a Zoom or phone interview with  Dr. David Schroeder  to discuss the application requirements, including portfolio of creative work. Additionally, Dr. Schroeder will discuss the PhD curriculum, including academic course work, and the dissertation process.

Percussion:  Contact Jonathan Haas,  [email protected]  and Sean Statser,  [email protected]  to arrange your audition date and time (must be completed by January 22).

Piano:   The program in Piano Studies requires a pre-screening video to be submitted via GetAcceptd  , due no later than December 1. Selected candidates will be invited to a live audition and interview in mid-January 2025. For further information about the Ph.D., please contact Dr. Manuel Laufer, [email protected] .

For the pre-screening recording, please prepare a 60-minute free program showing technical, interpretive, and expressive strengths. Part of the repertoire should relate to a proposed area of research. The live audition should contain the same repertoire as the pre-screening video. 

Strings:  The program in String Studies requires a pre-screening video to be submitted via  GetAcceptd  which is due no later than December 1. Invitations to live auditions will be sent approximately 2 -3 weeks after the due date. For further information about the Ph.D., please contact Dr. Cyrus Beroukhim,  [email protected] .

Final auditions will be held on January 17, 2025.

Please prepare the following for your prescreen: 

• Violin, Viola, and Cello: a movement of Bach and a movement of a concerto
• Bass and Harp: two contrasting movements
• A complete concerto from the standard repertoire
• A complete sonata from the standard repertoire
• A complete Bach suite, sonata or partita 
• A work written during your lifetime or by a living composer

All works except the sonata must be memorized.

Vocal Performance:   You are required to submit audition materials to the portfolio section of the online application. The audition requirements for the Music Theatre and Classical Voice areas of focus are the same requirements as for the Master's programs. Contact Dr. Errik Hood, [email protected] for further details. 

Vocal Performance 2025 Audition Dates:

• Saturday, January 25, 2025 (10:00am-1:00pm)

Woodwinds: The program in Woodwind Studies requires a pre-screen video to be submitted via   GetAcceptd , that is due no later than December 1. Invitations to schedule a live audition will be sent no later than December 15. PhD live auditions and interviews will take place on February 1, 2025.  For further details please contact Dr. Meghan Bennett, [email protected]

Please prepare the following for your pre-screen:

Flute Two contrasting pieces

Oboe, Bassoon and Saxophone Two standard etudes of contrasting styles  Two standard orchestral excerpts

Clarinet Two contrasting pieces showing the applicant's level of technical and lyrical ability

Doublers One short etude on each of your doubles

Flute Three complete works (including a work from 20th/21st century) representing a variety of styles

Oboe, Bassoon and Saxophone Two movements of a sonata First or last movement from a concerto and/or other virtuosic solo

Clarinet A complete concerto (memorization encouraged but not mandatory) A contemporary work written after 1970 A work by a composer from underrepresented gender, racial, ethnic, or cultural heritages  5-6 orchestral excerpts

Doublers One movement from a sonata on primary instrument  One etude or excerpt on each of your doubles

Transcripts

Upload one official copy of transcripts from every postsecondary institution ( college/university ) you have attended or are attending.  Please note:  This includes transcripts from institutions where you received transfer credits or did not complete a degree.  Make sure to request an official copy of the transcript(s) in advance of the deadline.

Transfer Credits

We understand accepted transfer credits may be clearly listed on your degree awarding institution’s transcript. The Office of Graduate Admissions still requires a transcript from the initial credit-granting institution where you took the course(s). Delay in listing and uploading these transcripts can significantly delay the application review process.

Institutions Outside the US or Canada

If you completed or are completing a degree at an institution outside of the US or Canada, you are required to provide a WES or ECE international credentials evaluation. Please review our requirements for translation and a course-by-course evaluation of your transcripts.

See  detailed instructions on submitting transcripts .

Not required.

Proficiency in English

See  testing requirements .

Application

Start your application now

After you fill in and upload the required information, you can submit your completed application.  Your application must be completed, dated, electronically signed, and submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST of the stated deadline.

Application Fee

You will be prompted to pay a $75 application fee, payable by major credit card only. After submitting your payment, you will see your application status change from “saved” to “submitted.” Please print this screen for your records, as it confirms that your application has been successfully sent to our school. If you have problems submitting your payment, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions. Learn more about our  fee waiver policy .

Mailing Additional Items

If any application materials need to be mailed to our office, mail the materials to NYU Steinhardt, Office of Graduate Admissions, 82 Washington Square East, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10003-6680.  Please do not mail your materials in binders or folders. Any mailed materials must be  received by, not postmarked by, the stated deadline . Only completed applications will be considered and reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt of mailed materials.

3. Receive Your Admission Decision

You will be notified about your decision by email. Typically, decisions will start going out in late March or early April for fall enrollment. You may learn of your decision before or after this timeline.

Application Policies

Application deadlines are "in-office" deadlines, not postmark deadlines.  It is your responsibility to ensure that all materials are in the Office of Graduate Admissions by the appropriate deadline, and we reserve the right to return any application that arrives after the deadline. Only completed applications will be considered. Should a deadline fall on a weekend, the in-office deadline will be the next business day. We advise you to apply early.

Please check the online system to confirm that you have successfully submitted your application.  Due to the volume of applications and related materials received, the Office of Graduate Admissions will only contact you if your application was successfully submitted and is deemed incomplete because of missing required materials. Otherwise, you will hear from us when the admissions committee has made its decision.

Deferral policy:  NYU Steinhardt does not allow deferrals. Applicants who wish to be considered for a future semester must reapply by submitting a new application with all supporting materials, including letters of recommendations, by the application deadline.