Doctor of Musical Arts in Rochester United States | University of Rochester

The DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) degree recognizes exceptional achievement in musical performance and instruction. To qualify, applicants must exhibit outstanding artistic ability coupled with superior intellectual capacity. Students can pursue composition and music education tracks either through the graduate professional studies division (DMA program) or the graduate research studies division. These programs differ in focus and curriculum requirements. For admission, DMA applicants must complete an instrumental or vocal audition, while PhD candidates are exempt from this requirement. The DMA program uniquely emphasizes hands-on musical application across all specializations. Both composition and music education concentrations incorporate significant performance elements in the DMA curriculum, contrasting with the PhD program's approach. Full-time students generally complete the DMA degree in approximately three and a half years.