Doctor of Philosophy in Music, Emphasis Ethnomusicology (PhD)

A Master's degree or equivalent

The entering student should have completed a Master's degree or its equivalent, including a thesis. Exceptionally, however, a student who has completed 12 credits in the first year of an M.A. program may be offered admission directly into the Ph.D. (without completing the M.A. thesis) if the student has demonstrated sufficient mastery of graduate-level material and sufficient development as a scholarly writer. Students who wish to transfer from a master’s to a doctoral program must have completed one year of study in the master’s program with a minimum 80% average in 12 credits, of which at least nine credits must be at the 500 level or above and at least nine credits must be at 80% or above. The student must show clear evidence of research ability. In either case, the following entrance requirements apply: The entering student should have: a) completed Music 520 (Introduction to Music Research) or its equivalent; b) completed at least two graduate seminars in ethnomusicological theory, method, and/or transcription (the equivalents of Music 529 and 531); and c) demonstrated reading or fieldwork proficiency in one language beyond the student's first language (see the explanatory notes to the M.A. in Ethnomusicology).

Take the General Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and request that your scoring report be forwarded to the School of Music using University of British Columbia's institution code 0965 along with department code 2302 (for Music History, Musicology, and Theory). Note: UBC graduates within 3 years prior to application are exempt from this requirement. Note: Some applicants, especially those whose first language is not English, may request an exemption from this requirement. Please submit a request and explanation in writing, leaving sufficient time to take the GRE if your petition is denied. Submit one or more writing samples that demonstrate substantial prior training in ethnomusicology. Submit a statement of your research interest, such as proposed culture area to be examined and particular approach (e.g., social, historical, analytic, etc.) A transcription exercise will be required of all applicants to the program. This exercise will become available on the ethnomusicology page the first or second weekend after the deadline for the application. Applicants will be contacted by the department with further instructions. Most students will use standard Western notation, but modified Western notation or other systems are acceptable. Contact: Dr. Michael Tenzer (Tel: 604-822-3405)