In addition to coursework, PhD candidates must complete a dissertation, which is a major piece of original research. The dissertation must be approved by the student's dissertation committee, and it must be successfully defended in a public oral examination.
The average time to complete a PhD in music in the United States is approximately five years. However, some students may take longer, and some may finish in as little as three years. The length of time it takes to complete a PhD in music depends on a number of factors, including the student's research interests, the student's progress, and the institution.