Choral Conducting, D.M.A.

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Doctor of Musical Arts

The Doctor of Musical Arts degree program is designed to develop the complete musician, emphasizing both the highest level of musicianship and practical scholarly insight. Each curriculum is intended to prepare the respective candidate for a career at the most advanced level of performance, teaching, or composition.

Completion of the D.M.A. usually takes a minimum of two full years beyond the master’s degree. The first year should be spent in residence, implying full-time status with a minimum course load of 9 credits per semester. One summer session prior to residence is permitted. Doctor of Musical Arts programs must be completed within seven years from the date of matriculation.

The D.M.A. consists of an area of concentration and an elective minor area.

Piano majors require 28 hours of accompanying or comparable assignment with an instrumental performing organization.

Total credits for degree: 55–67

See note ¹

Major Area (34 credits)

CON - Private conducting lessons 4 credit(s) (four semesters-16 credits) ²
ENS/CON - Ensembles and/or additional private lessons 10 credit(s)
REC 860 - Recital (D.M.A.) 2 credit(s) ³
REC 861 - Recital (D.M.A.) 2 credit(s) ³
Performing organization (each semester) 0 credit(s)
TE 640 or TE 641 - Doctoral Essay 2 credit(s)

Other Studies (21-39 credits)

TH - Music theory electives 6 credit(s) ⁴
HLM 615 - Pro-seminar in Music History 3 credit(s) ⁵
HLM - Music history electives 6 credit(s)
Minor area or electives 6–18 credit(s) ⁶

Note(s):

¹Language requirement: Ability to translate from Italian, French, and German, and be able to translate a song or aria text of moderate difficulty, with the help of a dictionary.

²Additional private lessons beyond four semesters incur an extra fee.

³One recital and one lecture recital. The topic of the lecture recital must be approved by the Graduate Studies Committee.

⁴TH 611 , TH 612 , TH 613 , TH 614 - Graduate Ear Training Review Requirement (must be taken first if required per placement exam).

⁵HLM 611 , HLM 612 , HLM 613 - Graduate Music History Review: Romantic and Early 20th-Century Music (must be taken first if required per placement exam).

⁶Declaration of a minor area must be approved by the department offering courses in the minor area. Up to 9 credits may be applied from previous graduate work. Students who have fulfilled their history or theory requirements through their minor may substitute free electives toward minimum credit requirements.

Additional other studies courses may be required if deficiencies are discovered as a result of a diagnostic placement exam.

HLM 611 , HLM 612 , and HLM 613 , and TH 611 , TH 612 , TH 613 , and TH 614 do not fulfill requirements in music history or music theory.