You can also view this degree plan on the Rice University website here.
Performance Requirements - 32 semester hours
MUSI 653 Advanced Oboe for Majors – 8 semesters, six (6) taken as a DMA student
MUSI 635 Advanced Orchestra (taken while a DMA student) – 4 semesters*
MUSI 751 Doctoral Recitals (4 performed while a DMA student): two (2) solo, one (1) lecture, one (1) mock audition
*Students pursuing the DMA degree on a wind instrument or percussion must be enrolled in MUSI 635 Advanced Orchestra during four of their six semesters of residency. They may elect to enroll in one or two additional semesters or be required to do so by their major teacher. The student in consultation with their major teacher will choose the semesters for participation.
DMA Core Requirements – 24 semester hours
MUSI 611 Classroom Pedagogy
MUSI 711 Analytical Approaches
MUSI 733 Doctoral Seminar I: Career Skills
MUSI 735 Doctoral Seminar II: Repertory
MUSI 736 Solo Repertory for Doctoral Students
MUSI 737 Doctoral Seminar in Musicology
MUSI 738 Doctoral Individual Project
MUSI 739 Pedagogy for Doctoral Students
Academic Coursework (in addition to core) – 15 semester hours
Music History – 9 semester hours
Music Theory – 6 semester hours
Electives –13 semester hours
Electives must be 300 level or above. Graduate academic courses taken elsewhere may be transferred with the approval of the relevant Department Chair. Additional hours of required performance coursework may not count toward the elective requirement. However, up to three (3) semester hours of MUSI 649 Graduate Independent Study will count towards degree requirements.
Classroom Teaching
Students must complete the Classroom Teaching requirement.
Proficiencies
Piano proficiency
Aural skills proficiency
Written and oral qualifying examinations
Diagnostic examinations in music history and music theory are given prior to admission to the Shepherd School, and play an important role in the admissions decision. Weaknesses in these areas will be addressed by courses designated by the chairs of the respective departments and will count as electives. All doctoral students must also pass proficiency exams in aural skills and piano. These exams are scheduled at the beginning of each academic year. If required, MUSI 432 Graduate Aural Skills Review and/or MUSI 281 Secondary Piano must be taken, but neither will count towards the total number of hours required for the degree.
Doctoral Document - 6 semester hours
MUSI 750 Doctoral Document - 2 semesters (the document must be publicly defended)
Students are responsible for making certain that their plan of study meets all degree and major requirements. Please review the following link for additional information regarding University Requirements: http://ga.rice.edu.
A minimum of 90 semester hours must be successfully completed to earn this degree.
This degree plan was updated August 2024 and is intended for the 2024-25 academic year.