Program Overview
The Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree from the Mead Witter School of Music is the highest degree in music, focusing on specialized performance and research. Students engage in advanced applied study, musicology, theory, and a minor field, culminating in a doctoral performance and original research project. The program's flexible structure allows for customization based on the student's major performance specialty.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree is the highest degree conferred by the Mead Witter School of Music. The DMA is granted for evidence of general proficiency and distinctive attainment in a specialized field of performance. The student's ability in independent investigation is demonstrated through a series of public recital performances and in a final project presenting original research and creative scholarship.
Outline:
Content:
- Applied study in the field of major specialty
- Related courses in the major specialty
- Musicology and theory courses
- Minor field of study
- Proficiency in at least one foreign language
Structure:
- Every major pathway varies slightly.
- Course and proficiency requirements include a minor field of study outside the student's major performance specialty.
- The core of the degree program is the doctoral candidate's Doctoral Performance and Research.
Course Schedule:
- Course lists are available through the Requirements tab for details.
Individual Modules with Descriptions:
- Doctoral Level Applied Instrument Study: 4 semesters, 4 credits each semester. Select course corresponding to the major instrument.
- Doctoral Level Conducting: 8 semesters required.
- Doctoral Level Piano Accompanying Applied Study: 8 semesters, 2 credits each semester.
- Doctoral Composition Applied Study: 12 semesters, 3 credits each semester.
- Doctoral Level Organ Applied Study: 16 semesters, 4 credits each semester.
- Doctoral Level Percussion Applied Study: 16 semesters, 4 credits each semester.
- Doctoral Level Piano Performance Applied Study: 16 semesters, 4 credits each semester.
- Doctoral Level String Applied Study: 16 semesters, 4 credits each semester.
- Doctoral Level Voice Applied Study: 16 semesters, 4 credits each semester.
- Doctoral Level Wind Conducting Applied Study: 8 semesters, 2 credits each semester.
- Doctoral Level Woodwind Performance Applied Study: 16 semesters, 4 credits each semester.
Assessment:
Methods:
- Evaluations in individual classes
- Preliminary examinations
- Comprehensive examinations
- DMA project
Criteria:
- Currency and knowledge of the major field and the minor area of study
- Readiness to embark on the final stage of research
- Original creative work
- Significant written portion presenting the goals, methodology, and results of the research