Prospective Students

• September 1: Application opens
• First Monday of December: Deadline for preferential application
• Initial Review by area
• Select applicants invited for spring interviews
• First half of spring semester: On-campus interviews
• Interviews on Friday
• GAMuT conference Saturday 
• Shortly after the interview, candidates will be notified of the acceptance decision 

•  Apply to the College of Music
• Upload a Resume & Three Letters of Recommendation 
• Examples of scholarly writing: a research paper, a published article, a thesis chapter, or an essay that demonstrates the ability to address significant issues pertaining to the area of study
• A personal statement that highlights the reasons for pursuing graduate study in the chosen field
• Unofficial Transcripts (official once you are accepted) 

• Apply to the College of Music
• Three letters of recommendation by persons who know the applicant personally, professionally, and academically
• Examples of scholarly writing: a research paper, a published article, and/or an essay that demonstrates the ability to address significant issues pertaining to the area of study
• A personal statement that mentions specific interests in the chosen field
• Unofficial Transcripts (official once you are accepted) 

Division Chairman: Dr. David Heetderks (David.Heetderks@unt.edu)

Contact the following if you are interested in studying related fields.

Music Theory: Dr. Gillian Robertson (Gillian.Robertson@unt.edu)

Musicology: Dr. Brian Wright (Brian.Wright@unt.edu)

Ethnomusicology: Dr. Cathy Ragland (Catherine.Ragland@unt.edu)

Many graduate students in the Division of Music History, Theory, and Ethnomusicology hold a teaching assistantship (TA) or teaching fellowship (TF). These are typically half-time appointments (20 hours/week) and carry a stipend and, in most cases, a tuition supplement. Teaching assistants support the instruction of large undergraduate courses by running labs, delivering lectures, and grading. Teaching fellows serve as the instructor of record for undergraduate courses.  

Some graduate students in the Division of Music History, Theory, and Ethnomusicology hold competitive scholarships from the College of Music and the University. Any competitive scholarship of $1,000 or more per academic year guarantees in-state tuition rates for the term of the award. Finally, the Division, College, and University offer funding to offset travel costs for presentations at professional conferences.  

Teaching Fellows (TFs) in Music Theory at the College of Music are a select group of graduate students who primarily teach the undergraduate aural skills courses.

The audition includes an evaluation of the candidate’s skills in the areas mentioned above, a discussion of any prior teaching experience, and an evaluation of the candidate’s ability to explain musical materials clearly and correctly. 

For more information about opportunities and auditions, please click here:  

https://musicuntedu/mhte/music-theory/teaching-fellow-applications.html 

Teaching assistantships in music history are normally offered at the time of admission. Prospective or current students interested in applying for an assistantship should contact the area coordinator. Teaching fellowships in music history are offered only to doctoral students who have completed coursework and passed their qualifying exams (major and related field).  

Music History PhD and MA students accepted as teaching assistants have extensive opportunities to grow as educators during their time at UNT. A typical PhD student will have the following experiences during their time at UNT. Note: years vary based on department needs and student experience. The below teaching schedule is a guide.  

Years 1 and 2  

• Assist Teaching Fellows and UNT Faculty with large classes either online or in-person 
• Teach one to two full classes per year, with preparation and feedback provided.
• Complete G-Step, a program through CLEAR, to build fundamental knowledge in teaching. 
• Take Music History Pedagogy (MUMH 5040) if not already taken.  

Years 2 and 3 

• Teach labs for the pre-1750 and/or post-1750 music history surveys 
• Deliver content twice per week 
• Teach the main class once per semester  

Years 4 and 5 

• Serve as a teaching fellow 
• Design your own course plan and syllabus, in conjunction with UNT faculty 
• Serve as the teacher of record
• Depending on course size, coordinate with one or more TAs 

MA students in Music History and DMA/PhD students outside the Music History Area may serve as TAs for the area, but will likely stay in the years 1–2 category.  

TA and TF positions in ethnomusicology usually involve:

• Leading one of the ensembles (such as Mariachi Águilas)
• Serving as teaching assistants for MUET 3030 (Music Cultures of the World) or MUET 2000 (Global Pop)
• In the case of more advanced students, teaching MUET 3030 (Music Cultures of the World) or MUET 2000 (Global Pop)