The graduate program in Critical Music Studies (CMS) takes a broad approach to the humanistic study of music and sound. Faculty and students develop research projects that freely engage musicology, music theory, and ethnomusicology and their interdisciplines. The program of study is flexible, responsive to students’ interests and needs, and to the diversity of musical experiences and phenomena throughout history and around the world. Coursework, advising committees, and dissertation topics routinely cross disciplinary boundaries.
CMS typically makes one to three funded offers of admission each year. These offers come with full funding renewable for up to five years, in the form of a tuition and fee scholarship, stipend, and subsidized health insurance. As of Oct. 1, 2023, the annual stipend is $26,000; for more information on rates and eligibility, see the Graduate School website). We regularly nominate students for competitive fellowships such as the Stony Brook University Graduate Council Fellowship and the Turner Fellowship that substantially increase financial support.
Graduate Program in Critical Music Studies: Degrees Offered
- Master of Arts in Music (Critical Music Studies)
- PhD in Music (Critical Music Studies)
The Critical Music Studies program is designed to provide students with broad exposure to the sub-disciplines of music scholarship (music history, music theory, ethnomusicology) and to facilitate the development of research projects that build on these broad foundations. Students typically take courses that engage all three sub-disciplines. Many explore course offerings centering the creation and study of new music and bridging performance and scholarship (as with our performance practice workshops in early music and contemporary music). The flexible curriculum also makes it possible for students to deepen their engagement with their research areas via coursework in related disciplines.
The MA Program typically takes two years to complete, and students in this program have the option of applying to the PhD program. The PhD program is designed to take five to six years. PhD students work with a steering committee to focus their interests, hone their research skills, and develop their dissertation project.
Faculty
Margarethe Adams, Central Asia, Northwest China
Kevin Holt, American popular music, hip hop studies
Erika S. Honisch, 16th-17th Centuries, Sound Studies
Judith Lochhead, 20-21st Centuries
Ryan Minor, “Long” 19th Century
August Sheehy, History of Music Theory, Analysis, Improvisation
Stephen Decatur Smith, 19th-20th Centuries
Benjamin Tausig, Southeast Asia, Sound Studies
Application Process
- Read through the Admissions Information page.
- The application deadline for Fall 2027 admissions for the MA or PhD in Music (Critical Music Studies) is December 15, 2026.
- Complete the application found here:https://graduateadmissions.stonybrook.edu/apply/
- Please note that the Critical Music Studies program may email you to request an interview (to be held on Zoom in mid-January), in order to learn more about your interests and potential in the program.
Required Materials for the Application
1) Application – submitted through the Graduate School application system (Slate) (link on this page,
above). 2) Application Fee – paid via the application. 3) Statement of Purpose - uploaded to the application. Please indicate what you hope to accomplish from your graduate studies in Stony Brook's
Music Department, what your career goals are, and what music or musicians have influenced
your path as a musician. Please note: All written work submitted to support your application must be your own. In particular,
the use of generative AI to generate entire sentences and paragraphs is not permitted
and may be disqualifying. 4) Resume/CV - suploaded to the application. 5) Three (3) Letters of Recommendation – recommenders submit through the application system. 6) Transcripts – official transcripts from institutions where a degree was received. For coursework
relevant to the proposed course of study taken outside of a degree, unofficial transcripts
will suffice. Details on the submission process can be found here (see Transcripts: Requirements and Submission). 7) 2-3 Academic Papers – uploaded to the application. These should be original papers in music research,
analysis or criticism in the range of 2500-5000 words. In addition to these, you
may send papers on other subjects if you think that they support some aspect of your
application for admission. Please limit your papers to those that exemplify your
best work. Please note: All written work submitted to support your application must be your own. In particular,
the use of generative AI to generate entire sentences and paragraphs is not permitted
and may be disqualifying. 8) GRE Scores - GRE scores are NOT required. 9) TOEFL/IELTS Scores (if applicable): Please see "TOEFL-IELTS Requirements" on our Admissions Information page for details. 1) Application – submitted through the Graduate School application system (Slate) (links on this
page, above). 2) Application Fee – paid via the application. 3) Statement of Purpose - uploaded to the application. Please indicate what you hope to accomplish from your graduate studies in Stony Brook's
Music Department, what your career goals are, and what music or musicians have influenced
your path as a musician. Please note: All written work submitted to support your application must be your own. In particular,
the use of generative AI to generate entire sentences and paragraphs is not permitted
and may be disqualifying. 4) Resume/CV - uploaded to the application. 5) Three (3) Letters of Recommendation – recommenders submit through the application system. 6) Transcripts – official transcripts from institutions where a degree was received. For coursework
relevant to the proposed course of study taken outside of a degree, unofficial transcripts
will suffice. Details on the submission process can be found here (see Transcripts: Requirements and Submission). 7) 2-3 Academic Papers – uploaded to the application. These should be original papers in music research,
analysis or criticism in the range of 2500-5000 words. In addition to these, you
may send papers on other subjects if you think that they support some aspect of your
application for admission. Please limit your papers to those that exemplify your
best work. Please note: All written work submitted to support your application must be your own. In particular,
the use of generative AI to generate entire sentences and paragraphs is not permitted
and may be disqualifying. 8) GRE Scores - GRE scores are NOT required. 9) TOEFL Scores (if applicable): Please see "TOEFL-IELTS Requirements" on our Admissions Information page for details.