PhD in Music - Musicology and Ethnomusicology

The University of Kentucky (UK) has grown into a vibrant institution committed to advancing knowledge, fostering creativity, and nurturing leaders. With a sprawling and picturesque campus, the university offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across various disciplines. At the core of the University of Kentucky's mission is a dedication to research and discovery. The institution is renowned for its cutting-edge research initiatives, spanning fields such as healthcare, agriculture, engineering, and the arts. With world-class faculty leading the way, UK provides students with opportunities to engage in groundbreaking research and contribute to advancements that have a global impact. Beyond academics, the university embraces a vibrant campus life, encouraging students to participate in a rich tapestry of extracurricular activities, fostering personal growth, and building a strong sense of community. The University of Kentucky stands as a dynamic and inclusive educational institution, preparing students not only for successful careers but also for a life of purpose and contribution to society.

The Division of Musicology and Ethnomusicology of the UK School of Music offers a superior education in musicology with its diverse faculty of scholars, its dual emphasis on traditional research and creative explorations in the field, its focus on collaborations between scholarship and performance, and its access to the extensive collections housed in the Lucille Little Fine Arts Library and the John Jacob Niles Center for American Music. The Musicology and Ethnomusicology Division is presently made up of seven full-time faculty and one part-time instructor, whose specialties range from the Medieval period to contemporary music, from chant and opera to fiddle tunes, folk songs, and Korean drumming, employing a wide variety of methodological approaches. The expertise of several faculty members reinforces the School of Music’s designated strengths in Opera/Vocal Music and American Music. The School of Music offers two degrees in Musicology/Ethnomusicology: an M.A. and a combined M.A./Ph.D. The UK School of Music does not offer an undergraduate degree in musicology or music history, however there is a large selection of undergraduate course for majors and non-majors. Undergraduate students who plan to study musicology at the graduate level might wish to consider the B.A. degree in music, since it offers the most opportunity for advanced study, but those with other undergraduate music degrees can also pursue graduate study in the field.