Laurier introduces first-of-its-kind PhD in Music with fields in Community Music and Music Therapy

Oct. 20, 2022
For Immediate Release

WATERLOO – Wilfrid Laurier University’s Faculty of Music is excited to announce a new, first-of-its-kind PhD in Music with fields in Community Music and Music Therapy. 

Built around the themes of music, health, community and culture, this four-year degree will benefit students interested in mastering their research skills and looking to make their mark in the fields of music therapy or community music. Research pursuits are limitless, but may include music and wellness, music performance and transforming communities, music therapy interventions, music and the brain, global music practices, activism in health and well-being, music and aging, and music-medicine.

“This program is uniquely designed and provides students with the expertise, resources and experience to develop themselves as leading researchers in community music or music therapy,” said Professor Lee Willingham, co-coordinator of Laurier’s PhD in Music: Community Music. “Rather than mandatory courses, students will participate in doctoral special seminar topics throughout the year, covering a wide range of academic and practical themes.”

Laurier’s Faculty of Music is a well-established leader in the fields of community music and music therapy. Distinguishing itself from most graduate programs, the university’s new PhD in Music will take an interdisciplinary learning approach based on a doctoral action plan, problem-based learning, peer learning and doctoral special seminar topics. The addition of intensive, topical doctoral special seminar topics and collaborative peer groups will replace traditional course-based programs, serving to produce strong, independent researchers and practitioners.

“I'm looking forward to launching many innovative and groundbreaking research projects with our future PhD students,” said Professor Heidi Ahonen, co-coordinator of the PhD in Music: Music Therapy. “There is no doubt our doctoral students will leave a lasting impression in the international research community, positively impacting the discipline of music therapy as well as the credibility of clinical work and practice.”

“The PhD in Music and its innovative design will be highly attractive to students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree and their research opportunities will be enhanced by the faculty’s well-recognized strengths in community music and music therapy,” said Professor Brent Wolfe, acting associate vice-president and dean of Laurier's Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. “This program adds significantly to the suite of excellent post-graduate programs offered by the Faculty of Music at Laurier.”

Applicants must successfully complete an acceptable master's program or demonstrate life experience in pertinent aspects of community music or music therapy, along with meeting all other admission requirements. The faculty anticipates applicants will represent a variety of perspectives and backgrounds and possess a fundamental interest in the intersections of music and health.

Laurier’s PhD in Music with fields in Community Music and Music Therapy will welcome its first students in September 2023. For more information, including a full list of admission requirements, please email choosemusic@wlu.ca.