The doctor of musical arts (D.M.A.) in music education is designed for
professional music educators who want to expand and refine their
teaching and musical skills and who seek to broaden their knowledge of
current music education research and practice. With courses offered
through the Graduate School of Education and the Department of Music,
the curriculum includes advanced studies in music education, theory,
history, and research, and in a cognate area of the student's choice.
The elective may be taken in such areas as performance, conducting,
musicology, educational administration, or another area related to
music education.
Required Course of Study
All requirements for the D.M.A. degree may be completed within five
years of continuous enrollment. They must be completed within seven
years. Exceptions to this time limit may be made with the approval of
both the graduate director and the dean. Upon matriculation, the
student must enroll in a minimum of 3 credits each semester until the
degree is completed. One semester's leave, which may be taken at any time
during the course of study, is allowed. Permission for the leave must
be arranged in advance with the graduate director, and the student must
register for Matriculation Continued for that semester. Additional leaves
will be permitted only in extraordinary circumstances.
The following requirements must be met:
1. Research: Four courses (12 credits)
2. Music education specialization: (9 credits). Includes
08:702:640 Doctoral Seminar in Music Education Curriculum (3 credits)
and two courses selected from the existing core courses for the M.M.
degree in music education. Students who already have earned credit for
these courses (Rutgers music education M.M. graduates) will substitute
6 credits of approved electives for this requirement.
3. Music
courses: Two courses (6 credits) in graduate-level music theory
and two courses (6 credits) in graduate-level music history
4. Cognate: Four courses (12 credits) selected in one specific
field related to music education. A maximum of 4 credits of ensemble
may count toward this requirement. Upon declaring a cognate area,
students must meet any specific entrance requirements and prerequisites
for that area.
5. Dissertation: 12 credits
6.
Special requirement: Students are required to undertake an
individual project that is designed and approved in consultation with a
faculty adviser. The focus and scope of the project will depend on the
student's interests and skills. It may be determined in part by the
selected cognate area.
Comprehensive Examinations
Candidates must pass written and oral comprehensive examinations in
music education and in their cognate area. The committee evaluating
written and oral examinations for students in the music education
option of the D.M.A. consists of five members. The panel will include
the graduate director, two members of the music education faculty, one
member of the faculty representing the student's cognate area, and one
member of the music department outside of music education. One of the
two members of the music education faculty will serve as chair of
the committee. Reexamination and appeal procedures mirror those
established for the D.M.A. in performance.
Dissertation Defense
A dissertation consisting of original research related to music
education and developed under faculty direction is required. A public
oral defense of the dissertation may be scheduled only after completion
of all other degree requirements. The dissertation committee will
consist of four faculty members, including at least one representative
from music education, two others from music and/or music education, and
one who is approved as an outside member. The outside member is
appointed by the graduate director in consultation with the student's
adviser. This person is expected to be a recognized authority on the
subject of the dissertation.
