The Final Project represents the culmination of intensive and original research that makes a meaningful contribution to knowledge in the student’s field. Students should begin to consider a topic(s) for the Final Project early in their doctoral study, and any ideas should be discussed and explored with their applied lessons professor. However, written work may only begin after the Prospectus Brief has been approved, and the student has achieved candidacy.
Students should register for the Final Project in the quarter of degree completion.
The investigation of any significant historical document relating to a composition, analysis, or performance of a work or group of works
An exploration of the musicological problems (text, dating, extra-musical considerations) relating to a work or group of works
Preparation of a performing edition of a work presently unavailable in a modern edition
A detailed and sophisticated analysis of a number of works
There are three options for the Final Project. Programs and applied lessons professors reserve the right to require any of the following:
The Major Research Document Final Project should be at least 100 pages, and must represent intensive investigation and culminate in an original contribution to scholarship, pedagogy, literature, or performance. Students must obtain approval from the Music Studies program and the applied lessons professor during the first year of coursework to pursue the Major Research Document Final Project after completing MUSICOL 400 Graduate Review of History. The approval process examines a student’s writing and research skills before rendering a decision. Please see Graduate Services to begin the approval process.
The Lecture Recital/Performance Document Final Project consists of a lecture recital and an accompanying document of at least 75 pages. The lecture recital should contain at least 30 minutes of spoken lecture and 45 minutes of music performance. The lecture portion must be written and substantiated by footnotes. The performance portion must be studied with the applied lessons professor. The committee must approve lecture notes before any written work may proceed. Memorization of the performance portion is determined through discussion with the applied lessons professor.
The Lecture Recital/Extra Coursework Final Project consists of an additional 3 units of Music Studies Electives, a lecture recital, and an accompanying document of at least 25 pages. The additional 3 units of Music Studies Electives must be at the 400 level or above, and students must earn a B or higher in these courses. The lecture recital should contain at least 30 minutes of spoken lecture and 45 minutes of music performance. The lecture portion must be written and substantiated by footnotes. The performance portion must be studied with the applied lessons professor. The committee must approve lecture notes before any written work may proceed. Memorization of the performance portion is determined through discussion with the applied lessons professor.
The lecture recital may be recorded should a committee member be unable to attend in-person.
Formatting the title page for the Final Project document should follow the example below:
DMA Title Document Page Example
Formatting for the remainder of the document should follow the guidelines defined by The Graduate School at Northwestern University:
Dissertation Formatting Guidelines
When the Final Project document, including all approved revisions, is completed and approved by the committee, an oral defense of the document is scheduled. The oral defense includes questions from committee members concerning any aspect of the document or documents. The committee may ask for minor changes, revisions, and re-submission after the defense.
The final defense may be waived at the discretion of the committee.
Students must email a PDF of the final, approved document, along with the DMA Final Project Defense form, to Graduate Services.
DMA Final Project Defense form
Students must upload an electronic copy of the Final Project document to Arch to become part of the library’s digital preservation program.
Students may also submit the Final Project document to ProQuest, but this step is not required.
Creative work in fixed form is automatically protected by copyright. Students may include a copyright notice (e.g., “Copyright © 2023 by Student X”) on their work or register their work with the Copyright Office, but neither is required to obtain a copyright. The benefits of registration are outlined in the Copyright Office’s Circular 1.
For more information on copyright, see: