Doctor of Music (D.M.A.) – Composition
Prerequisites and Entrance Requirements
The applicant must be accepted as a graduate student and must have a master's degree from an accredited institution. The applicant must submit to the composition faculty a portfolio of 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 include:
- a major work that was the applicant's master's thesis;
- another major work for large instrumental and/or vocal forces;
- a chamber work, and
- a vocal work, either for chorus or solo voice.
In addition to the portfolio, the applicant must also complete an interview with the composition faculty as part of the audition process. This interview is typically conducted in-person or via video chat on audition days.
As stated in the Admission Process section here, the composition faculty must receive two 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.
Program of Study
The advisory committee, in consultation 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.
| Program of Study |
Semester Hours |
| Composition Private instruction (six semesters) |
18 |
| DMA Composition Colloquium MUS 829 (enrollment required each semester in residence) |
0 |
| Research Methodology MUS 731 |
3 |
| Music Theory (by advisement) |
12 |
| Music History (by advisement) |
9 |
| Music Electives |
12 |
| Comprehensive Examinations (see below under Graduation Requirements) |
0 |
| DMA Composition Research Document MUS 905A (see below under Graduation Requirements) |
0 |
| DMA Composition Recital MUS 905B (see below under Graduation Requirements) |
0 |
| DMA Composition Dissertation MUS 905C (see below under Graduation Requirements) |
0 |
Graduation Requirements
Comprehensive Examinations (MUS 998A; MUS 998B w/o classes) (written and oral; 0 semester hours). The comprehensive examinations may be scheduled, with the approval of the student's advisory committee, following the completion of all credit-bearing 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 a 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 consultation 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 consultation 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 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).