University of California Berkeley Fully Funded PhD in Music

PhD @University of California, Berkeley posted 2 days ago

Job Description

Program Overview

Institution: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
Department: Department of Music
Location: Berkeley, California

UC Berkeley’s Department of Music offers a PhD program renowned for its excellence in both theoretical and practical aspects of music. The program provides students with access to distinguished faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and a vibrant academic community, fostering interdisciplinary research opportunities across various departments and research centers.

Funding Package

All admitted PhD students receive comprehensive financial support, which includes:

Tuition and Fees: Full coverage, including student health insurance.
Annual Stipend: At least $34,000 per year, guaranteed for five years for MA/PhD students or four years for PhD students.
Additional Support:
- A final year of financial support at similar levels is available through the Doctoral Completion Fellowship offered through the Graduate Division.
- Additional support for research travel is available by application.

Funding is typically provided through a combination of fellowships and teaching opportunities. The department employs graduate students after their first year of study to be Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs) in a variety of courses, providing valuable teaching experience.

Curriculum Structure

The PhD program is structured to provide a robust foundation in music, with flexibility to tailor coursework to individual research interests.

Core Components

Coursework: Students complete core and elective courses covering various aspects of music.
Research: Emphasis on original research leading to a doctoral dissertation.
Teaching Experience: Opportunities to serve as a GSI, gaining valuable teaching experience.
Qualifying Examination: Assessment to advance to candidacy, typically by the end of the third year.
Dissertation: Completion and defense of a doctoral dissertation contributing to the field of music.

Admission Requirements

Educational Background: A bachelor’s degree in music or a related field.
Application Materials:
- Online application through UC Berkeley Graduate Admissions.
- Statement of Purpose.
- Personal History Statement.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
- Resume/CV.
- For composition applicants: Scores and recordings of compositions.
- For musicology and ethnomusicology applicants: Writing samples demonstrating scholarly work.
Application Fee:
- $135 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
- $155 for international applicants.