The doctoral program at Cornell is uniquely flexible; it is developed individually, in consultation with the student's Special Committee, and students may combine their study of music with study in another field. All students are encouraged to take at least one course with each of the musicologists and ethnomusicologists on the graduate faculty and to explore offerings in theory, composition, and performance. Many students remain active as performers while at Cornell. 

1. Special Committee. Each doctoral student's program is supervised by a Special Committee chosen by the student, comprising a Chair and two or three minor members; the latter may include faculty from other fields of study. 

2. Residence. Normally at least six semesters of full-time study, although students average ten semesters in residence. 

3. Language. Reading proficiency in two foreign languages that are pertinent to the student's areas of specialization. This requirement must be satisfied before attempting the Admission-to-Candidacy Examination. Formerly, it was assumed that German and French or Italian were the most useful for general purposes, but this is no longer so clear across the board. Since studying a language is extremely time-consuming, students who have not already learned two suitable languages would be well advised to begin this work during the summer before they matriculate. 

4. Coursework. Usually students will take at least six semesters of courses, decided on in conjunction with the Special Committee. 

5. Admission-to-candidacy examination. This is a general examination in two parts (general musicology and a special field); it is intended to equip students both with general knowledge of the field as it pertains to their area of the discipline, and to develop the expertise necessary for writing a dissertation in their area of specialization. The exam must ordinarily be completed by the end of the sixth, and not later than the beginning of the seventh, semester of full-time study. (This examination normally also serves as the final examination for the M.A).  

6. Dissertation. The dissertation is a substantial scholarly work displaying independent thought and research on an original topic in any area of musical study, including history, criticism, aesthetics, analysis, theory, performance practice.  

7. Dissertation defense. This must be passed within seven calendar years of the date of matriculation unless an exception is granted by the Graduate School. Candidates need not be in residence as full-time students when the examination is taken.