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	特別総合演習ⅠⅡ（各1単位）音楽研究の基礎資料研究や研究方法論を総合的に修得/ 研究テーマの確定
	論文系研究指導Ⅰ〜Ⅵ 博士論文執筆指導（音楽学担当教員）演奏・創作系研究指導Ⅰ〜Ⅵ 演奏法・表現法など実技面の指導（演奏系担当教員）
	Research Concert	Research Concert	Submission of doctoral dissertation
			Graduation Recital
Elective compulsory subjects	声楽領域研究Ⅰ〜Ⅳ/器楽領域研究Ⅰ〜Ⅳ（各2単位）研究テーマに基づき、様々な様式、ジャンルの作品やその作曲家、演奏法等について研究
Common elective subjects	音楽理論特講AB 音楽美学特講AB 西洋音楽史特講AB 音楽民族学特講AB 日本音楽史特講AB 音楽音響学特講AB （各1単位）音楽研究の基礎的素養を身につけるため2単位以上履修
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	特別総合演習ⅠⅡ（各1単位）音楽研究の基礎資料研究や研究方法論を総合的に修得/ 研究テーマの確定
	論文系研究指導Ⅰ〜Ⅵ 博士論文執筆指導（音楽学担当教員）演奏・創作系研究指導Ⅰ〜Ⅵ 作品創作、音楽理論の研究など実技面の指導（創作系担当教員）
	Works presentation	Works presentation	Submission of doctoral dissertation
			Graduation Works Presentation
Elective compulsory subjects	創作領域研究Ⅰ〜Ⅳ（各2単位）研究テーマに基づき、作曲及び音楽理論に関する様々な創作技法について研究
Common elective subjects	音楽理論特講AB 音楽美学特講AB 西洋音楽史特講AB 音楽民族学特講AB 日本音楽史特講AB 音楽音響学特講AB （各1単位）音楽研究の基礎的素養を身につけるため2単位以上履修
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	特別総合演習ⅠⅡ（各1単位）音楽研究の基礎資料研究や研究方法論を総合的に修得/ 研究テーマの確定
	論文系研究指導Ⅰ〜Ⅵ 博士論文執筆指導
	Publication of papers in academic journals	Publication of papers in academic journals	Submission of doctoral dissertation
Elective compulsory subjects	音楽学領域研究Ⅰ〜Ⅳ/音楽教育学領域研究Ⅰ〜Ⅳ（各2単位）研究テーマに基づき、音楽学または音楽教育学の先端的研究指導を通して、音楽学研究、音楽教育学研究、音楽教育実践研究等の方法論について研究
Common elective subjects	音楽理論特講AB 音楽美学特講AB 西洋音楽史特講AB 音楽民族学特講AB 日本音楽史特講AB 音楽音響学特講AB （各1単位）音楽研究の基礎的素養を身につけるため2単位以上履修
Elective subjects	Teaching Methods (2 credits) For those who aim to become teachers in the future

Scholarship

本学では独自の奨学金制度を採用しています。入学時の給付希望者全員に対して3年間、授業履修費の一部（500,000円：2026年度）を奨学金として受けることができます（返還不要）。

For more information about the scholarship, please click here.