Academic Policies

Institute Degree and Certificate Requirements: Doctor of Musical Arts Degree (DMA)

Institute Degree and Certificate Requirements: Doctor of Musical Arts Degree (DMA)

CalArts has developed the following minimum standards for receiving a degree or certificate from the Institute. Schools may develop additional requirements on approval of the President and Provost.

Admission Prerequisites

Applicants to the DMA program will be required to have attained a MM, MFA, MA or equivalent in a relevant field before admittance, or to have a Master’s degree in an alternate subject along with skills and knowledge that are commensurate with a Master’s degree in a music field. Students will be required to have maintained a minimum GPA of 3.0 in previous graduate study. As part of the admission process, applicants’ knowledge of music theory, analysis and history will be assessed through portfolio review and interview. Additional subject areas may be assessed depending on each applicant’s proposed research focus. In order to ameliorate any deficiencies thus identified, admitted students may be required to take courses for which credit will not be awarded in addition to those required for the DMA degree.

Residence Requirements and Length of Program

The DMA program requires at least 6 semesters of full-time residence, which is also its expected duration.

Curriculum Requirements

The DMA program is a 60 semester-unit program. A complete description of the requirements of the DMA program can be found in the School of Music section of this Course Catalog. Candidates for the DMA degree are required to complete all of the work defined by the DMA program and the School of Music.

Transfer Credit

Due to the unique nature of the DMA program, transfer credit is not awarded.