Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) Composition
The Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree in Composition requires 61 credit hours of graduate-level coursework distributed into the categories listed below. Selections must be approved by your doctoral committee.
Contacts:
- Area Coordinator: Alan Street, dastreet@ku.edu or 785-864-9748
- Graduate Student Academic Services: musicgrad@ku.edu or 785-864-1952
A list of all course offerings can be found on the Schedule of Classes. To track progress, please download the degree progress check sheet (.pdf).
Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA): Composition Program Guide
Prerequisites
Must be cleared in accordance with school and area policies
Music History
Check | Course |
---|---|
Medieval : Exam / MUSC 474 | |
Renaissance : Exam / MUSC 475 | |
Baroque : Exam / MUSC 476 | |
Classical : Exam / MUSC 477 | |
Romantic : Exam / MUSC 478 | |
20th Century : Exam / MUSC 479 |
Music Theory
Check | Course |
---|---|
Harmony : Exam / MTHC 400 | |
Aural Skills : Exam / MTHC 402 | |
Form : Exam / MTHC 404 | |
20th Century : Exam / MTHC 406 |
Music Core
Research Skills (3 hours)
Waiver or equivalent course accepted with approval
Course | Hrs | Term | Grade |
---|---|---|---|
MUSC 801 | 3 |
Advanced Musicology (9 hours)
Course | Hrs | Term | Grade |
---|---|---|---|
MUSC | 3 | ||
MUSC | 3 | ||
MUSC | 3 |
Major Area
Advanced Composition (16 hours)
Course | Hrs | Term | Grade |
---|---|---|---|
MTHC 953 | |||
MTHC 953 | |||
MTHC 953 | |||
MTHC 953 | |||
MTHC 953 | |||
MTHC 953 |
Advanced Music Theory & Composition (9 hours)
Course | Hrs | Term | Grade |
---|---|---|---|
MTHC | 3 | ||
MTHC | 3 | ||
MTHC | 3 |
Pedagogy and Repertoire (6 hours)
Course | Hrs | Term | Grade |
---|---|---|---|
MTHC 743 | |||
MTHC 840 |
Dissertation (16 hours)
Course | Hrs | Term | Grade |
---|---|---|---|
MTHC 999 | |||
MTHC 999 | |||
MTHC 999 | |||
MTHC 999 | |||
MTHC 999 | |||
MTHC 999 |
Composition Recital (2 hours)
Course | Hrs | Term | Grade |
---|---|---|---|
MTHC 965 | 2 |
Written Qualifying Exams
Must be completed prior to scheduling the Oral Comprehensive Exam
Exam | Date | Result |
---|---|---|
Music History | ||
Music Theory | ||
Major Field |
University-Level Exams
Exam Authorization forms should be submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of the exam date
Exam | Date | Result |
---|---|---|
Oral Comps Exam | ||
Final Oral Exam |
Graduate Advisory Committee
Minimum of 5 faculty members for doctoral committees
Name | Position |
---|---|
Chair (B&P) | |
Brass & Perc. | |
MUSC / MTHC | |
Music | |
Grad Studies Rep. | |
Other (optional) |
Graduation Requirements
Check | Requirement |
---|---|
60 Total Graduate Credit Hours | |
3.0 Cumulative Graduate GPA | |
Applied for Graduation in Enroll & Pay | |
Complete Exam Authorization Form (.pdf) (at least two weeks prior to exam date) | |
Submit thesis to ProQuest/KU Scholar Works for publication | |
Complete the Doctoral Completion Survey and send the Certificate of Completion to musicgrad@ku.edu | |
Submit ETD release form | |
Send signed Title & Acceptance pages to musicgrad@ku.edu | |
Verify all recital programs are on file at musicgrad@ku.edu |
Optional Cognate (12 hours)
Credits may count towards MUSC/MTHC or Elective requirements. Area:
Course | Hrs | Term | Grade |
---|---|---|---|
Transfer or Master's Reduction Credit(s)
Up to 6 credits of MTHC/MUSC courses may be counted as a reduction in the credit hours required for the DMA. Additional transfer credits may count towards electives.
Course | Hrs | Term | Grade |
---|---|---|---|