Music Doctorate
Doctorate in Music Degree Overview
In the world of music, the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Music Education (DME) is the pinnacle of academic achievement. The average course curriculum usually takes approximately three years to complete. Students should expect to receive a concentrated focus upon musicology, music history and theory, composition, conducting, and or individual performance; along with attention directed towards applied techniques for the development of classroom curriculum. This degree prepares students to teach music courses at any level up to advance degree programs at conservatories, colleges and universities.
Benefits
Why would anyone want to pursue a doctorate in music education? Well, if the truth be told it is more than likely that musicians and artists who are true purist in their fields will actually find this question rather ridiculous in itself. For them, the question is more often posed somewhat in reverse: Why wouldn’t any musician or artist want to achieve the highest level of educational mastery within their particular field? With a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Education you will be entering the highest echelon of career opportunity in music today. Among just a few of the opportunities that this degree can immediately afford graduates are:
- The ability to design, implement, and lead musical education programs on the primary and university level.
- Share your passion for music as a conservatory educator or conductor.
- Become part of an international community of musical practitioner-scholars.
- Manage musical talent and programs on the highest level.
- Work in Radio, Television, or Film
Areas of Study
Of course curriculum will vary depending upon the institution and upon your own individual area of concentration; nonetheless the following are examples of just some of the various courses that you may expect to encounter during your course of study. Please consult your individual institution for a detailed list of courses and credit hours required for completion of their particular programs.
- Analytical Techniques
- Music Learning Theory
- Research and Bibliography
- Aesthetics & Criticism
- American Music
- Musical and Cultural Perspectives on the Blues
- Introduction to Music Education Research
- Jazz and Popular Arranging
- African Music & Culture: Creative Exploration
- Foundations of Music Education I: Philosophy and History
- Foundations of Music Education II: Sociology and Psychology
- Orchestration
- Research and Directed Study in Music Education
Career Opportunities
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics as a university educator a Doctor of Musical Arts in Education can expect to receive an average yearly salary of $78,000. Although it should not be viewed as a definitive list of possible career opportunities for a graduate with a Doctorate in Musical Arts Education, the following is a small sampling of some of the career pathways that are commonly available.
- Musical Therapist
- Program Administrator
- Musical Performer
- Arranging, Conducting, and Orchestration
- Studio Administrator
- Film Scoring
- Television and Radio
What You Need To Know
The implementation of any PhD program usually imposes a complex series of major responsibilities upon an adult life. Moreover, the field of musical performance is notoriously competitive. Graduates with DMEs often concentrate their careers as educators in the area of their specialty and find part-time work as performers. Candidates should be aware that even with online degree programs many institutions also require a period of residency as a part of the curriculum.
Requirements
Requirements for DME programs will of course vary depending upon institution. However, to be admitted into a PhD program in musical arts education most institutions require no less that a master’s degree in a related field of study and or a grade average of B+ or higher. Some interdisciplinary research in areas such as music psychology, historiography, ethnomusicology, socio-musicology, the philosophy of education, or music theory may be required as well. In some case, gifted students or students who have a demonstrated virtuosity from schools such as Julliard may be admitted. Candidates should expect to find that some related testing is involved in the admission process.
Accreditation
For musical educators, there are a number of recognized professional, governmental, and non-governmental accrediting agencies. It is generally advisable that you research accrediting agencies prior to selecting any program of study. Here are just a few.
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
www.ncate.org
National Association of Schools of Music, Commission on Accreditation
www.nasm.arts-accredit.org
Professional Organizations
There are a host of professional associations for musical educators to choose from. Two organizations in particular, The National Association for Music Education (MENC) www.menc.org and The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) www.afm.org also have a number of affiliate organizations and programs for you to choose from.