Doctor of Musical Arts

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The Doctor of Musical Arts degree (D.M.A., or A.Mus.D.), like other doctorates, is a terminal academic degree. The D.M.A. is intended for musicians who wish to combine the highest attainments in their area of specialization with doctoral-level academic study in music. D.M.A. students typically complete applied studies culminating in several solo recitals, take courses within their area of specialization (as well as related courses in music theory and music history), and write a thesis or dissertation. Some programs additionally require study in a cognate area within music or in an outside field.

The D.M.A. program is generally designed to prepare students to be artist-performers, conductors, and composers in either university settings or in the professional arena. The D.M.A. (awarded by some institutions as a Doctor of Music, abbreviated D.M. or D.Mus.) is widely available in performance (sometimes with a specialization in pedagogy and/or literature), composition, and conducting. The D.M.A. in music education is less common; doctorates in music education are more commonly awarded as a Ph.D. and/or 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..