DMA Admission Requirements

To be admitted for study leading to the Doctor of Musical Arts, applicants must hold a master's degree in music or music education (or the equivalent) of at least 30 credit hours from an accredited college, university, or comparable institution, and present a GPA of at least 3.0 for all previous graduate-level work (A = 4.0). Appropriate preparation for doctoral study will vary according to the major/degree plan chosen; therefore, prospective applicants should consult with faculty in their intended major area for specific requirements and expectations. To complete the application process, send the following to the Graduate Studies Office, College of Fine Arts, Texas Christian University, TCU Box 297550, Fort Worth, TX, 76129:

  1. A completed application for admission to DMA graduate study, available at www.cfagraduate.tcu.edu/.
  2. Two official transcripts of all college work. Translations must be provided for all international transcripts.
  3. Non-refundable $50 application fee.
  4. Three current letters of reference from persons qualified to comment on the applicant's academic musical achievement, teaching and/or professional experience, and potential for success in the degree program.
  5. A double-spaced typed paper of five pages or more that illustrates the applicant's best writing and research skills. A term paper completed as part of master's level work is sufficient, or the student may submit a research paper, a critical analysis or an article suitable for publication.
  6. A resume or curriculum vitae. This should include a list of concert performances, compositions, publications, and other musical accomplishments.

In addition, applicants must complete the requirements for the major field of study as described below:

  1. Performance
    1. Based on the results of pre-screening, an invitation may be extended to perform an on-campus audition/recital in the principal applied music area before a faculty committee. The performance should feature works of contrasting styles, chosen to demonstrate musicianship and technical proficiency. Memorization is encouraged for all performers; it is required in piano, strings and voice. Sight-reading may be included as part of the audition. Audition requirements vary depending upon the area of study; for specific audition requirements, applicants must contact the faculty in their intended major area.
    2. Students should submit printed programs of their performances and supply a CD recording of a live performance with their application for admission. A videotape or DVD may be submitted in addition to the CD recording. A DVD may be required by some programs/areas.
  2. Composition
    1. Based on the results of pre-screening, an invitation may be extended for an on-campus interview with the composition faculty.
    2. Applicants must submit five scores of recent works with recordings, as available.
  3. Conducting
    1. Based on the results of pre-screening, an invitation may be extended to perform an on-campus audition/recital with a TCU choral or instrumental ensemble before a faculty committee. The audition will consist of a work chosen by the applicant in addition to one work assigned by the conducting faculty.
    2. Applicants must submit a videotape of a recent ensemble performance and rehearsal conducted by the applicant.
    3. Applicants must submit a repertoire list of all works conducted, as well as those studied in depth and prepared for conducting.

Audition

Based on the results of pre-screening, an invitation may be extended to perform an on-campus audition/recital/interview in the principal applied music area before a faculty committee. If invited, the audition/recital/interview should be arranged in coordination with the faculty in the major area and the College of Fine Arts Graduate Office. The CFA Graduate Office will send faculty contact information after application materials are received. Audition dates are posted on www.cfagraduate.tcu.edu/.

The candidate must present a dossier at the audition; it should include the audition program, a vita and a repertoire list. During the audition, which will be heard by at least three members of the graduate faculty, the candidate normally performs 30-45 minutes from a prepared one-hour program. After the performance, the applicant will interview with the faculty present. The faculty will report their evaluation of the audition and interview to the College of Fine Arts Graduate Office, using the Report of DMA Audition Form. This report will be added to the student's file, which will be reviewed by area faculty, the Graduate Standards Committee, the School of Music director and the associate dean for graduate Studies.

Language Requirement

The student must acquire a reading knowledge of one approved modern foreign language, usually French, German or Italian. With the consultation and approval of the program adviser, the student will choose the language most appropriate to his/her research, area of concentration and prior language study.

The student may meet the language requirement by earning at least a "B" average in the undergraduate sophomore year (both semesters) of the language, by earning a "B" in a graduate-level course in the language, or by achieving an appropriate score on a language exam such as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Curricular DMA credit is not given for language courses; in addition, no graduate financial aid is available for these courses.

Further language and diction skills are required for voice and choral conducting students. Please consult with the faculty in these areas for details.

Entrance Examination

The academic and musical abilities of all applicants are assessed by means of an entrance examination. This exam is given during the audition/interview visit. The exam serves as a diagnostic tool to determine whether or not a student is prepared for doctoral study, what deficiencies exist and as an aid in advising. The results of the exam are reported to the College of Fine Arts Graduate Office and added to the student's file; it is a factor in admissions.

On the basis of the entrance exam, incoming doctoral students may be advised to take certain courses to eliminate deficiencies in music history and theory. Credit earned in the completion of these courses is not applicable toward DMA requirements.

During the registration period, the student will meet with his/her program adviser to discuss the results of the exams, plan a tentative course of study, identify ways to strengthen areas in which deficiencies may exist and review general program requirements.

Students whose master's degree program did not include a course in bibliographic research will be required to take MUSI 60103 Bibliography and Research Techniques; this course will not count toward DMA curriculum requirements.

Further information about the entrance exam and suggestions for preparation are available at www.cfagraduate.tcu.edu/.

English Requirements for International Applicants

In order to be considered for admission to the TCU DMA Program, all international students must complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language and achieve one of the following scores:

  • 100 on the iBT TOEFL

This requirement applies to prospective international students coming from abroad, as well as those coming to TCU from another college or university in the United States. Official scores must be sent to TCU from the testing agency.

Students who have earned a degree (in music) at an English-language university may be exempted from taking the TOEFL, at the discretion of the Graduate Standards Committee.

The on-campus interview and submitted writing samples will also be used to evaluate each applicant's English language proficiency. International students may be asked to interview via teleconference to ascertain listening and speaking ability in English.

GRE

The GRE is required of all DMA applicants. Official scores must be sent to TCU from the testing agency. The GRE score is one of many elements in the applicant's file that will be considered during the admission process; there is no minimum required score.

Application Deadlines

For full consideration, applicants seeking admission to the DMA Program should complete their application by January 15 to be considered for fall matriculation.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are available in various areas; these assistantships provide tuition waiver, a stipend or both, and require up to 10 hours of work per week. Graduate assistants must be full-time resident students. Applicants should indicate their interest in being considered for an assistantship on the application for admission. The application must be received in the graduate office by January 15 for full consideration for the fall semester.

Generally, assistantships are for a complete academic year and are not available starting in the spring semester. Students are notified by April 15 if they have been granted an assistantship for the next academic year.

TCU adheres to the following Resolution of the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States: "Students are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support prior to April 15; earlier deadlines for acceptance of such offers violate the intent of this Resolution. In those instances in which a student accepts an offer before April 15, and subsequently desires to withdraw that acceptance, the student may submit in writing a resignation of the appointment at any time through April 15. However, an acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which a commitment has been made. Similarly, an offer by an institution after April 15 is conditional on presentation by the student of the written release from any previously accepted offer."

Doctoral students may hold an assistantship for a maximum of three years; renewal is dependent upon the recommendation of the faculty. In order to have an assistantship renewed, the student must make excellent academic and musical progress, display professional and collegial conduct, and fulfill all assistantship duties.

Outside employment for students holding financial aid carrying stipends is discouraged. The University assumes that the student's primary obligation is toward graduate study. The director and associate dean reserve the right to review any outside employment and require that the student modify the commitment to the outside employment or relinquish the financial aid appointment.





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