Suggested Plan of Study

The program for the Doctor of Musical Arts in Instrumental Performance provides advanced studies for the performer and teacher-scholar.

The program 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 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 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 completion of a Masters degree in music (30 semester hours).

Major Area of Concentration — 28 total credit hours

Performance Study – 12 total credit hours

• Music 8902 – Applied Music (2–4 credit hours; repeatable)

Performance Literature – 4 total credit hours

• Music 8852.XX  – Performance Literature 
  • Piano majors must take two registrations in Music 7852.01 

Recitals – 8 total credit hours

• Music 7905 – Doctoral Preliminary Recital (2 credit hours)
• Music 8905 – Doctoral Recital (2 credit hours)

Supportive Studies in Music – 16 total credit hours

Research

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

Ensembles — 4 total credit hours (minimum 2 registrations)

• Pre-candidacy Piano majors must enroll in either Music 7780.05: Piano Accompanying Pracitum or Music 7208.99: Small Ensemble, each semester

Electives — 9 total credit hours

• Courses in Music, not in the Major Area of Concentration

Related Studies – 6 total credit hours

Elective courses may be from any discipline relevant to the student's development and interests

Total Minimum Post-Baccalaureate credits – 80 credit hours

Questions? Email mus-grad@osu.edu.