Doctoral Degrees
PhD in Music Education
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in music education is a research-focused terminal degree in the field. At the University of South Florida, this program is intended for the aspiring pinnacle leader in music education research, teaching, and administration. The curriculum prepares the student to engage in original research in music education and related fields (arts education, music technology, music psychology, etc.). In coordinating with faculty mentors, the student has great flexibility in designing a program that fits his/her interests and strengths. A cognate area of studies is built into the program. Examples of cognate studies include conducting, composition, performance, as well as fields outside of music, such as educational psychology, neuroscience, statistics, multicultural education, anthropology, psychology, philosophy, educational administration, and so forth.
Admission requirement include an interview with the music education faculty and the submission of writing samples and GRE scores. A limited number of fellowships and assistantships are available to outstanding students.
Download the program admission and requirements.
Contact Dr. C. Victor Fung, the academic advisor for this program, for more details.
SAMPLE PHD ALUMNI PLACEMENTS
- Jon Bassett, Professor & Director of Choral Studies, Florida College, Florida
- Zadda Bazzy, Music Specialist, Onslow County Schools, North Carolina; Manatee County Educator of the Year (2013)
- Joshua Blair, Director of Bands, Plant City High School, Florida
- Matthew Buckmaster, Assistant Dean of Global Education & Associate Professor of Music and Education, Elon University, North Carolina
- Christopher Burns, Fine and Performing Arts Resource Specialist, School District of Osceola County, Florida
- Morgan Jolley, Assistant Professor, Ithaca College, New York
- Mark Cole, Associate Professor of Music & Chair of Music Department, Gardner-Webb University, North Carolina
- Gary Compton, Fine Arts Chair, Academy at the Lakes, Florida
- Wayne Gallops, Professor of Music & Director of University Bands - Winds Studies, Radford University, Virginia
- Dakeyan Chá Dré Graham, Executive Director of Independent Education and Parental Choice, Florida Department of Education; Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year (2019) & Florida Teacher of the Year (2020)
- Timothy Groulx, Associate Professor & Area Coordinator of Music Education, University of North Florida, Florida
- Patrick Hernly, Academic Chair of Music Industry Recording Arts, St. Petersburg College, Florida; and Instructor of Commercial Drums, University of South Florida
- Jonathan Kladder, Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina, Wilmington, North Carolina
- Lisa Lehmberg, Professor of Music Education, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts
- James Lindroth, Associate Professor of Music, Northeastern State University, Oklahoma
- Kimberly Mieder, Assistant Professor of Music & Coordinator of Music Education Sonoma State University, California
- Marian Newsome Moorhead, String Specialist, Hillsborough County Public Schools, Florida
- Joel E. Pagán, Assistant Professor of Music, Associate Director of Bands, & Director of Athletic Bands, Texas Tech University, Texas
- Rebecca Rinsema, Lecturer, Northern Arizona University, Arizona
- Kathy Rolsten, Instructor, University of Toledo, Ohio
- José Valentino Ruiz, Assistant Professor and Head of Music Business & Entrepreneuship, Univesity of Florida, Gainesville, Florida; Winner of Latin Grammy Awards (2019 & 2020), Emmy Award (2018), and Outstanding Young Alumni Award, USF (2021)
- Cynthia Selph, Assistant Professor of Music and Music Ministry, Saint Leo University, Florida
- Andrew Sioberg, Director of Teaching and Learning Conditions Initiative, New Teacher Center, North Carolina
- Melissa Slawsky, Instructor, St. Petersburg College, Florida
- Nick Stefanic, Digital Music Production Specialist, Pinellas County Schools, Florida
- Michael Zelenak, Assistant Professor & Coordinator of Music Education, Alabama State University, Alabama