Graduate Programs in Music Theory

If you are considering graduate study, the following list organizes schools that offer these degrees in the US, Canada, the UK, and elsewhere. If made available, we have also listed degree programs. 

Potential students may also be interested in the American Musicological Society's resource, "Are you considering graduate study in musicology?"

US

University (link) City State Degrees offered
Baylor University Waco TX MM
Brandeis University Boston MA  
Boston University Boston MA  
City University of New York New York NY PhD
Columbia University New York NY  
Eastman School of Music Rochester NY BM, MA, PhD, MA in Theory Pedagogy
Florida State University Tallahassee FL MM, PhD
Harvard University Boston MA  
Indiana University Bloomington IN  
Kent State University Kent OH MA Theory, PhD Music Theory-Composition
Louisiana State University Baton Rouge LA  
Mannes School of Music at The New School New York NY MM
Michigan State University Lansing MI MM
Northwestern University Evanston IL MM, PhD
Ohio University Athens OH MM
The Ohio State University School of Music Columbus OH PhD, MA
Peabody Conservatory of Music of The Johns Hopkins University Baltimore MD MM Music Theory Pedagogy
Pennsylvania State University University Park PA MA
Princeton University, Princeton NJ PhD
Stanford University Palo Alto CA  
State University of New York at Buffalo Buffalo NY MA, PhD
Stephen F. Austin State University Nacogdoches TX MM
Stony Brook University Stony Brook NY  
Temple University Philadelphia PA MS, MM, PhD
Texas State University San Marcos TX MM
Texas Tech University Lubbock TX Certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy, MM in Music Theory, PhD in Fine Arts with concentration in Music Theory
Tufts University Medford MA MA
University of Arizona Tucson AZ  
University of California Davis Davis CA  
University of California, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara CA MA, PhD, combined MA/PhD
University of California, Irvine Irvine CA Ph.D. in Music History and Music Theory
University of Chicago Chicago IL PhD
University of Cincinnati Cincinnati OH PhD and MM
University of Colorado Boulder Boulder CO MM
University of Connecticut Storrs CT MA in Music Theory and PhD in Music Theory and History
University of Denver Denver CO MA in Music Theory, Certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy
University of Houston Houston TX MM
University of Iowa School of Music Iowa City IA MA, PhD
University of Kansas Lawrence KS MM, PhD
University of Kentucky Lexington KY MA, PhD
University of Louisiana at Lafayette Lafayette LA MM
University of Louisville Louisville KY MM
University of Maryland College Park MD  
University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst MA MM in Music Theory, Graduate Certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy
University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI  
University of Minnesota Minneapolis MN  
University of Missouri Kansas City Kansas City MO MM
University of Nebraska Lincoln Lincoln NE MM in Music Theory
University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro NC  
University of North Texas Denton TX  
University of Oregon Eugene OR MA, PhD
University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia PA  
University of Tennessee Knoxville TN BM, MM, Graduate Certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy
University of Texas at Austin Austin TX  
University of Texas at Arlington Arlington TX MM
University of Washington Seattle WA  
University of Wisconsin, Madison Madison WI  
Washington University St. Louis MO  
Yale University New Haven CT PhD

Canada

University (link) City Province/Territory Degrees offered
McGill University Montreal QC MA, PhD
University of Alberta Edmonton AB  
University of British Columbia Vancouver BC MA, PhD
University of Toronto Toronto ON  
Western University London ON  

UK

 

Other Countries

University (link) City Country Degrees offered
Hochschule für Musik Freiburg Freiburg Germany MM Musiktheorie
Hochschule für Musik Hamburg Hamburg Germany MM Musiktheorie
Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover Hannover Germany MM Musiktheorie
Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe Karlsruhe Germany MA Musiktheorie
Hochschule für Musik Mainz Mainz Germany MM Musiktheorie
Hochschule für Musik und Theater Rostock Germany MA Musiktheorie
Hochschule für Musik Weimar Weimar Germany MM Musiktheorie
Hochschule für Musik Würzburg Würzburg Germany MM Musiktheorie und Komposition
Norwegian Academy of Music Oslo Norway MM in Music Theory
Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Stuttgart Stuttgart Germany MA Musiktheorie

This listing of graduate programs in music theory is user-generated. If you would like to update or add a listing, contact the Web Editor with the following information:
School Name, school location, degrees offered (MM, PhD, etc.), link to program information

SMT Jacksonville 2024

The Society for Music Theory celebrates its forty-seventh Annual Meeting at the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida, November 7–10, 2024.

ABOUT JACKSONVILLE

Visit Jacksonville built a microsite for our attendees to use. Visit the site to learn more about Jacksonville, including where to eat, what to do, and how to get there.

CONFERENCE INFORMATION

Information about the conference can be found on the SMT website

Hotel Reservations 

The Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel (225 E Coastline Drive) has reserved a block of rooms for conference attendees. The rates are $169/night for single and double occupancy; $194/night for triple occupancy; $219/night for quadruple occupancy; and $169 for student quadruple occupancy (limited rooms available). Hotel reservations for non-students may be made online.  SMT student members should have received an email with a code to reserve at the student rate; please email Jennifer Diaz at smt@societymusictheory.org if you did not receive the email. 

Using the conference room block at this hotel helps us meet our contractual obligations and keeps you close to all conference activities.

Conference Registration

Conference registration is open and available on our website. The rates are as follows:

Rate Category Early (6/01–9/27/2024) Regular (9/28–11/1/2024)
Student or low-income $70.00 $95.00
Emeritus/Retired $100.00 $135.00
Standard $130.00 $175.00
Student Helpers

We are in need of student volunteers to assist during the conference. Volunteers will receive a registration fee waiver in exchange for 6.5 hours of service. The deadline to apply is September 6

Hotel Accessibility

Every effort will be made to meet the unique requirements of all attendees. For specific needs or questions please contact Jennifer Diaz, Executive Director, at smt@societymusictheory.org.  

Sponsorships

The Society provides several sponsorship opportunities for organizations at our Annual Meeting. 

Exhibits 

The deadline to reserve an exhibit booth is September 6

Program Guide Advertisements 

The final deadline to reserve a program guide ad is September 6