University Programs
Doctor of Music degree (D.Mus., Mus.D. Mus.Doc.), like other doctorates, is an academic degree of the highest level. The D.Mus. is intended for musicians and composers who wish to combine the highest attainments in their area of specialization with doctoral-level academic study in music. (It should be noted that in the UK, apart from only a few universities (such as those of of Oxford and Cambridge) and some music conservatories, the majority of doctoral level qualifications in music are styled with the generic doctoral title of PhD).D.Mus. students complete advanced studies in one of typically three musical areas: musicology; performance (including conducting); or musical composition. Assessment varies with subject matter and University. A musicologist would be expected to produce a thesis on a specialised subject matter, whilst a performer would give a recital, and composer would present a portfolio of compositions. Once obtained, D.Mus performers and composers may expect to be able to progress into their associated professional careers, whilst musicologists may continue with post-doctoral research.
In the UK, the DMus is a higher doctorate degree, awarded on the basis of a substantial portfolio of compositions and/or publications on music. Some institutions such as Oxford restrict the DMus to their own graduates which is the opposite of former times when the degree could be taken externally (i.e. by non-graduates/non-MAs).
The Doctor of Music degree has also been utilized as an Honorary Degree when presented to musicians like Steve Vai, Daniel Barenboim, Mark Knopfler, Sir Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Hunter Cune, Joni Mitchell, Randy Bachman, and John Mellencamp.