Academic Programs in Music Cognition

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Welcome to our academic programs page. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of our field, most of our researchers and members have degrees in multiple fields or work in various departments.

In general, if you wish to research music cognition, we suggest choosing a related major that you're interested in (psychology, music, neuroscience, etc.). Then search the Map of SMPC Music Cognition Labs for labs in your area or chosen institution and reach out to ask about options for joining the lab.

• In many cases, you can work at a lab as a major in music, psychology, neuroscience, or related fields. Most of these institutions will have a faculty member that can advise you on a research project, will teach one or two courses in music psychology, and can get your started on your way. 
• At some schools, the degree titles may be generic (i.e. BA in Psychology) but due to a heavy emphasis on music cognition research at the school, you are able to take a variety of courses related to music cognition or create your own specialization.

Specialized degrees in music cognition have been emerging, which are listed below under Academic Programs in Music Cognition. These programs will have highly interdisciplinary coursework and often require fulfilling the requirements of either a psychology or music degree.

(To add a listing, please email the SMPC webmaster: webmaster [a] musicperception.org)

CURRENT OPENINGS AND NEWS:

(Posted by descending due date; Postings without due dates posted last)

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS IN MUSIC COGNITION:

Listed below are programs that lead to a title/specialization in music cognition or related fields (at the bachelor degree level or above).

Note: Technology, engineering, computer science, and acoustics degrees are listed if the curriculum focuses on music cognition research or similar applications.

Canada

• McMaster University (Hamilton, ON):

• BA in Psychology/Neuroscience/Behavior with Music Cognition Specialization (Psychology Department)
• BM in Music Cognition (Music Department)
• BSc in Psychology/Neuroscience/Behavior with Music Cognition Specialization (Psychology Department)

• McGill University (Montreal, QC):

• MA in Music Technology (School of Music)
• PhD in Music Technology (School of Music)

USA

• Carnegie Mellon (Pittsburgh, PA):

• BS in Music & Technology (School of Music)
• MS in Music & Technology with Electrical Engineering or Computer Science Emphasis (School of Music)

• Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, GA):

• BS in Music Technology with Concentration in Acoustics and Vibrations (School of Music)
• MS in Music Technology (School of Music)
• PhD in Music Technology (School of Music)

• Northeastern University (Boston, MA): BS in Music and Psychology (College of Arts, Media, and Design)

• Northwestern University (Chicago, IL):

• BM in Music Cognition (School of Music)
• PhD in Music Theory and Cognition (School of Music)

• Peabody Institute (Baltimore, MD):

• MA in Acoustical Studies (School of Music)
• MM in Computer Music - Research and Technology Track (School of Music)

• Penn State University (State College, PA):

• M. Eng., MS, and PhD in Acoustics (College of Engineering)

• University of Hartford (Hartford, CT):

• BSE in Acoustical Engineering and Music (College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture/School of Music)
• BSME in Mechanical Engineering with Acoustics Concentration (College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture)

• University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign, IL): BS in Computer Science and Music (School of Music)

• University of Rochester (Rochester, NY):

• MS in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Musical Acoustics and Signal Processing (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering)
• PhD in Electrical Engineering with a concentration in Audio and Acoustics (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering)

Continental Europe

• Aalborg University (Denmark): MsC in Sound and Music Computing (Engineering Department)
• Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe (Germany):

• BA in Music Informatics and Musicology (Institute for Music Informatics and Musicology)
• MA in Music Informatics (Institute for Music Informatics and Musicology)

• Sorbonne Université (France): Master in Science & Technology for Music (Computer Science or Engineering)
• Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona, Spain): Master in Sound and Music Computing (Department of Information & Communication Technology)

UK

• University of Leeds: BA/MA Music and Psychology (School of Music)
• Durham University: MA in Music and Science (Music Department)
• Goldsmiths University of London: MsC in Music, Mind & Brain (Psychology Department)
• Queen Mary University of London: MsC in Sound and Music Computing (Department of Computer and Data Science)

• Royal College of Music London:

• MsC in Performance Science (College of Music and Centre for Performance Science)
• PhD in Performance Science (College of Music and Centre for Performance Science)

• The University of Sheffield:

• MA in Psychology of Music (Department of Music)
• MA in Psychology in Education, Performance, and Wellbeing (Department of Music; Distance Learning)
• PhD in Psychology of Music (Department of Music)

• The University of York: MA in Psychology of Music (Department of Music) 

• University of Southhampton: BsC in Acoustics with Music ( 

RECOMMENDED GRADUATE PROGRAM SEARCH RESOURCES:

Programs 

• Map of SMPC Music Cognition Labs
• Society for Education, Music, and Psychology Research (SEMPRE) Courses and Studies Directory
• International Society for Music Information Retrieval: Research Laboratories
• Sound and Music Computing: Research Centers
• MajoringinMusic.com

• Academic Jobs Wiki: Dissertation Fellowships Database

CAREER AND PERSONAL ADVICE/MENTORSHIP:

General

• The Professor Is In 
• Berklee College Careers in the Performing Arts Database
• Society for Music Theory: Professional Development Committee
• IEEE Signal Processing Society Students & Young Professionals Community

Minority Mentorship Programs

• Women in Music Information Retrieval
• Society for Music Theory: Committee for the Status of Women Mentoring Programs
• Society for Music Theory: Committee on Race and Ethnicity Mentoring
• Disability Studies at the American Musicological Society and Society for Music Theory Support Networks
• Black in Neuro 
 

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