Doctoral Program

Curriculum Overview

Research Studies of Music Major consists of five research areas: Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Creative Writing, Musicology, and Music Education.
All research fields focus on modern and contemporary Japanese music, and research is conducted across a wide range of fields from a wide perspective, including performance theory of works created in Western musical styles by Japanese people since the Meiji period, and creations using Japanese instruments.
As a career path, students take "Teaching Methods" (an elective course, 2 credits) in their first year, and are supported in their pursuit of a career in higher education by training as a teaching assistant （TA）. Students also have the opportunity to become research assistants (RAs) and engage in practical research work in order to become leaders in more advanced academic research.
Research guidance in the areas of Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, and Creative Music is provided comprehensively through collaboration between faculty in charge of Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, and Creative Music and faculty in charge of Musicology.

Purpose

This program provides an education that respects the spirit of freedom, autonomy, and self-reliance, and aims to cultivate the advanced research abilities and rich academic knowledge that serve as the foundation for students to become researchers who can be active internationally in the field of music, and who can independently engage in creative, expressive, and research activities, as well as other specialized work.

Completion Certification Policy

This program will award a doctorate to those who have acquired the following qualities and abilities and are able to utilize them comprehensively. Students must complete the required courses and pass the doctoral dissertation examination (including a doctoral completion recital or doctoral completion piece concert, depending on the research field) and the final examination.

Able to independently plan a concert and give a convincing performance
Ability to create works based on one's own creative ideas and theories based on research
Conduct research that will advance your own performance and creativity
Ability to conduct original research in the fields of musicology and music education
Ability to teach at higher education institutions

Policy regarding the organization and implementation of the curriculum

This program aims to train internationally active performers and creators, as well as researchers in musicology and music education who are able to conduct their own independent research, and to contribute to the development of Japan's musical culture. To this end, the program is organized and implemented in accordance with the following guidelines.

Acquire comprehensive knowledge and methods necessary for doctoral-level music research
Acquire comprehensive knowledge and methods necessary for the study of Western music and modern Japanese music.
Conduct specialized research in each research field
Conduct interdisciplinary education and research through collaboration between faculty in vocal music, instrumental music, and creative writing, and faculty in musicology.
Training teachers for higher education institutions

Student Admission Policy

This course accepts the following students:

In the three areas of vocal music research, instrumental music research, and creative research, students are expected to acquire advanced performance and creative abilities, and to develop and develop their own theories of performance and creation, with the aim of becoming internationally active performers and composers, and to possess the will and ability to pursue ambitious research.
In the two research fields of musicology and music education, students are expected to have the will and ability to pursue ambitious research in order to become high-quality researchers who can raise important international issues.

Self-Inspection and Evaluation Policy

In order to improve the level of education and research, and to achieve the aims and social mission of the course, the course will self-examine and evaluate the status of its education and research activities.

Degree Earned

Doctor of Musical Arts　Doctor of Musical Arts
Doctor of Philosophy in Musicology　Doctor of Philosophy in Musicology
Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education

Curriculum

Vocal Music Research Area/Instrumental Music Research Area

	First year	Second year	Third year
Required subjects	Special Comprehensive Exercises I & II (1 unit each) Basic research materials for music studies and Acquire a comprehensive understanding of research methodology. Determining the research topic
	Dissertation research guidance I to VI Doctoral dissertation writing supervision (Musicology faculty member) Performance/Creative Research Guidance I-Ⅵ Instruction in practical aspects such as performance techniques and expressive methods (performance-related instructors)
	Research Concert	Research Concert	Submission of doctoral dissertation
			Graduation Recital
Elective compulsory subjects	Vocal Music Research I-IV / Instrumental Music Research I-IV (2 units each) Based on the research theme, works of various styles and genres Research on the composer, performance methods, etc.
Common elective subjects	Advanced Lectures on Music Theory A and B Special Lectures on Music Aesthetics AB Special Lectures on Western Music History AB Advanced Lectures on Musical Ethnology AB Special Lectures on Japanese Music History (AB) Advanced Lectures on Musical Acoustics AB (1 unit each) Basic foundational skills for music research To acquire the necessary skills, you must complete at least 2 credits of the course.
Elective subjects	Teaching Methods (2 credits) For those who aim to become teachers in the future

Creative Research Area

	First year	Second year	Third year
Required subjects	Special Comprehensive Exercises I & II (1 unit each) Basic research materials for music studies and Acquire a comprehensive understanding of research methodology. Determining the research topic
	Dissertation research guidance I to VI Doctoral dissertation writing supervision (Musicology faculty member) Performance/Creative Research Guidance I-Ⅵ Instruction in practical skills such as composition and study of music theory (instructor in composition)
	Works presentation	Works presentation	Submission of doctoral dissertation
			Graduation Works Presentation
Elective compulsory subjects	Creative field research I-IV (2 units each) Based on the research theme, regarding composition and music theory Research on various creative techniques
Common elective subjects	Advanced Lectures on Music Theory A and B Special Lectures on Music Aesthetics AB Special Lectures on Western Music History AB Advanced Lectures on Musical Ethnology AB Special Lectures on Japanese Music History (AB) Advanced Lectures on Musical Acoustics AB (1 unit each) Basic foundational skills for music research To acquire the necessary skills, you must complete at least 2 credits of the course.
Elective subjects	Teaching Methods (2 credits) For those who aim to become teachers in the future

Musicology Research Area/Music Education Research Area

	First year	Second year	Third year
Required subjects	Special Comprehensive Exercises I & II (1 unit each) Basic research materials for music studies and Acquire a comprehensive understanding of research methodology. Determining the research topic
	Dissertation research guidance I to VI Doctoral dissertation writing guidance
	Publication of papers in academic journals	Publication of papers in academic journals	Submission of doctoral dissertation
Elective compulsory subjects	Research in Musicology I-IV / Research in Music Education I-IV (2 credits each) Based on the research theme, through cutting-edge research guidance in musicology or music education, Research on methodologies in musicology, music education, and music education practice.
Common elective subjects	Advanced Lectures on Music Theory A and B Special Lectures on Music Aesthetics AB Special Lectures on Western Music History AB Advanced Lectures on Musical Ethnology AB Special Lectures on Japanese Music History (AB) Advanced Lectures on Musical Acoustics AB (1 unit each) Basic foundational skills for music research To acquire the necessary skills, you must complete at least 2 credits of the course.
Elective subjects	Teaching Methods (2 credits) For those who aim to become teachers in the future

Scholarship

Our university has its own scholarship system. All students who apply for a scholarship upon enrollment can receive a portion of their tuition fees (500,000 yen: 2026 academic year) as a scholarship for three years (no repayment required).

For more information about the scholarship, please click here.