Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Composition
The Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition at Boston University is a comprehensive professional program in the College of Fine Arts. Composers work to attain a personal compositional aesthetic and the techniques to express it through sound, as well as a broad knowledge of contemporary and historical compositional practices and a mastery of analytic techniques for tonal and post-tonal music. Students develop the skills necessary to navigate the professional world, and the Center for Music presents them with an array of opportunities to hear diverse musical styles.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the program, students are expected to demonstrate:
- Advanced knowledge of current compositional trends and repertoire and development of a personal voice.
- Advanced proficiency in tonal and post-tonal score analysis.
- Knowledge and skill in related fields such as music theory, musicology, and ethnomusicology.
- Superior proficiency in verbal communication of musical ideas and concepts.
- Capacity for producing professional-level written documents such as program notes or scholarly essays.
- Capacity for artistic growth and skills for navigating the professional world.
Post-Master’s DMA in Composition
The Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition is granted upon successful completion of a program of study, written and oral qualifying examinations, and terminal projects appropriate to the student’s field of specialization. Students must complete a minimum of 48 term units with grades no lower than B– in graduate-level coursework. Graduate music elective courses may include ME, MH, MP, and MT courses numbered 500 and higher. All degree requirements must be completed within seven years of the date of matriculation. Please see also the College of Fine Arts policies for graduate students, which apply to this program.
All Doctor of Musical Arts students must take at least 15 units combined in music theory (at least 9) and musicology (at least 6), including CFA MT 701 (Doctoral Proseminar: Skills) and CFA MT 702 (Doctoral Proseminar: Analysis). All MH and MT courses used for the component must be 600 level or higher. Double majors are not permitted at the doctoral level.
Proficiency Examinations
All entering Doctor of Musical Arts students are required to take proficiency examinations in the areas of music theory and musicology. These examinations are administered online before the start of classes. Incoming students are notified of the exam dates and contents in advance and are responsible for taking them by the specified deadline. Exam results are used for purposes of advisement and may establish prerequisite or required coursework. Material covered in these examinations is commonly presented in most undergraduate degree programs in music. No retakes of the exam will be permitted.
Required Courses
Any deficiencies identified by the proficiency exams must be addressed as soon as possible, regardless of whether or not the student plans to take other courses in these areas. Students may not take advanced graduate courses in a particular area OR graduate until all deficiencies have been addressed. Prerequisite and other required courses may include:
- CFA MH 401 Graduate Music History Review
- CFA MT 401 Graduate Music Theory Review
- CFA MT 601 Analytical Techniques 1
- CFA MT 602 Analytical Techniques 2
Composition Program Outline, Post-Master's DMA
| CFA MT 621 Graduate Composition |
9 units |
| CFA MT 861 Seminar in Tonal Music |
3 units |
| CFA MT 862 Seminar in Post-Tonal Music |
3 units |
| CFA MT 632 Advanced Orchestration |
2 units |
| CFA MT 635–37 Electronic/Computer Music |
2 units |
| CFA MT 701 Doctoral Proseminar: Skills |
3 units |
| CFA MT 702 Doctoral Proseminar: Analysis |
3 units |
| Theory/Composition electives |
2 units |
| Musicology electives |
6 units |
| Approved Music electives |
12 units |
| CFA MU 995 Dissertation |
3 units |
| Total |
48 units |
Recital
The student must present a program, approximately one hour long, of original compositions.
Language Requirement
Reading proficiency is required in one language, chosen from German, French, and Italian. Students may demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language by passing its corresponding reading course at the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences: GRS LG 621, GRS LF 621, or GRS LI 621. Students may also satisfy the requirement by passing a foreign language examination, administered once each semester by the School of Music.
Qualifying Examinations
In any term, after all required courses have been completed and there are no incomplete grades outstanding, students may undertake doctoral qualifying examinations, written and oral. There are three written examinations: one in the area of music theory (in four parts), one in the area of music history, and one in the major field. All or any of these examinations may be taken in a given term. These exams may be taken after the completion of a minimum of 30 units, with passing grades earned in all courses and no incomplete grades outstanding. There is one exception to this policy: students may take the corresponding written qualifying exams in music theory during the terms in which they are registered for MT 701 or MT 702. Students are expected to take a sufficient variety and number of courses during the first two years of study, including courses in music theory and musicology, to prepare them adequately for success in the qualifying examinations.
Once a student has passed an individual area exam, they need not repeat it, even if required to retake another area exam. The student proceeds to oral examinations only after passing all written examinations. Requirements vary by concentration.
Students who fail any portion of the DMA qualifying examinations (written or oral) three times may be subject to dismissal from the program.
Terminal Projects
Students in the DMA in Composition program follow the dissertation track and are permitted to begin work on the dissertation only after satisfactory completion of the qualifying examinations. The terminal project will be a large-scale composition, scored for full or chamber orchestra, with or without soloists and/or voices, approximately 30 minutes in length.
Post-Baccalaureate DMA in Composition
Students who have completed a BA or BM may apply directly to the Post-Baccalaureate DMA in Composition program. Applicants must meet the general admission requirements for the MM program and must show evidence of strong academic performance as well as compositional achievement. Students who apply from the MM program prior to completion are subject to the same admission rules. Please see also the College of Fine Arts policies for graduate students, which apply to this program.
Composition Program Outline, Post-Baccalaureate DMA
| CFA MT 621 Graduate Composition |
15 units |
| CFA MT 761 Advanced Tonal Analysis |
3 units |
| CFA MT 861 Seminar in Tonal Music |
3 units |
| CFA MT 762 Advanced Post-Tonal Analysis |
3 units |
| CFA MT 862 Seminar in Post-Tonal Music |
3 units |
| CFA MT 632 Advanced Orchestration |
2 units |
| CFA MT 635–37 Electronic/Computer Music |
2 units |
| CFA MT 641–42 Counterpoint |
2 units |
| CFA MT 701 Doctoral Proseminar: Skills |
3 units |
| CFA MT 702 Doctoral Proseminar: Analysis |
3 units |
| Theory/Composition electives |
2 units |
| Musicology electives |
9 units |
| Approved Music electives |
9 units |
| CFA MU 995 Dissertation |
3 units |
| Total |
62 units |
Recitals
Students give two recitals during this degree program. During the second year of study, the student submits a recital portfolio for faculty approval. This portfolio must contain works totaling at least one-half hour in length. Once the portfolio is approved, the student presents these works in a recital. If the works have all been previously publicly performed or read, this first recital requirement may be waived at the discretion of the composition faculty.
Prior to work on the dissertation, during the third or fourth year, the student must again submit a recital portfolio for faculty approval. These works, which may include pieces previously submitted, must make up a full-length program. Once the faculty has approved the recital, the student must present it publicly. This may be done at any time prior to graduation. Students are expected to register for graduate composition lessons until the second recital portfolio is completed and approved.
Language Requirement, Qualifying Examinations, Terminal Project
These requirements are the same as those for the Post-Master’s DMA in Composition (see above).
