COMING SOON!
Application opens September 1, 2027

Launching in fall 2028, the Doctor of Education (EdD) in Music Education is a research-intensive degree for those pursuing scholarly leadership in the field, including collegiate-level positions and research-focused careers. 

Building on Boston University’s long-established doctoral tradition in music education, the EdD offers robust coursework in theory, research methods, and literature review writing, all designed to scaffold students toward a successful research dissertation. 

With increased full-time faculty mentorship and structured milestones, the EdD provides the individualized support and academic rigor that aspiring scholars need to conduct original research and contribute meaningfully to the field. At 60 units and an average completion time of 4–5 years, the EdD positions graduates competitively for university faculty roles.

Program of Study

Each degree candidate must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 60 term units distributed as follows:

Music Education Core (total of 36 units)
CFA ME 704 Introduction to Music Education Research – 4 units
CFA ME 741 History and Philosophy in Music Education: Perspectives and Practice – 4 units
CFA ME 742 Introduction to Theories in Music Education – 4 units
CFA ME 743 Advanced Theories in Music Education – 4 units
CFA ME 859 Problems, Theories, and Literature 1 – 4 units
CFA ME 860 Problems, Theories, and Literature 2 – 4 units
CFA ME 841 Quantitative Research Methods – 4 units
CFA ME 842 Qualitative Research Methods – 4 units
CFA ME 877 Advanced Methods in Music Education Research – 4 units
CFA ME 750 Theoretical and Cultural Applications (2 milestones) – 4 units

Music Theory and Music History Competency (total of 4 units)
CFA ME 750 Theoretical and Cultural Applications (2 milestones) – 4 units

Music Education Competency (total of 4 units)
CFA ME 870 Writing a Literature Review for Publication (1 milestone) – 4 units

Approved Electives (total of 8 units)

In-person Residency (total of 1 unit)
CFA ME921 Residency – 1 unit
Required in-person residency. Students must complete CFA ME870 Writing a Literature Review for Publication and have submitted their manuscript for assessment of the music education competency to attend.

Dissertation (minimum total of 7 units)
CFA ME 993, 994, or 995 Dissertation – 7 units minimum required
Pre-requisites include all required coursework and successful completion of the music education competency. Dissertation units can be taken during the fall and spring semesters. Students may elect to register for summer dissertation units if their supervisor and/or their 2^nd or 3^rd readers are available during that time. Students should indicate their desire to register for summer dissertation units at the time of the Prospectus Seminar.