The Doctor of Musical Arts degree (D.M.A., D.Mus.A. or A.Mus.D. ) is a doctoral academic degree in music. The D.M.A. combines advanced studies in an applied area of specialization (usually music performance, composition, or conducting) with graduate-level academic study in subjects such as music history, music theory, or music pedagogy. The D.M.A. degree, which takes about three years of full-time study to complete, prepares students to be professional performers, conductors, and composers. As a terminal degree, the D.M.A. enables its recipient to be competitive for university, college, and conservatory teaching and research positions.
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Types of D.M.A. degrees
The D.M.A. is widely available in performance (sometimes with a specialization in pedagogy and/or literature), composition, and conducting. In 2005, Boston University launched an online D.M.A. program (along with a Master of Music program) in music education, the only online program at this level[1]. Some universities awarding doctoral degrees in these areas use the title Doctor of Music (D.M. or D.Mus.) instead of D.M.A. The D.M.A. in music education is less common. Doctorates in music education are more commonly awarded as a Ph.D., an Ed.D, or as a Doctor of Music Education (D.M.E.). The terminal degree in music theory, musicology, and ethnomusicology is typically the Ph.D..
Components of degree
D.M.A. students typically complete applied studies, such as lessons or mentoring with a professor, and take courses within their area of specialization. In many D.M.A. programs, all of the different D.M.A. streams (e.g., performance, composition, conducting) take a common core of music theory and music history courses. Many D.M.A. programs require students to pass a comprehensive exam on their area of specialization and on subjects such as music history and music theory. The last stage of the D.M.A. degree is usually the completion of a thesis, dissertation, or research project and the performance of recitals, usually including at least one lecture-recital. Some programs additionally require a sub-specialization in a cognate area within music, such as music history or performance practice, which contributes to their area of specialization. For example, a student doing a D.M.A. in Baroque violin might do a sub-specialization in Baroque music history. Some institutions permit D.M.A. students to do a sub-specialization in a field outside music that contributes to their professional and academic goals. For example, a student completing a D.M.A. in piano pedagogy may be able to do a sub-specialization in the university's department of psychology (e.g., on the psychology of learning and memory); a student completing a D.M.A. in electronic composition may be permitted to do a sub-specialization in the department of computer engineering (e.g., in computer programming).
Admission requirements
To be admitted to a D.M.A. degree program, most institutions require a M.Mus. degree or an M.A. degree in music or a related field, usually with a grade average of "B+" or higher. In rare cases, some schools will conditionally admit a gifted student with a highly-respected B.Mus. degree (e.g., a virtuoso performer with a B.Mus. from the Juilliard School). D.M.A. programs in performance usually require an audition that includes advanced pieces from a wide range of styles. Admission to doctoral programs in conducting often require a video recording of a live rehearsals and performances as a pre-screening element. Composition programs usually require the submission of a portfolio of compositions, including scores and recordings of live performances. Usually, admission is not granted until the applicant completes a series of tests in music history, theory, and sometimes ear-training; since admission into the program presupposes a thorough command of essential musical principles. Often, the knowledge of a second language - one of languages of major influence in music history (such as German, French, Italian, Spanish, or Russian) - is required to complete the degree.
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