The School of Church Ministries offers two doctoral degrees: the Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) and the Doctor of Music Ministry (D.M.M.). Statements here provide only a brief overview. Specifics of the degrees, in the form of the MANUAL FOR DOCTORAL STUDIES IN CHURCH MUSIC and Study Guides for the various Qualifying Examinations, are available from the Associate Dean for Doctoral Studies.

Qualifying Examinations

Normally, Doctoral Qualifying Examinations are given each March and October. Usually the individuals tested are already students at Southern Seminary. However, it is possible to take Qualifying Examinations without being enrolled at Southern Seminary. Until Qualifying Examinations are passed, a student is not a “Doctoral Candidate.” In addition to evaluating musicianship and academic strengths, these tests help the student and the faculty select a suitable plan of study.

Regardless of status, a person wishing to take Qualifying Examinations must submit to the Associate Dean for Doctoral Studies three items at least one month prior to the tests:

• “Qualifying Examination Application Form” found in the Manual for Doctoral Studies

• An Autobiography of six to ten pages that includes personal, professional and spiritual history

• A research paper of ten to thirty pages utilizing proper form, footnotes, etc., written either as an assignment for bachelor’s or master’s work or written as a project especially for this assignment

Often a person with a master’s degree from another school determines to register at Southern Seminary the semester of Qualifying Exams. Such a person must utilize the following procedures:

• Complete full admission to Southern Seminary as a “SPECIAL STUDENT” (Registration as a D.M.A. or D.M.M. student is not possible until Qualifying Examinations are passed.)

• Take PLACEMENT EXAMINATIONS with all incoming students in the School of Church Ministries. (These tests, diagnostic in nature, give the faculty an early indication of the student’s relative strengths.)

Qualifying Examinations test the following areas:

• Major personal performance area (Formal Recital)

• Music History

• Music Theory

• Conducting

• Sight Singing

• Voice Proficiency (for all except voice majors)

• Piano Proficiency (for all except keyboard majors)

Once Qualifying Examinations are passed, the student may register the following semester in the chosen degree program—D.M.A. or D.M.M.—and will receive the first of eight RESIDENCE DOCTORAL STUDIES GRANTS, awarded to all students having earned “Doctoral” status in the School of Church Ministries.

The Degrees

D.M.A. (52 credit hours on campus)

The purpose here is to prepare graduates toward performing, teaching, or administering in higher education. The equivalent of a Southern Seminary Master of Music and documented indications of professional excellence serve as pre-requisites. One foreign language, usually French or German, is required. No grade lower than a “B” may be counted toward the degree.

D.M.M. (40 credit hours on campus)

The purpose here is to prepare graduates toward a deepening understanding of service in the local church, denominational work, or music missions. The equivalent of a Southern Seminary Master of Church Music and three years of full-time church music related experience serve as pre-requisites. No grade lower than “B-” may be counted toward the degree.

The word “equivalent” indicates that Southern Seminary course requirements may be satisfied in several ways: taking the course, auditing the course, transferring credit from another school, being examined by the respective faculty member, being assisted by the respective faculty member, or being granted course credit for professional experience.

Comprehensive Examinations

Once courses and recitals have been completed, the Doctoral Candidate is tested over the major areas of study. Once the Comprehensive Examinations are completed, the student is free to pursue final elements of the degree.

Final Paper

For the D.M.A., the Final Paper is always a dissertation—either a research work or an annotated musical composition.

For the D.M.M., the Final Paper can take one of three forms—a research work, an annotated musical composition, or an “Integrative Essay,” based upon personal experience and insights gleaned in light of doctoral study.

Oral Examination

All doctoral students realize the culmination of their work during a two-hour oral examination. Members of the Dissertation Committee host the examination, but all members of the School of Church Ministires faculty are invited to participate.

For the D.M.A., the discussion always centers around the dissertation.

For the D.M.M., the discussion centers either around a formal project or “Integrative Essay.”

Length of Time Allowed

The suggested time for completion of Southern Seminary Doctoral Degrees is four years. All Doctoral Degrees must be completed in six years.

These programs are not currently accepting new enrollments.