Doctor of Musical Arts Degree

COMPOSITION

For students starting Fall 2012 or later

Prerequisites and Entrance Requirements

The applicant must be accepted as a graduate student by the music school and must have a master's degree from an accredited institution. The applicant must submit to the advisory committee original compositions demonstrating experience and superior talent as a composer capable of independent work. A full score, plus a recording (if available), should be submitted for each composition. These compositions should normally include:

1. a major work that was the applicant's master's thesis;

2. another major work for large instrumental and/or vocal forces;

3. a chamber work; and

4. a vocal work, either for chorus or solo voice.

As stated in the Admission Process section above, four letters of recommendation, from composers or the applicant's former composition teachers.

Prior to the first semester of enrollment, the applicant will be given (1) a written placement examination in music history, (2) a written placement examination in music theory, and (3) DMA entrance examinations, consisting of two parts and given on the same day, in (a) ear training, sight singing, score reading, keyboard skills (2 hours); (b) orchestration, analysis, and counterpoint (3 hours).

Program of Study

Based on the results of the DMA entrance examinations, the advisory committee, in conference with the student, will arrange a program of study of 54 to 72 semester hours beyond the master's degree. The courses to be completed as part of the degree requirements will be communicated to the student in writing.

Graduation Requirements

Comprehensive Examinations (COMP 698; 699 w/o classes) (written and oral; 0 semester hours).  The comprehensive examinations may be scheduled, with approval of the student's advisory committee, following the completion of coursework. The examination consists of a written and oral portion. The written portion will be scheduled during the regular university time for comprehensive examinations offered every semester. The student must schedule the oral portion of the comprehensive examination within three weeks after the successful completion of the written portion. 

DMA Research Document (MUS 905A; 0 semester hours; no grade).  The DMA document is an article-length (ca. 10,000 words, excluding footnotes and bibliography) scholarly essay of original research undertaken while in residence in the doctoral program, on a topic approved by the candidate's advisory committee.  The candidate must submit a formal DMA document proposal to the committee for approval after having been admitted to candidacy.  In order to be admitted to candidacy, the student must pass the comprehensive examinations and must be recommended by the faculty in the area of study.

DMA Composition Recital (MUS 905B; 0 semester hours; pass-fail).  The DMA recital is to be an original program of 30-45 minutes of solo and chamber music composed while in residence in the DMA Composition program.  The program is subject to approval by the student's advisory committee and must be submitted at least one month in advance of the proposed recital date.

DMA Dissertation Composition (MUS 905C; 0 semester hours; no grade).  The dissertation composition is an original work of 20-30 minutes' duration, for large ensemble, to be approved by the student's advisory committee.

Applied Study in the DMA Composition Program

With the composition advisor's permission, and by audition, a DMA student may substitute up to 12 semester hours of applied music instruction (MUPI) for music electives.  The student must be accepted for graduate-level study on the applied instrument or voice by the applied faculty, and must take a jury every semester in which credit is sought.

Minor in Latin American Music

The advisory committee, in conference with the student, will arrange a program of study of 54 to 72 semester hours beyond the master's degree, which will include at least 12 semester hours of Latin American music electives. The DMA research document and/or the dissertation composition should be based on Latin American subject matter.  In addition, the recital should include at least one composition related to a Latin American topic.

Minor in Musicology

The advisory committee, in conference with the student, will arrange a program of study of 54 to 72 semester hours beyond the master's degree, which will include at least 12 semester hours of musicology courses beyond the minimum number of hours already required for the degree. Three of those semester hours must be Research Methodology (MUS 731), unless the student has taken a similar course for the master's degree. At the conclusion of coursework, the student will take a written, four-hour minor comprehensive examination (based on four musicology courses selected by the student).