In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Music students must meet the requirements specified below.
Music Composition - Doctor of Musical Arts at Michigan State University
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Music Composition - Doctor of Musical Arts at Michigan State University
The Music Composition - Doctor of Musical Arts at Michigan State University is a PhD program designed for students who want to build the knowledge and skills required for careers in this field. Delivered on campus at the university's main campus in East Lansing , United States of America, the program is taught in English and takes 5 years to complete. Students study in a Full Time environment while preparing for future professional opportunities. The next intake starts on July 5, 2027.
About Music Composition - Doctor of Musical Arts
Requirements and Admission Criteria for Music Composition - Doctor of Musical Arts at Michigan State University
Entry Requirements
To be considered for to the Doctor of Musical Arts degree program in music composition, an applicant must submit to the College of Music two original compositions representative of the applicant’s creative work. Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to include in the application portfolio audio CD or video recordings of performances of all musical scores they submit. “Live” recordings are preferred, but Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) realizations are acceptable.
To be admitted to the program on regular status, an applicant must have a master's degree in music composition from a recognized educational institution or a total of 30 credits of approved course work.
Guidance Committee
The student’s guidance committee, which must be formed during the first year of graduate study, must consist of a faculty member in the area of music composition, who serves as chairperson, a second faculty member in the area of music composition, one faculty member in the area of music theory, and one faculty member in the area of music history.
Requirements for the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Music Composition
Each student in the program has a major professor who provides instruction in music composition, oversees the preparation of the original composition, and oversees the final oral examination based upon that composition.
The student must:
- Complete Music 830 Research Methods and Materials in Music and the courses in music composition, music theory, and musicology that are specified by the student’s guidance committee.
- Complete any cognate area and related courses that are specified by the student's guidance committee.
- Pass the written comprehensive examinations in composition, musicology, and music theory. Students become eligible to take the comprehensive examination in each of these areas during the semester in which they are completing the required course work in that area, with the exception of MUS 998 credits.
- Complete the following requirements in lieu of 24 credits of Music 999, a dissertation, and a final oral examination over the dissertation:
- Complete 24 credits of Music 998 Doctoral Music Composition.
- Complete an original music composition under the guidance of a faculty member in the composition area that is acceptable to the student’s guidance committee. A copy of the dissertation must be submitted to the Graduate School and to the office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and will be retained as part of the permanent degree record.
Academic Standards
Doctoral study presumes continuing excellence in course work. A student may accumulate no more than 6 credits with a grade below 3.0 in courses that are to be counted toward the degree.
The student’s original composition and the student’s performance on the final oral examination based on the composition must be approved by the members of the student’s guidance committee with not more than one dissenting vote. Should the committee fail to accept either the student’s composition or the student’s performance on the final oral examination based on the composition, the student shall be allowed to rewrite the composition or to repeat the final oral examination based on the composition only once. The composition must be rewritten or the examination must be retaken within one year, during a fall or spring semester.
English Requirements
- PTEMin 53
- IELTSMin 6.5
- TOEFLMin 79
English Program Requirements
Due to cancellations of many international English language proficiency tests, MSU will be temporarily accepting the following tests for international students applying for fall semester 2022. In addition, MSU will be expanding the ability for students to receive provisional admission. If a provisionally admitted student is able to take a test that meets our regular admission standards prior to enrollment, we will update their admission status to regular.
Tuition and Fee Information for Music Composition - Doctor of Musical Arts at Michigan State University
How to Apply for Music Composition - Doctor of Musical Arts at Michigan State University
Plan for application fee
The $75 application fee is required to officially submit your application for admission.
Have official transcripts sent from your school
Request that all secondary schools, colleges, universities attended and/or examination boards send original or attested copies of all transcripts, marks sheets, certificates and diplomas earned directly to the Office of Admissions at Michigan State University. These can be sent through the online services listed below or by mail. If sending by mail, any hard copy of academic records must be sent in an official, sealed envelope.
Online services:
Parchment
Common App
Coalition for College
Naviance
eScrip-Safe
National Student Clearing House
Parchment
Common App
Coalition for College
Naviance
eScrip-Safe
National Student Clearing House
Mail:
Office of Admissions
Hannah Administration Building
426 Auditorium Road, Room 250
East Lansing, MI 48824-2604
Office of Admissions
Hannah Administration Building
426 Auditorium Road, Room 250
East Lansing, MI 48824-2604
In addition, if the original documents are not issued in English, an official translation of each document must be provided along with the original language documents. Translations may be done by the school, college or university attended or an authorized/official translator in the country of study. Review MSU's International transcript requirements for country-specific transcript information.
Note: Documents submitted to MSU as part of the application process will not be returned.
Select your major preference
As a freshman you do not have to officially declare your major yet, however you will be asked to select your major preference on the application. If you are undecided, select the "Exploratory preference" option.
Changing your major preference
After submitting the application, fall freshman applicants have until May 1 to change their major preference in their account. Any student who applies, or is admitted, after May 1 cannot change their major preference until they meet with an academic adviser at New Student Orientation (NSO).
Indicate any college-level course work completed
If you anticipate the completion of any college-level course work prior to attending MSU, it is recommended that you indicate this on your application or contact the Office of Admissions to let us know.
Submit English language proficiency test results
Have the testing agency (TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, MSUELT or MELAB accepted) provide proof of English proficiency directly to MSU if your first language is not English. MSU's TOEFL code is 1465. MSU is test optional, which means international students are encouraged, though not required, to submit SAT or ACT scores. The SAT code is 1465; the ACT code is 2032.
Review our full overview on English language proficiency for details on temporary exceptions due to the impact of the novel coronavirus — including additional tests being accepted and expanded opportunities for provisional admission.
Student visa requirements
In order to obtain the documents needed to file for a student visa (I-20 or DS-2019), admitted students must show adequate proof of financial support. Upon acceptance, admitted students will be required to upload a signed affidavit of support and bank statement with the name of the account holder in English through your admissions account. Please do not send financial documents in paper form at the time of application.
Do not send letters of recommendation
Do not send letters of recommendation, photographs, portfolios or additional personal essays. Doing so will delay processing of your application.
Music Composition - Doctor of Musical Arts at Michigan State University
Michigan State University
United States of America, East Lansing