Ph.D. / M.A. in Music

Group photo of about 30 diverse colleagues standing outside an office, smiling — Graduate students and faculty members, 2025. (Phil Daley/UC Davis)

Programs Offered

The Department of Music at UC Davis offers four graduate programs. Three lead to the degree Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), in musicology, ethnomusicology, or composition and theory.

Musicology focuses on stylistic and critical study in all historical periods, the acquisition of research skills, writing for publication, professional development, and application of critical theory.
Ethnomusicology covers training in the theory, fieldwork, ethnography, transcription/analysis, and intellectual history of the subject.
Composition and theory emphasizes analysis of tonal and post-tonal music, and original inventive composition by way of various approaches and methods. Students may elect to receive a Master of Arts degree en route to the Ph.D.
The Master of Arts degree in conducting is designed for students who expect to conduct the major repertoire during their professional careers. In addition to developing practical technical skills, students study issues of performance practice and musical analysis, and gain experience in the preparation of performance materials.

Apply online through the Office of Graduate Studies. Applications are due December 15.

Apply by December 15

Financial Support

All incoming Ph.D. students are offered, at a minimum, a multi-year fellowship and teaching assistantship package from the Department of Music, providing tuition, fees, health insurance, and, as of fall 2024, a minimum of $34,000 stipend/salary per academic year (the entire package for CA residents is approximately $56,586). Admitted students are also considered for competitive university-wide fellowships.

Requirements

GRE scores are not required.

UC Davis CA residency requirements for graduate students are HERE. First year graduate students who are US citizens but not CA residents must complete the CA residency process before the end of their first quarter.

Advisors

For more information, contact faculty graduate advisors:

Beth Levy regarding the Ph.D. in ethnomusicology and musicology
Mika Pelo regarding the Ph.D. in composition and theory
Nicolás Dosman regarding the master’s degree in conducting,
or staff graduate coordinator, Marian Bilheimer.

Diversity Statement

The larger graduate community at UC Davis values a diversity of viewpoints, backgrounds, and experiences among its students with the knowledge that a diverse student body strengthens the research, scholarship, and teaching of all members of our community. As a part of our commitment to diversity there are numerous resources, events, and professional staff available to meet the needs of our diverse graduate students as they achieve their professional, educational, and career goals. Please feel free to contact Dr. Josephine Moreno, at [email protected], UC Davis Graduate Diversity Officer with any questions or concerns regarding diversity and Graduate Studies. UC Davis is committed to ensuring that all students and postdocs feel like you belong here. UC Davis believes in its campus-wide Principles of Community.