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.
Eight years.The degree is sometimes called Doctor of Musical Arts, or DMA
The key difference between a PhD student and a PhD candidate is that a PhD student is still completing coursework and working on their research, while a PhD candidate has finished their coursework and is focused on completing their dissertation. In other words, a PhD candidate is further along in the process of earning their PhD than a PhD student.
A PhD candidate is a student who has completed all the requirements for a PhD degree except the dissertation, while a PhD student is still working on completing all the requirements for the degree.
A PhD student is someone who is enrolled in a doctoral program and working towards completing their degree. A PhD candidate is a student who has completed all the requirements for their PhD, except for the dissertation.
MPhil Masters degree, PhD Doctorate
The main difference between a doctorate (PhD) and a medical doctor (MD) is their focus and training. A PhD is a research-based degree that emphasizes academic research and scholarship in a specific field, while an MD is a professional degree that focuses on clinical practice and treating patients.
The main difference between a master's degree and a PhD is the level of academic depth and research involved. A master's degree typically requires coursework and a thesis, while a PhD involves more extensive research, a dissertation, and contributes new knowledge to the field.
A doctorate is a general term for any advanced academic degree, while a PhD specifically refers to a doctorate in philosophy.
Individuals with a PhD typically earn a higher salary than those with a master's degree.
The key difference between a PhD student and a PhD candidate in academia is that a PhD student is still completing coursework and working on their research proposal, while a PhD candidate has completed their coursework and is focused on conducting research for their dissertation. PhD candidates are closer to completing their degree and are expected to be more independent in their research pursuits.
The main difference between pursuing a post-doctoral position and obtaining a PhD is that a post-doctoral position is a temporary research position taken after completing a PhD, while obtaining a PhD is the process of completing advanced research and coursework to earn a doctoral degree.
A PhD candidate is a student who has completed their coursework and is working on their doctoral dissertation, while a student is someone enrolled in a program of study at any level.