Doctoral Degree
Acceptance in the Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education degree of the School of Music at the University of Southern Mississippi requires that students meet expectations beyond those stipulated in the Graduate Bulletin. Please read page 3, Acceptance in the School of Music Doctoral Handbook.
Candidates for the Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education degree must comply with the language requirements as specified for Doctor of Philosophy candidates in the Graduate Bulletin. The School of Music recommends one language approved by the student’s Graduate Advisory Committee and completion of REF 602, 761, and 762 to fulfill the statistics requirement. Statistics or computer science: A candidate for the Doctor of Music Education degree is required to demonstrate proficiency in statistics or computer science; at the discretion of the student’s Graduate Advisory Committee, the candidate may be required to demonstrate a reading knowledge of one modern foreign language. The following courses are required:
Credit Hours Course Number Course Name
3 REF 601 (or equivalent) Educational Research
3 MUS 702 (or equivalent) Bibliography for Music Research
3 MED 755 Psychology of Music
3 MED 825 Doctoral Seminar in Music Education
3 MED 826 Doctoral Seminar in Music Education
12 MED 898 Dissertation
The remainder of the program will be determined: 1) In the light of the student’s qualifying examination, 2) his or her interests, 3) counsel of the major professor and graduate advisory committee. In planning this program, the following minimum distribution of graduate courses (including master’s degree work) is required:
Credit Hours Course Number Course Name
30 MED - Thirty semester hours Music Education
9 MUS - Nine semester hours Music history and literature
9 MUS - Nine semester hours Music theory
9 semester hours - Professional education
3 semesters MUP - Three semesters studio performance study
The remainder of the program in approved electives
A G.P.A. of 3.0 is required for graduation. Although the Graduate Bulletin states that eighty-four (84) semester hours are required for doctoral degrees, it should be clearly understood that some candidates will be unable to receive a degree on the basis of this minimum. The distinction implied by the degree and the traditions related to it require comprehensive knowledge and demonstration of a high degree of proficiency in the major field and related areas of study as well as the ability to conduct advanced research.
Other information, including General Requirements and a Plan of Study, can be found below.
General Requirements
General requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy can be found by clicking Pages 17,20-23, and 25 of the Graduate Bulletin.
Plan of Study
Students must submit their signed, official Plan of Study Form to the Graduate Studies Office by the end of the second semester they are enrolled. Visit the Plan of Study link and “Select Your Doctoral Program.“ A spreadsheet in Excel will be downloaded. Print a copy, take it to the SOM Graduate Advisor for further guidance.