Music Technology PhD

Work closely with experts in the field to advance research in music technology

Herron's Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in music technology program offers interdisciplinary graduate degrees at the intersection of music, technology, engineering, STEM education, and computer science. Our one-of-a-kind residential program allows students to explore the musical, creative, and technical aspects of acoustics, synthesis, digital audio signal processing, machine learning and artificial intelligence, recording and production, music and audio programming, interactive musicianship, and contemporary performance. Students may engage in direct research opportunities with graduate faculty and take classes throughout the IU Indianapolis campus. Recent program graduates have become leaders in music technology education, acoustics, performance, and audio-related fields.

2:1Student to faculty ratio

15NEARBY IU SCHOOLS IDEAL FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH

2State-of-the-art music production studios

Accreditation

The Master of Science in music technology program at Herron School of Art and Design at IU Indianapolis is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), requiring routine self-evaluation to meet evolving quality standards.

[A PhD in music technology] is not offered at many universities across the country... [this program offers] the headspace and opportunity for my research to come out in a much more effective and fruitful manner.
Harry Chaubey (PhD candidate)

Plan of study

At Herron, the principal objectives of this 90-credit hour on-campus doctoral program are to create future researchers, educators, and leaders who will:

Conduct research and develop transformative new technologies in music and the arts
Examine the practices of designing, making, and managing music technology
Grow the methodologies of research in music technology
Apply music technology in society and industry

Prerequisites

Students entering with a master’s degree are assumed to already have the equivalent of 30 credit hours of graduate study, while direct PhD students must take an additional 30 credit hours of master’s equivalency, for a total of 90 hours. Direct PhD students are strongly encouraged to take their first 30 hours in alignment with the Master of Science in music technology program. These students may apply to be awarded the master’s at the end of their second year of study, pending completion of degree requirements.

Ph.D. student looks to dial down ‘math anxiety’

Music and arts technology researcher Alan Tyson II created MuSciQ, an application that blends math education with your favorite song.

Read the story

Student-faculty collaboration

Music technology is home to dynamic music collectives, lab groups, and innovative research opportunities ranging from telematic music to sustainable acoustics.

Explore projects

Herron facilities

You will complete your program in advanced production studios, practice rooms, and collaborative lab spaces. You'll also have access to expansive art and design studio and lab facilities.

Explore our facilities