Degree Requirements

Doctor of Musical Arts: String Performance

Program of Study (18 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 course appropriate to their instrument. 

  • STRINGS 541 Applied Violin 
  • STRINGS 542 Applied Viola 
  • STRINGS 543 Applied Cello 
  • STRINGS 544 Applied Double Bass 

 

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. 

 

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, 3 registrations required 

  • STRINGS 580 DMA Recital 

Students are required to complete three recitals. The final recital is entirely self-prepared. Students who select the STRINGS 585 Lecture Recital Final Project perform a fourth recital as part of the Final Project requirements.

Learn more about DMA Recital Requirements

 

Qualifying Examination

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. 

  • STRINGS 585 Lecture Recital/Performance Document 
  • STRINGS 585 Lecture Recital/Extra Coursework 
  • STRINGS 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 STRINGS 595 Major Research Document Final Project after completing MUSICOL 400 Graduate Review of History. Students who select the STRINGS 585 Lecture Recital Final Project perform a fourth recital as part of the Final Project requirements. 

Learn 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.

 

Download Degree Checklist

Questions?

Contact Graduate Services: 
musicgradservices@northwestern.edu 
847-491-5740