Doctoral qualifying examinations are administered each fall and spring semester; in extenuating circumstances the examination may be taken during the summer, but any request to do so must be approved by the student's examination committee by the beginning of the spring semester.

1. Prior to the completion of required coursework, students must select an examination committee, which compiles and grades the written qualifying examination. This committee is an extension of the student’s advisory committee, and consists of:
   
   1. The major professor
   2. A composition faculty representative (usually another member of the student's advisory committee)
   3. A faculty representative from the Division of Music History, Theory, and Ethnomusicology (may be an advisory committee member)
   4. The minor/related field professor (may be the same as ‘c’ or ‘d’ above)
2. Students are expected to communicate with their examination committee members as they prepare for the qualifying examinations. Because the minor/related field examination is compiled and graded separately from the major field examination, it is particularly important that the student consults with the minor/related field professor to determine the nature and expectations of that portion of the examination.
3. In preparation for the qualifying examinations, the student will study twelve works from an approved repertoire list (eight selected by the student, four selected by the examination committee). Initially, the student will submit a list of eight works for consideration by the examination committee. This repertoire must be selected so as to fulfill the following criteria:
   
   1. Period—works are to be selected from each of the following historical periods:
      
      • one work from before 1600
      • one work from 1600-1750
      • one work from 1750-1825
      • one work from 1825-1900
      • two works from 1900-1960
      • two works from 1960-present
   2. Genre—one work must be selected from each of the following categories:
      
      • solo instrumental work
      • instrumental chamber work (e.g., string quartet, wind quintet)
      • vocal chamber work (e.g., lieder, song cycle)
      • symphonic work (e.g., symphony, concerto)
      • choral work (a cappella or accompanied)
      • opera
      • electroacoustic/computer/intermedia work
      • other (e.g., crossover, jazz, popular, non-western, film score, performance art)

      The student may be asked to submit a revised list if any of the proposed works is not accepted by the examination committee. The repertoire list must be approved by this committee at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the semester in which the qualifying examination is to be administered.

4. Once these eight works have been approved, the qualifying examination committee will select four additional works for inclusion on the repertoire list; this final list of twelve works will be confirmed within two or three weeks of receiving the initial list of eight works proposed by the student, and no later than four weeks prior to the beginning of the semester in which the qualifying examination is to be administered.
5. Upon approval of the exam repertoire by the advisory committee, and no later than the end of the semester prior to the scheduled qualifying examination, the student will forward the repertoire list to the Composition Division chair for final approval. 
6. The student will be responsible for providing links to scores and recordings of each work on the repertoire list,  These materials must be made available no later than four weeks prior to the written examination date.
7. Upon successful completion of the literature examination and all other coursework, students will be eligible to enroll in dissertation, MUGC 6950 (see Enrollment in Thesis or Dissertation below).  No more than one semester of MUGC 6950 may be taken prior to successful completion of all parts of the qualifying examination.  Doctoral students may enroll in Advanced Research in Composition (MUCP 6195) with the major professor in preparation for the written qualifying examination, although the course may not be applied toward the degree plan in this circumstance without approval from the major professor and the Composition Division chair.  
8. The written qualifying examination must be scheduled in consultation with the major professor and the student's examination committee, no later than the beginning of the semester the examinations will be taken. Please note that it is the sole responsibility of the student to follow College of Music procedures when making arrangements to take the qualifying examination: this includes submitting required paperwork, scheduling a room for the oral examination, and scheduling, changing, or canceling examination dates.