Music Theory PhD Statistics?

stringkeymom
Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:59:54 +0000

Many academic programs admit directly to the Ph.D. and the M.A. (if conferred at all) is granted en route, meaning, it is not considered a terminal degree but merely an indication of progress towards the doctorate.

For a purely academic teaching career in theory, it is not at all necessary to obtain the M.M. It is important to look closely at the faculty you would be studying with. Many of the leading academic theory departments differ from one another philosophically and you might want to think about choosing a particular angle or professor to study with.

To answer the OP’s original question: obtaining a tenure track professorship has as much to do with publications–originality and quality of research–as with the provenance of the doctorate. Most important for your career propsects in academics would be securing the good will of a powerful mentor and dissertation advisor.