PhD in Composition

Andrew NoseworthyAndrew Noseworthy, PhD Candidate (Composition)


“The graduate students in composition get quite a few opportunities and quite a few chances to have their music read and performed by professionals.”

 Program Requirements

  • Composition (Music 9558a/b/y), Composition II (Music 9659a/b/y), and 4 half courses in composition and related subjects
  • Comprehensive Examination
  • Dissertation Proposal
  • Dissertation Proposal Defense
  • Portfolio/Recital Requirement (concurrent with Dissertation Proposal Defense)
  • Dissertation and Oral Defense

Each PhD student will have a PhD Advisory Committee, which will be responsible for approving the student's course selection and comprehensive examination.

The dissertation proposal and dissertation itself will be written under the supervision of a dissertation supervisor and second reader.

Timeline for Progression

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4
Term
1		 Term
2		 Term
3		 Term
4		 Term
5		 Term
6		 Term
7		 Term
8		 Term
9		 Term
10		 Term
11		 Term
12
4 half courses
(or equivalent)		 2 half courses
(or equivalent)		 Comps Dissertation Proposal Defence Dissertation Research
and Writing
Dissertation Proposal Development
(new milestone)

Notes:

  • Course requirements must be completed in years 1 and 2, by the end of Term 5. Conceptualizing and developing a dissertation proposal begins in Term 3. A draft dissertation proposal should be completed in Term 7 with the approval of the dissertation supervisor and second reader. The Dissertation Proposal Defense should take place as early as possible in Year 3.
  • The chart does not show the completion of language requirements, where applicable.
  • This chart does not include the application for ethics approval (where applicable). The student and supervisor must plan accordingly.

 

Recently Completed Dissertations

Meet our Doctoral Students