Program Overview
The Doctor of Arts (D.A.) degree is designed to prepare musicians for careers in collegiate teaching as well as help prepare them to become leaders in their current positions as educators and worship leaders. The philosophy of the program is to integrate in-depth preparation in a primary emphasis, either Music Education or Worship Ministry, with general studies in an interest area. The interest areas include, but are not limited to, conducting, performance pedagogy, leadership, theology, and the marching arts; these interest areas are required to accommodate the diverse teaching responsibilities found in university instruction today.
Program Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the university’s general requirements for graduate admission, all students applying for admission into the D.A. program must:
- Hold a master’s degree in music and must demonstrate through submitted transcripts a GPA > 3.0 on all master’s level coursework.
- Submit two forms of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s professional and/or educational work, as well as a resume or curriculum vita.
- 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.
- Complete a qualifying exam in music theory and music history, respectively.
Transfer Credit
Students will be allowed to transfer up to nine hours of credit from another institution. However, six 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 three additional hours that are less than 6 years old. Graduate work carrying a grade of less than ‘B’ will not be accepted for credit. Independent study credit earned at another institution will not be accepted.
Program Progression and Graduation Requirements
Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
Students 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 demonstrate 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
After completion of all required coursework, each student will craft a doctoral thesis. The thesis requires students to explore, in depth, a specific aspect of their chosen emphasis that demonstrates learned skills as well as expertise in the field.
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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