Suggested Plan of Study 

The Doctor of Music Arts in Choral Conducting provides advanced students with the opportunity to achieve the highest levels of artistic excellence and scholarly competence and to develop the capacity to make significant contributions to knowledge and performance in their field.  The program has three elements: 

1. a thorough knowledge in the area of concentration;
2. supportive studies that provide a broad general knowledge of the discipline of music; and
3. elective courses related to the area of concentration and student’s individual interests and professional aspirations.  

The curriculum described below is not rigid. It is intended to indicate both the nature of the course work and the usual elements for fulfilling the requirements for the DMA in Choral Conducting degree. The student's actual course work will be designed to provide a well-rounded total program, including depth in the major area and breadth in supportive and related studies.

Each student selects a program of study in consultation with an advisor. It must include a reasonable concentration and breadth of study designed to foster research, scholarship, and knowledge of a specialty in relation to allied academic areas, must be approved by the advisor, and is subject to the rules of the Graduate Studies Committee. At least 50% of the courses must be designated graduate study only (courses at the 6000-8000 level).         

Master’s Degree — 30 total credit hours 

The program requires a minimum of 50 semester credit hours of advanced graduate study after the completion of a Master’s degree in music (30 semester hours).  

Major Area of Concentration – 29 total credit hours

Core Courses – 25 total credit hours 

• Music 6812 – Graduate Vocal Diction and Repertoire Coaching (2 credit hours)
• Music 6881 – Graduate Conducting Seminar (2 registrations at 1 credit hour each)
• Music 7203.XX – Choral ensemble (4 registrations) 
• Music 8860.02 – Choral Conducting Repertoire (3 credit hours)
• Music 8903.02 – Advanced Choral Conducting (2 registrations at 4 credit hours each)
• Choose one of the following:
  • Music 8903.01 – Advanced Wind Conducting (4 credit hours)
  • Music 8903.02 – Advanced Orchestral Conducting (4 credit hours)
• Dissertation — 6 total credit hours
  • Music 8999 – Research for Dissertation or Document 

Supportive Studies – 15 total credit hours

Research

• Music 6786 – Music Research and Bibliography (3 credit hours)

Additional Courses 

Additional courses must chosen from the following areas:

• Music Theory
• Musicology
• Music Education
• Music Cognition
• Jazz Studies
• Applied Music (vocal or instrumental)
• Integrative Studies

Electives In or Outside of Music – 9 total credit hours

Course(s) selected according to the student’s interests and professional aspiration.

Total Minimum Post-Baccalaureate credits – 80 credit hours

Questions? Email mus-grad@osu.edu.