The D.M.A. is the terminal professional practical degree in music, designed for performers and conductors wishing to acquire the highest performance abilities. Graduates will have attained the academic qualifications generally accepted for teaching at the college level.
Entering students in the vocal performance track are expected to have appropriate language proficiencies in French, German, and Italian. Following acceptance into the doctoral program, students may be required to take the 702 theory and/or 704 history survey courses. Other review courses may be required upon recommendation of the advisor and committee.
Recitals and a final written project are planned in conjunction with the candidate’s committee, which consists of at least three graduate music faculty members: the advisor, a representative from academic studies, and at least one other member at large. In addition, there must be a graduate school representative who comes from an area outside of music.
Applications may be completed online at the NDSU Graduate School. A complete application will include three recommendations, transcripts and a scholarly writing example. Applicants should notify the graduate music coordinators, Dr. Jo Ann Miller or Dr. Charlette Moe, of their intention to apply. For applicants in performance and conducting, an on-campus visit and audition are required. Following acceptance into the master's program, applicants will complete a diagnostic exam, which will be used by their advisors to plan appropriate coursework. As a result of this diagnostic exam, students may be required to take the 702 Music Theory and/or 704 Music History survey courses.
All coursework must be passed with a minimum grade of B. Qualifying examinations in the student’s primary focus area and in academic studies must be passed near the end of or after coursework, and prior to a final oral examination by members of the candidate’s committee. All D.M.A. graduates must have reading proficiency in at least one foreign language. For some, an alternative such as a computer language or other research skill, if appropriate to the student’s focus area, may be substituted. This proficiency will be determined and assessed by the candidate’s committee. Further, students in Choral Conducting must demonstrate proficiency in foreign language diction.
Two tracks are offered: Performance and Conducting. Each track requires a minimum of 90 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree (93 for the D.M.A. in choral conducting). Students entering the program with an approved master’s degree or its equivalent may apply credits toward the D.M.A. The graduate music faculty will determine the viability and number of transfer credits.
Course requirements for vocal performance, instrumental performance, piano performance, collaborative piano, choral conducting, and instrumental conducting.
Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance
| Course | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 709 | Ensemble Performance (1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1) | 10 |
| MUSC 731 | Applied Study (4,4,4,4,4,4) | 24 |
| MUSC 748 | Music Bibliography and Research Methods | 2 |
| MUSC 780 | Recitals (4,4,4) | 12 |
| MUSC 789 | D.M.A. Thesis (1,1,1,1) | 4 |
| History/Theory* | To be taken from*: MUSC 611 Form and Analysis MUSC 630 Counterpoint MUSC 631 Contemporary Harmonic Techniques MUSC 634 Analytical Techniques MUSC 740 Medieval/Renaissance History MUSC 741 Baroque and Classical Music History MUSC 743 Romantic Music History MUSC 744 20th Century Music History |
14 |
| Pedagogy | MUSC 721 Vocal Pedagogy | 6 |
| Literature | MUSC 767 Vocal Lit I: Baroque/Classic MUSC 768 Vocal Lit II: Romantic MUSC 769 Vocal Lit III: 20th Cent./Contemporary |
9 |
| Electives | (In consultation with advisor) | 9 |
| Total | 90 |
*At least one course must be taken from MUSC 611-634; at least one course must be taken from MUSC 740-744.
Doctor of Musical Arts in Instrumental Performance
Available for Clarinet, Percussion, Saxophone, and Trumpet.
| Course | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 709 | Ensemble Performance (1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1) | 10 |
| MUSC 731 | Applied Study (4,4,4,4,4,4) | 24 |
| MUSC 748 | Music Bibliography and Research Methods | 2 |
| MUSC 780 | Recitals (4,4,4) | 12 |
| MUSC 789 | D.M.A. Thesis (1,1,1,1) | 4 |
| History/Theory* | To be taken from*: MUSC 611 Form and Analysis MUSC 630 Counterpoint MUSC 631 Contemporary Harmonic Techniques MUSC 634 Analytical Techniques MUSC 740 Medieval/Renaissance History MUSC 741 Baroque and Classical Music History MUSC 743 Romantic Music History MUSC 744 20th Century Music History |
14 |
| Pedagogy/Literature | Minimum six credits in each: MUSC 722 Applied Instrumental Pedagogy MUSC 764 Applied Instrumental Literature |
15 |
| Electives | (In consultation with advisor) | 9 |
| Total | 90 |
*At least one course must be taken from MUSC 611-634; at least one course must be taken from MUSC 740-744.
Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance
| Course | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
MUSC 709* |
Ensemble Performance (1,1,1,1)* |
4* |
MUSC 731 |
Applied Study (4,4,4,4,4,4,2,2) |
28 |
MUSC 748 |
Music Bibliography and Research Methods |
2 |
MUSC 780 |
Recitals (3,3,3,3) |
12 |
MUSC 789 |
D.M.A. Thesis (1,1,1,1) |
4 |
| History/Theory** | To be taken from:** MUSC 611 Form and Analysis MUSC 631 Contemporary Harmonic Techniques MUSC 634 Analytical Techniques MUSC 740 Medieval/Renaissance History MUSC 741 Baroque and Classical Music History MUSC 743 Romantic Music History MUSC 744 20th Century Music History |
14** |
Pedagogy/Literature |
To be taken from: |
15 |
Electives |
(in consultation with advisor) |
11 |
Total |
90 |
* At least 3 credits of MUSC 709 must be earned while in residence at NDSU.
** At least one course must be taken from MUSC 611-634; at least one course must be taken from MUSC 740-744.
Doctor of Musical Arts in Collaborative Piano
| Course | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 731 | Applied Study (4,4,4,4,2,2) | 20 |
| MUSC 748 | Music Bibliography and Research Methods | 2 |
| MUSC 750 | Studies in Collaborative Piano (2,2,2,2) | 8 |
| MUSC 780 | Recitals (3,3,3,3) | 12 |
| MUSC 789 | D.M.A. Thesis (1,1,1,1) | 4 |
| History/Theory* | To be taken from:* MUSC 611 Form and Analysis MUSC 630 Counterpoint MUSC 631 Contemporary Harmonic Techniques MUSC 634 Analytical Techniques MUSC 740 Medieval/Renaissance History MUSC 741 Baroque and Classical Music History MUSC 743 Romantic Music History MUSC 744 20th Century Music History |
14* |
| Pedagogy/Literature | To be taken from:
MUSC 643 Keyboard Literature MUSC 723 Advanced Piano Pedagogy MUSC 724 Topics in Piano Pedagogy MUSC 770 Topics in Keyboard Literature |
6 |
| Vocal or Instrumental Specialization | To be taken from:
FREN 101/102/201/202** GERM 101/102/201/202** MUSC 642 Opera Literature MUSC 705 Graduate Diction Survey I MUSC 706 Graduate Diction Survey II MUSC 709 Graduate Ensemble MUSC 764 Applied Instrumental Literature MUSC 767 Vocal Lit I: Baroque/Classic MUSC 768 Vocal Lit II: Romantic MUSC 769 Vocal Lit III: 20th Cent./Contemporary |
16-19** |
| Electives | (in consultation with advisor) | 9 |
| Total | 91-94 |
* At least one course must be taken from MUSC 611-634; at least one course must be taken from MUSC 740-744.
** Credits earned in undergraduate language courses will not count toward degree totals.
Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting
| Course | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 709 | Ensemble Performance (1,1,1,1,1,1) | 6 |
| MUSC 731 | Applied Study (4,4,4,4,4) Choral Conducting students may substitute 2 registrations of MUSC 733 Choral Studies and Pedagogy for a total of 4 credits. |
20 |
| MUSC 748 | Music Bibliography and Research Methods | 2 |
| MUSC 780 | Recitals (4,4,4) | 12 |
| MUSC 789 | D.M.A. Thesis (1,1,1,1) | 4 |
| History/Theory* | To be taken from*: MUSC 611 Form and Analysis MUSC 630 Counterpoint MUSC 631 Contemporary Harmonic Techniques MUSC 634 Analytical Techniques MUSC 740 Medieval/Renaissance History MUSC 741 Baroque and Classical Music History MUSC 743 Romantic Music History MUSC 744 20th Century Music History |
14 |
| Literature | MUSC 760 Medieval/Renaissance Choral Lit. MUSC 761 Baroque Choral Literature MUSC 762 Classical/Romantic Choral Literature MUSC 763 20th Century/Contemporary Choral Lit |
6-12 |
| Cognate | Courses determined with advisor from Conducting, Music Education, Academic Studies and Performance | 15 |
| Electives | (In consultation with advisor) | 4 |
| Total | 90 |
*At least one course must be taken from MUSC 611-634; at least one course must be taken from MUSC 740-744.
Doctor of Musical Arts in Instrumental Conducting
| Course | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 709 | Ensemble Performance (1,1,1,1,1,1) | 6 |
| MUSC 731 | Applied Study (4,4,4,4,4) | 20 |
| MUSC 748 | Music Bibliography and Research Methods | 2 |
| MUSC 780 | Recitals (4,4,4) | 12 |
| MUSC 789 | D.M.A. Thesis (1,1,1,1) | 4 |
| History/Theory* | To be taken from*: MUSC 611 Form and Analysis MUSC 630 Counterpoint MUSC 631 Contemporary Harmonic Techniques MUSC 634 Analytical Techniques MUSC 740 Medieval/Renaissance History MUSC 741 Baroque and Classical Music History MUSC 743 Romantic Music History MUSC 744 20th Century Music History |
15 |
| Literature | MUSC 765 Band Lit: History/Development MUSC 766 Band Lit: Chamber Music |
6 |
| Cognate | Courses determined with advisor from Conducting, Music Education, Academic Studies and Performance | 15 |
| Electives | (In consultation with advisor) | 10 |
| Total | 90 |
*At least one course must be taken from MUSC 611-634; at least one course must be taken from MUSC 740-744.