Degree Requirements
Doctor of Musical Arts: Conducting
Program of Study — 18-21 units
Courses outside of the Bienen School of Music do not count toward the minimum 18 units required for the degree.
Applied Studies — 6 units
Students should select the section appropriate to their area of study.
CONDUCT 540 Seminar in Conducting
Music Studies Core — 2 units
Students must enroll in these courses during their first year of study.
MUSIC 540 Doctoral Music Research, fall quarter
MUSICOL 400 Graduate Review of History, winter quarter
Music Studies Electives, 300 level or above — 4-7 units
Music Studies Electives are Music Studies courses of the student’s choosing. Music Studies courses are 1 unit, academic in nature, and typically begin with the subject MUS_COMP, MUS_TECH, MUS_THRY, MUSIC_ED, and MUSICOL. Courses must be at the 300 level or above. Students must select at least one MUS THRY Elective.
- MUS_THRY Elective, 1 unit
- Music Studies Electives, 3 units
An additional 3 units of Music Studies Electives at the 400 level or above are required for students who select the Extra Coursework Final Project. Students must earn a “B” or higher in these courses to fulfill the Extra Coursework Final Project requirements. Students who select the Extra Coursework Final Project complete 7 units of Music Studies Electives during the two years of coursework.
Students must pass the incoming music theory diagnostic exam or the MUS_THRY 401 Graduate Review of Music Theory course before enrolling in other MUS_THRY courses.
Music Electives, 300 level or above – 5 units
Music Electives are courses within the Bienen School of Music of the student’s choosing. Courses must be at the 300 level or above.
Practicum Requirement – 0 units, 15 registrations required
Students are required to engage in work experiences related to their field of study in every quarter in which they are enrolled. Six quarters are required during coursework, followed by nine additional quarters following coursework.
- MUSIC 502 Applied Professional Practicum, 6 registrations during coursework
- MUSIC 507-515 Advanced Professional Practicum, 9 registrations after coursework
Music Theory Requirement
Students must pass the incoming music theory diagnostic exam or the MUS_THRY 401 Graduate Review of Music Theory course.
Recitals — 0 units, 2 registrations required
- CONDUCT 580 DMA Recital
Students are required to complete two recitals during the two years of coursework. Students who select the CONDUCT 585 Lecture Recital Final Project perform a third recital as part of the Final Project requirements.
Learn more about DMA Recital Requirements
Qualifying Examinations
Students may not attempt the Qualifying Examinations until after the two years of coursework is complete. Students must pass both Parts One and Two of the Qualifying Examinations before starting work on the Final Project.
Learn more about DMA Qualifying Examinations
Final Project — 1 unit
Students must select one of the below.
CONDUCT 585 Lecture Recital/Performance Document
CONDUCT 585 Lecture Recital/Extra Coursework
CONDUCT 595 Major Research Document
Students must obtain approval from the Music Studies program and the applied lessons professor during the first year of coursework to pursue the CONDUCT 595 Major Research Document Final Project after completing MUSICOL 400 Graduate Review of History. Students who select the CONDUCT 585 Lecture Recital Final Project perform a third recital as part of the Final Project requirements.
Learn more about DMA Final Project Requirements
Graduate Assistantship
Students are required to serve as graduate assistants during the six quarters of coursework. Graduate assignments are made by the applied lessons professor.