Degree Academic

Credits

 Performance Related Credits Graduation Fulfillment Credits Total Credits
DMA 18 21 7 46


The goals of the Doctor of Musical Arts in Church Music (DMA) program are to: 

  • To equip students with intellectual, spiritual, and practical ability to be efficient leaders in church music ministries.
  • To prepare students for ministry to teach spiritual music leaders in the church.

 

Admissions Policies

Students who apply for the Doctoral program must hold a three-year Master of Arts in Music degree or its academic equivalent.

 

Application Requirements

All applicants to WMU must willingly agree upon the educational philosophy and the policy of WMU that is based on the beliefs of Christianity.

WMU does not discriminate based on sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin in the administration of educational policies, admission policies, scholarships, or any other programs or activities.

The following documents must be included in the application process.

  1. The application form and a non-refundable application fee ($100.00),
  2. Testimony,
  3. Recommendation letters (2),
  4. A copy of current Professional/Performance Resume,
  5. Official transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions attended,
  6. Two recent photographs (passport style), and
  7. An earned Master of Arts in Music (MAM) degree or the equivalent with at least a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from an accredited institution.

The application form and other materials can be obtained from the admissions office. They may be requested by
phone, mail, or downloaded via the internet. The mailing address and phone/fax numbers are:

 

DMA Program Office Music Department

World Mission University
500 Shatto Pl. Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90020

Phone: (213) 388-1000/ Fax: (213) 385-2332
E-mail: admissions@wmu.edu
Home Web Page: www.wmu.edu
Music Department Web Page: www.music.wmu.edu/
The deadline to apply for the Spring semester is the last Friday of December, and for the Fall semester it is the last Friday of May. International students must apply earlier to process visas and make the necessary arrangements to enroll.

 

Audition Information

Requirements and Process are as follows:

  1. An Artistic Résumé and repertoire list.
  2. Performance video which demonstrates various musical styles will be submitted in the recommended media file format ( .mp4, .mov, or YouTube link) and
  3. After a careful review of all the materials, applicants will be invited to have an interview.

 

Admissions Process

Once the student submits the application and the supporting documents, the Admissions Office reviews the documents and confirms the completion of each applicant’s file. The application and records are submitted to the admissions committee for evaluation based on the following criteria:

  • Evaluation of prior academic performance and the ability to successfully complete the academic program,
  • Recommendations,
  • Additional materials are required for Music applicants, and Interview with program director

 

Academic Policies

Registration

To begin study, all students must submit registration forms each semester which have been approved by the Director of the doctoral program. Student information, the title and number of the course, academic advisors’ signature and students’ signature regarding the financial policy are required.

Full/Part Time Status
Full-time status in the Doctoral program is 8 credits per semester. Students who enroll in less than 4 units are part time.

International students are required to register for three courses, 8 credits, each semester as well as meet other criteria. Please contact the DMA program director for more details.

 

Transfer Credit Policy

There is a limited grant for credits from other fully accredited institution as follows:

  1. A maximum of six semester hours of credit is eligible for transfer,
  2. Transfer credits are granted only from accredited institutions (such as ATS accredited),
  3. The student must have earned a grade of “B” or higher in the courses to be credited,
  4. No transfer credit is given for Major/Minor lessons or ensemble taken at another institution. Academic credit, such as music history or music theory, may be eligible for transfer,
  5. Students should submit an official transcript and other supporting documentation (such as papers, projects, assignments, a syllabus, etc.) upon request for an approval,
  6. Student should submit a request form and have it approved by both the department chair and DMA director, and
  7. Additional situations concerning the transfer of credit can be further discussed in person with the DMA director.

 

Time Limit for Degree Completion
The program is a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years in length and requires the completion of nine (including two electives) courses plus the completion of DMA Paper, Recital, Lecture-Recital, and the Comprehensive Examination.

 

Graduation Requirements
To be eligible for graduation, students must:

  • Successfully complete and pass each of the 6 courses with an average grade of a B,
  • Maintain grades with only up to two B- (when a student earns a third B- in a course, he/she will be dismissed from the school), and
  • Complete the Graduation Requirements (7 Credits) with passing grades: DMA Research Design, DMA Paper, DMA Recital, Lecture-Recital, and the Comprehensive Examination.

 

International Students

F-1 students are held to the same standards as regular students and must maintain Academic eligibility. If an F-1 student fails to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, he/she will be notified in writing and placed on academic probation for one semester. The F-1 student must show he/she is making progress during the probation period. If at the end of that semester the student has not brought their GPA above the satisfactory level of 3.0, the student will be dismissed from the university and their I-20 will be terminated.

WMU Doctor of Musical Arts Curriculum

Credit Requirements: 46

18 Academic Credits, 21 Performance Related Credits, and 7 Graduation Fulfillment Credits

 

Prerequisites
1. MC 524 Church Music History (3)
2. MH 543 Music History (3) OR MT 551 Analysis and Literature (3)

 

Academic Courses (18 Credits)
MC 711 Church Music Research  (3)
MC 713 Church Music Philosophy and Ministry (3)
MH 712 World Music Seminar (3)
MH 713 Seminar in Music History  (3)
MT 711 Music Analysis and Literature  (3)
MT 712 Advanced Pedagogy (3)

 

Performance-Related Courses (21 Credits)
MP 716 Performance Seminar I  (3)
MP 717 Performance Seminar II  (3)

Lessons
MP 711-714 Major Lessons I, II, III, & IV (2 each)
MP 721-722 Minor Lessons I & II (2 each)

Ensemble (Choose One):
Option 1: ME 711-713 Ensemble Choir  I, II, III (1 each)
Option 2: ME 721-723 Band Ensemble I, II, III (1 each)

 

Graduation Requirements  (7 Credits)
MH751 DMA Research Design (1)
MH752 DMA Paper (2)
MP753 DMA Recital (2)
MP754 Lecture Recital (2)
MH 755 Comprehensive Examinations (0)