Doctor of Arts in Music

The doctor of arts in music (DA) degree is designed to prepare superior musicians for careers in college teaching. The philosophy of the program is to integrate in-depth preparation in one of the traditional disciplines of music with general studies in the remaining fields of music and several supervised teaching experiences at the college level. Graduates will be effective and productive artists and scholars qualified to teach specific music disciplines at the college level and to assume the more diverse responsibilities characteristic of faculty positions at small colleges and universities. The program requires a total of 90 graduate credits beyond the bachelor’s degree. The School of Music core includes foundational course work in music education, research methods, music theory, and music history.

The area of primary emphasis may be in music performance, conducting, piano chamber music/accompanying, music theory and composition, or music education. The area of secondary emphasis may be in music performance, piano chamber music/accompanying, conducting, music theory and composition, music history and musicology, music education, entrepreneurial studies in music, or an area outside the School of Music in a subject that relates to the primary field of study.

The area of college teaching and learning includes a college teaching internship and an externship, and courses in such subjects as the role of music in college education, teaching music for the listener/non major, or music theory pedagogy.

Comprehensive written and oral exams are taken near the end of required coursework.  The dissertation, which may take the form of a traditional written document or a substantial lecture recital,  will make an original contribution to knowledge in the primary or secondary field. The dissertation may result in innovative teaching materials or methods, annotated catalogs of repertoire, research focused on a problem identifiable with college teaching, original scores or digital media materials, in-depth historical or theoretical analyses, performance and lecture on new or not widely known repertoire, or professional-grade recorded performances.  No matter the type, each dissertation contains an original contribution and a substantial and substantive written component, and must be proposed and defended.

Further information about the DA is contained in the School of Music Graduate Handbook, available from the School of Music website.

90 credits

Degree Requirements

DA Degree requirements, both tracks

Primary area of study	24 cr.
Secondary area of study	15 cr.
Supplemental studies	18 cr.
College teaching/learning	17 cr.
Electives	6 cr.
Dissertation	10 cr.
Total credits	90 cr.