Entrance Requirements
After acceptance to the program, an incoming D.M.A. student in the Sacred Music area completes the placement exams required by the Department of Music.
The student must also demonstrate a reading knowledge of one foreign language by passing an examination in that language within one year of beginning doctoral studies. The language will be chosen in consultation with the director of the program.
Program of Study
The program director, in consultation with the student, will arrange a program of study of 61 to 72 hours beyond the master's degree. The courses to be completed as part of the degree requirements will be communicated to the student in writing.
Doctoral Treatise
The doctoral treatise is a substantive and formal scholarly research work addressing in depth a specific topic in the field of sacred music. It follows the same format as that required for a dissertation but is typically not equivalent to a dissertation in length or scope; it may also present research other than that typical of a dissertation, such as cataloging of works or repertory studies, or compiling choral works for various liturgical seasons and their performance needs.
The treatise shares the following elements in common with the dissertation: topic approval by the faculty, with treatise topic approval form submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies (although without external review required); work written under the direction of the major professor and treatise committee; oral defense; and deposit with the Office of Graduate Studies.
Oral Defense
Successful completion of an oral defense is required upon acceptance of the finished doctoral treatise. Committee members for the oral defense of the doctoral treatise are chosen from among the members of the Music faculty; Theology faculty may also be included as deemed appropriate.
Minor in Latin American Music
The D.M.A. program of study in Sacred Music consists of between 61 to 72 semester hours of credit beyond the master's degree. The above requirements apply, with the following exceptions to accommodate this doctoral minor:
- Depending on the results of the entrance examination in the area of music history, the student may be assigned from 0-12 semester hours of credit in this area by advisement.
- The program of study will include 12 semester hours of Latin American music electives.
- The treatise must be written on an Iberian or Latin American topic.