Requirements
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the university’s general requirements for graduate admission, all students applying for admission into the D.A. in Music program must hold a master’s degree in music and must demonstrate through submitted transcripts a 3.0 GPA on all master’s level coursework. All applicants will be required to submit two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s professional and/or educational work, as well as a resume or curriculum vita, to the D.A. in Music program coordinator. Each applicant must also demonstrate the ability to write on a graduate level through submission of a 1,000-1,500 word writing sample. At least 500 words will be devoted to explaining why the candidate is interested in pursuing a terminal degree. The remaining 500-1,000 words will address some issue related to the candidate’s intended emphasis area. Finally, each applicant must complete a qualifying exam in music theory and music history, respectively. Survey of Music Theory and/or Survey of Music History taken during the master’s degree may count toward the D.A. in Music if the doctoral qualifying exams are passed.
Students will be allowed to transfer up to 9 hours of credit from another institution. However, 6 of those hours must be Survey of Music Theory and Survey of Music History, or their respective equivalencies. In addition to these two courses, students may transfer in 3 additional hours. No graduate work carrying a grade of less than “B” will be accepted for credit. Independent study credit earned at another institution will not be accepted. The D.A. in Music degree will require 51 semester hours of coursework, with at least 42 of these hours occurring beyond the master’s degree. Nine hours from the master’s degree may be counted depending on results from the doctoral qualifying exams.
There is no language requirement for admission to, or completion of, the D.A. in Music program.
Program Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes
The D.A. in Music at William Carey University will seek to enhance the fields of music education and worship ministry by preparing students to meet the following objectives:
• Demonstrate advanced musicianship from theoretical, historical, and performance perspectives
• Demonstrate an understanding of the history and progression of practices in a chosen emphasis area
• Demonstrate the ability to identify and locate relevant topics for research and inquiry and utilize these resources to enhance professional practice
• Exercise critical judgement and the ability to engage in scholarly writing when synthesizing methodological and theoretical perspectives for research purposes
• Demonstrate the ability to plan, implement, and evaluate college-level teaching
• Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary issues in a chosen emphasis area, and the ability to apply that knowledge when making professional decisions
Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
Students in the D.A. in Music program will be evaluated regularly throughout each course based on the schedule and format outlined in each course syllabus. Evaluation will occur in multiple forms. Students will engage in academic writing through submission of research, essays, article reviews, summaries, philosophies, and other formats that allow demonstration of formal writing concepts and the ability to apply critical thinking in written form. Many courses will feature live-video classes where students will demonstration the ability to engage in professional discourse as related to course material. Finally, demonstration of skills, knowledge, and concepts may occur through live-video assessment or through written evaluations in the form of periodic multi-format testing. All assessments will be administered online through Canvas, the university’s course management system.
Graduation Requirements
In addition to completing required coursework while maintaining Academic Standing as stated in the Academic Regulations section of the Graduate Catalog, successful progression in the D.A. in Music program requires the following:
Comprehensive Examination
Each candidate for graduation from the D.A. program will undergo a comprehensive written examination that will fully evaluate a student’s knowledge and skill with regard to both the major area and their chosen primary emphasis areas. For students in the music education track, the examination will address philosophical, historical, and research perspectives, as well as the application of these concepts to curricular decision-making. For students in the worship ministry track, the examination will address biblical, philosophical, and historical perspectives, as well as the application of these concepts to today’s church music ministry programs.
Thesis or Research Articles
In lieu of a traditional dissertation, after completion of all required coursework each student will choose between crafting a doctoral thesis or writing two distinct research articles. The thesis would allow students to explore, in depth, a specific aspect of their chosen emphasis that would demonstrate learned skills as well as expertise in the field. The two articles option would represent practical research efforts that result in work that is ready for submission for journal publication and would promote the type of scholarly endeavors desired of those who successfully complete terminal degrees.
Residency
Students will meet residency requirements by enrolling in a minimum of 6 credit hours of coursework for at least two consecutive terms.
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