What is the difference between a Ph.D and a DMA?

Answer 1

In music, both these degrees represent the highest academic credential (terminal degree) available, and are desirable especially to those wanting to work in music academia. The Ph.D. offered in the fields of musicology, ethnomusicology, music history, composition, Music Theory, and music education. In rare instances, a PhD in performance may be offered as a degree. In this case, exemplary skills in performance, research, and writing are all considered of equal importance. Like the Ph.D. in other disciplines, it is research-oriented, and its completion takes the form of a written dissertation that contributes to the current body of research.

The D.M.A. is offered in performance and performance pedagogy, conducting, composition, and music education. While there is usually some level of a research component, the D.M.A. is more practice-oriented. The dissertation takes the form of a substantial body of performances and/or lecture-recitals which may or may not include covering papers. A few universities using this model use the title "Doctor of Music" (D.M.) as opposed to "Doctor of Musical Arts," though the difference is in name alone.

In areas in which both the Ph.D. and the D.M.A. are awarded (composition, music education), the difference between programs most often represents the difference between research or applied emphasis. In either case, the major dissertation project in composition will be one or more substantial original works. Institutions may also vary in the amount of overlap between the two program types; some may place a greater emphasis on research for the D.M.A., and some Ph.D. programs may require a more substantial applied component either as part of the major or as a cognate or supporting area.

Because of its applied emphasis, the D.M.A. is sometimes referred to as a "professional doctorate." It should be noted, however, that the D.M.A. is not considered to be in the same category as "first-professional" or "taught" doctorates (the M.D. or D.O. for medicine; the J.D. for law; the D.P.T. for physical therapy, etc.), which last for a pre-determined amount of time and do not require a dissertation. The D.M.A., rather, is considered along with other academic doctorates (the Ed.D., the D.Sc., the S.J.D.) as being on equal academic footing with the Ph.D.

Other doctorates available in music include the D.A. (offered by a few institutions with an added emphases in post-secondary teaching), as well as the Ed.D. and the D.M.E. (doctor of music education)--both offered in music education.