A Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a graduate program for professional musicians or teachers. Candidates must have an undergraduate degree in music and may need to complete a master’s program. The program includes lectures, seminars, and tutorials on music theory, history, and composition. Students must write a dissertation or produce a musical composition and pass all exams to graduate. Some schools require non-music related courses, and there are time limits for degree completion.
A Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) course is a graduate program designed for individuals who want to become professional musicians or teachers. Someone wishing to enroll in one of these courses must first complete an undergraduate degree in music, and many schools also require doctoral candidates to have completed a master’s program in the discipline. Many colleges require candidates for doctoral degrees in musical arts to successfully pass a written or practical exam before being admitted to the college. Thereafter, the program typically lasts for several years and the composition of the course depends in part on the student’s area of interest.
Typically, a doctoral program in musical arts includes several semesters of lectures, seminars, and tutorials during which students learn about music theory, history, composition, and other related subjects. Many colleges allow students to specialize by focusing on one element of music at some point in the program, but in most cases all students are required to study certain major topics. During history sessions, students learn about prominent composers and different styles of music such as classical, romantic, and baroque. Theory classes focus on song structure and techniques for performing or composing melodies and songs. As the name suggests, composition lectures and seminars are designed to teach students how to write music in many different styles.
Typically, people enrolled in doctoral programs are required to write a dissertation, and composing this document can take months or even years. A musical arts student doctor might write a dissertation on a topic like 20th century music or the cultural influences on certain styles of music. At some colleges, students have the option of producing a musical composition instead of writing a dissertation. In these cases, the music in question might be a long orchestral piece involving several different types of instruments. Other students may take driving or performance classes and exams as an alternative to writing a dissertation.
To graduate with a doctorate in musical arts, a student must successfully complete all written courses and all practical exams. Some colleges require course participants to complete course units in non-music related topics, such as foreign languages or classes in arts related subjects. Final grades are usually assigned by a committee of academics and faculty, and people who do not achieve a passing grade may be given the opportunity to appeal or retake certain units. In some schools, however, there are rules that set maximum time limits for these degree programs.
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