PhD

Music
,

On Campus 90 cr

The Ph.D. program is offered with an area of emphasis in music education, piano pedagogy, or vocal pedagogy.

Description

The Glenn Korff School of Music boasts a comprehensive faculty and an accommodating array of facilities. Westbrook Music Building houses a music library containing approximately 55,000 books, scores, and periodicals; 18,000 recordings; and computer listening and video booths. The Glenn Korff School of Music also maintains a music computer lab, a state-of-the-art music technology research classroom equipped with computers and software for music instruction, composition, and notation.

The performance complex consists of the Lied Center for Performing Arts, with stage dimensions sufficient for major touring production companies, and the Kimball Recital Hall. 

Career Pathways

  • Collegiate Music Educator
  • PreK-12 Music Administrator
  • Studio Music Teacher

Specializations

  • Music Education
    Courses Credit Hours
    Research Tools (9 hrs)
    EDPS 859 – Statistical Methods 3
    Choose one of the following courses (3hrs)
    EDPS 941 – Intermediate Statistics – Experimental Methods 3
    EDPS 942 – Intermediate Statistics – Correlational Methods 3
    EDPS 972 – Multivariate Analysis 3
    Choose one of the following courses (3hrs)
    EDPS 900a – Correlational & Experimental Methods in Educational Research 3
    EDPS 900b – Single-Case Experimental Designs in Educational Research 3
    EDPS 900d – Survey Methods in Educational Research 3
    EDPS 900j – Historical Methods in Educational Research 3
    EDPS 935 – Seminar in Qualitative Research 3
    EDPS 936 – Mixed Methods Research 3
    Music Education Major Area/Seminar (30 hours)
    MUED 980 – Quantitative Research Techniques in Music 3
    EDPS 900k – Qualitative Approaches to Educational Research 3
    MUED 836 – Psychology and Sociology of Music 3
    MUED 843 – Introduction to Research in Music Education 3
    MUED 845 – Historical and Philosophical Foundations of American Music Education 3
    Choose ONE of the following courses (3 hours)
    MUED 928 – Seminar in the Curriculum and Teaching of Music 3
    MUED 838 – Inclusive Music Education 3
    Choose FOUR of the following courses (12 hours)
    MUED 989a – Doctoral Seminar: Music Learning and Cognition 3
    MUED 989b – Doctoral Seminar: Philosophy and Policy 3
    MUED 989e – Doctoral Seminar: Technology for Teaching, Research, and Outreach 3
    MUED 989j – Doctoral Seminar: Individual Differences in Music Learning 3
    MEUD 989k – Doctoral Seminar: Assessment in Music 3
    MUED 989L – Doctoral Seminar: Philosophy in Music 3
    Total 39

    Department

    Music

  • Piano Pedagogy
    Courses Credit Hours
    Piano Pedagogy Major Area (23 hours)
    MUAP 902 – Piano 12
    MUSR 998 – Recital 1
    MUSC 898 – Special Topics in Music: Public Teaching Demonstration 1
    MUSC 876 – Piano Literature 3
    Take 6 hours from the following courses
    MUSC 824 – Piano Pedagogy I: Foundations, Philosophies, & Theories 3
    MUSC 825 – Piano Pedagogy II: Approaches to Studio Teaching 3
    MUSC 826 – Piano Pedagogy III: Pedagogical Methods and Literature 3
    MUSC 996 – Special Problems: Seminar in Piano Pedagogy 3
    Research Tool & Doctoral Seminars (12 hrs)
    EDPS 859 – Statistical Methods 3
    MUED 980 – Quantitative Research Techniques in Music 3
    EDPS 900k – Qualitative Approaches to Educational Research 3
    Choose one of the following courses (3 hours)
    MUED 838 – Inclusive Music Education 3
    MUED 989a – Doctoral Seminar: Music Learning and Cognition 3
    MUED 989b – Doctoral Seminar: Philosophy and Policy 3
    MUED 989e – Doctoral Seminar: Technology for Teaching, Research, and Outreach 3
    MUED 989j – Doctoral Seminar: Individual Differences in Music Learning 3
    MEUD 989k – Doctoral Seminar: Assessment in Music 3
    MUED 989L – Doctoral Seminar: Philosophy in Music 3
    Total 38

    Department

    Music

  • Vocal Pedagogy
    Courses Credit Hours
    Vocal Pedagogy Major Area (33 hours)
    MUSC 870 – Introduction Vocal Pedagogy I 3
    MUSC 971 – The Science of Singing 3
    MUSC 894 – Music Internship: Voice Practicum 3
    SLPA 865 – Voice Disorders 2
    MUAP 901 – Applied Voice 18
    MUSC 872 – Art Song II 3
    MUSC 898 – Special Topics in Music: Public Teaching Demonstration 1
    MUSR 098 – Graduate Recital in Applied Music: Lecture Recital 0
    MUSC 898 – Special Topics in Music: Voice Research Colloquium (must take 6 times) 0
    Research Tool & Doctoral Seminars (12 hrs)
    EDPS 859 – Statistical Methods 3
    Choose 9 hours from the following courses
    MUED 980 – Quantitative Research Techniques in Music 3
    EDPS 900k – Qualitative Approaches to Educational Research 3
    SLPA 854 – Research Methodology in Speech Pathology and Audiology 3
    EDPS 941 – Intermediate Statistics: Experimental Methods 3
    EDPS 942 – Intermediate Statistics: Correlational Methods 3
    EDPS 972 – Multivariate Analysis 3
    MUED 843 – Introduction to Research in Music Education 3
    GERM 803 – Advanced Syntax and Stylistics in German 3
    FREN 803 – Advanced Grammar 3
    MUSC 898 – Special Topics in Music: Bibliography for Vocal Music Pedagogues 1
    MUSC 836 – Introduction to Graduate Studies in Music 2
    Total 45 hours

    Department

    Music

Applying for Admission

Standard requirements for all graduate programs

  • Application for Admission with $50 non-refundable application fee.
  • Transcripts (unofficial): Uploaded as part of application form.

    If International: Uploads must include all college- or university-level transcripts or mark sheets (records of courses and marks earned), with certificates, diplomas, and degrees plus certified English translations.

    After admission: Official documents are required from all students who are admitted and enroll. Photocopies of certified records are not acceptable. International students enrolled in other U.S. institutions may have certified copies of all foreign records sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies by their current school’s registrar office.

  • If applicant’s native language is not English, verification of English proficiency is required.
  • If applicant is not a US citizen and expects an F or J visa: financial information.
  • Applicants must also fulfill any additional requirements the department specifies at the time of application.

Additional requirements specific to this program

  • GRE

Refer to the Music Graduate Application Guide for full details.

  • Minimum English proficiency: Paper TOEFL 600, Internet TOEFL 100, IELTS 7.0.
  • Resume/CV
  • For Music Education specialization:
    • Resume/CV
    • Personal Statement: Statement of purpose.
    • Portfolio: Video Screening. First prepare your videos with content as described here and post them to a video-hosting platform (e.g. YouTube), then create a PDF with links to these videos and upload the PDF in this application's Portfolio upload slot. Video samples of teaching showing at least two different teaching settings, not to exceed 10 minutes. Include a brief narrative describing the context of the educational environment (i.e. class being taught, level of learners, goals and objectives, etc.).
    • Writing Samples: Can be copies of theses, articles, grants, etc.
    • Other Upload: Cover Letter of Application.
    • Interview: Applicants may be asked to complete an interview in person, by phone, or by video conference.
  • For Piano Pedagogy specialization:
    • Resume/CV
    • Personal Statement
    • Portfolio: Video Screening. First prepare your videos with content as described here and post them to a video-hosting platform (e.g. YouTube), then create a PDF with links to these videos and upload the PDF in this application's Portfolio upload slot. 1) Video Screening Playing: 3 contrasting piano pieces. 2) Video Screening Teaching: 15 minutes maximum, edited to highlight your excellence in piano teaching. It is preferable that you present a combination of private and group teaching, and that you include some presentation of new materials or skills to students.
    • Writing Sample: Minimum 10 pages. Academic paper, thesis, journal article, or grant proposal. This sample should demonstrate appropriate scholarly attribution using an accepted citation style. Applicants' essays will be subjected to random plagiarism software checks. Any evidence of plagiarism will result in the candidate's application portfolio being withdrawn from further consideration.
    • Other Upload: Cover Letter of Application.
    • Interview/audition: Applicants may be asked to complete an interview in person, by phone, or by video conference. Audition should be a minimum of 30 minutes in length and consist of 3 contrasting pieces from the standard piano repertoire performed by memory. Live audition is preferred. Applicants may be asked to complete an interview in person, by phone, or by video conference.
  • For Vocal Pedagogy specialization:
    • Resume/CV: Include detailed description of previous teaching.
    • Personal Statement: (500-700 words; Times, 12-point font; Word, rtf or pdf format; double-spaced). Statement should be written by the applicant describing his/her future goals and how earning the Ph.D. can help attain those goals.
    • Writing Sample: A 5-10 page double spaced discussing some topic in Vocal Pedagogy. Academic paper, thesis, journal article, or grant proposal. This sample should demonstrate appropriate scholarly attribution using an accepted citation style. Applicants' essays will be subjected to random plagiarism software checks. Any evidence of plagiarism will result in the candidate's application portfolio being withdrawn from further consideration. (This may be the same topic as the teaching/research presentation.)
    • Portfolio: Audio/Video Screening. First prepare your audio/video files with content as described here and post them to a hosting platform (e.g. YouTube), then create a PDF with links to these videos and upload the PDF in this application's Portfolio upload slot. (1) Screening Audio: 3 contrasting pieces from Art Song or Operatic repertoire. (2) Screening Video: 15-minute edited video recording demonstrating excellence in vocal teaching (may be private or group instruction, or combination thereof).
    • Other Upload: Cover Letter of Application
    • Applicants may be asked to participate in a three part Interview/Audition and Teaching Demonstration.
  • Letters of recommendation: Three letters required; four recommended.
  • Academic Eligibility: Minimum master's degree GPA 3.5.

NOTE: When sending GRE or TOEFL scores, our institution code is 6877 and a department code is not needed.

Admission Application Deadlines

For financial consideration: Apply by December 15 for fall admission.

  • For Fall admission: Apply by July 1. International students are encouraged to apply early, by April 1.
  • For Spring admission: Apply by November 1. International students are encouraged to apply early, by October 1.

Program Faculty

Ellen Hebden (bio)

Music History

Glenn Nierman (bio)

Instrumental Music Education, Assessment & Curriculum

William Shomos (bio)

Voice, Opera

Gregory Simon (bio)

Composition, Jazz Studies

Hans Sturm (bio)

Double Bass, Classical & Jazz

Darryl White (bio)

Trumpet, Classical & Jazz Studies

Tyler White (bio)

Orchestral Conducting, Composition

Robert Woody (bio)

General Music Education, Psychology/Sociology

Brenda Wristen (bio)

Piano Pedagogy, Piano

UNL Graduate Chairs and staff please complete the program update form to provide edits. Updates to graduate program pages are made on an annual basis in conjunction with the Graduate Application for Admission.