DMA Musical Arts at Stanford University

Programme overview

The Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Composition is a practice-oriented doctoral program that provides students with rigorous training to create and present original musical works of significance and impact. Through a combination of intensive private study, advanced seminars, and engagement with new technologies and performance practices, the program prepares students to develop a unique artistic voice and make essential contributions to the field of contemporary music. This program is full time; doctoral students in the DMA program are expected to maintain a significant physical presence on campus throughout their graduate studies.

Faculty: School of Humanities and Sciences | Department: Music | Duration: 135 units minimum | Study mode: full-time | Location: Stanford, CA, United States

What you will study

Programme load is 135 units minimum. Requirements are organised into: Program Requirements; Teaching Requirement; Advancement to Candidacy; Final Project; Language Requirement; Composition Subplan.

Career pathways

Through a combination of intensive private study, advanced seminars, and engagement with new technologies and performance practices, the program prepares students to develop a unique artistic voice and make essential contributions to the field of contemporary music.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University-level graduate admission (Graduate Admissions): a U.S. bachelor's degree or international equivalent, transcripts for every institution attended, a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and TOEFL/IELTS scores unless exempt (U.S. citizens and permanent residents, native English speakers, or applicants with English-medium degrees). Each graduate programme sets its own GRE policy (required, optional or not considered). Programme-specific criteria are set by the department.

Tuition is charged for Autumn, Winter and Spring quarters (Summer quarter also billed separately). Graduate programmes such as PhD and Master's in Computer Science admit for Autumn entry only; Education PhD and Master's programmes begin September 20, 2027.

The graduate application fee is $125, nonrefundable. Deadlines are set by each programme: Computer Science PhD December 8, 2026; Education PhD November 16, 2026.

Apply through the official page: https://gradadmissions.stanford.edu/apply

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