Music (Interdisciplinary Digital Media), DMA
Are you interested in a cross-section of the arts and science? Join a program that challenges you to develop advanced skills and explore creative possibilities in digital sound and experimental media.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
The National Association of Schools of Music accredits Arizona State U...
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Music (Interdisciplinary Digital Media), DMA degree description
The Doctor of Musical Arts program in music with a concentration in interdisciplinary digital media is a distinctive collaboration of the School of Music, Dance and Theatre and the School of Arts, Media and Engineering, with extensive faculty interaction from both schools.
If you have interests and the creative skills to work within a cross-section of the arts and sciences, the program is for you. Program offerings extend beyond typical music coursework to allow more opportunities for digital sound and experimental media projects and to enable you to be actively involved in current developments in the field of media and digital culture. You have access to state-of-the-art media facilities, hybrid arts-engineering faculty, and courses in electronic music, with resources that complement courses in electronic music.
In the program, you have multiple performance opportunities each year, including collaborations with student performers; readings by the ASU Symphony Orchestra and visiting ensembles; yearlong residencies with the ASU Wind Ensembles and the Philharmonia Orchestra; commissions for the PRISMS contemporary music festival; and collaborations with student animators, filmmakers and dancers.
You are encouraged to develop your own compositional voice and focus on your area of interest, regardless of style or aesthetics, while gaining extensive knowledge through coursework and private lessons with composition faculty members.
Why specialize in interdisciplinary digital media at ASU?
You build an excellent, broad-based foundation for work in the music profession while learning from internationally recognized artists, educators and scholars. Through the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, you tap into a network of alumni, internships, residencies and partnerships that reach across the arts.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
90 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation
Required Core (25-27 credit hours) Concentration (33 credit hours) Electives (9-11 credit hours) Research (9 credit hours) Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information MTC 523 and MTC 723 should each be taken for a total of six credit hours. Concentration coursework for the Arts, Media and Engineering area must have the AME prefix. Up to 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree, with approval from the academic unit and the Graduate College, may be used toward the hours required for the elective and concentration coursework. Additional information on degree requirements for this degree is available on the curriculum check sheet located on the Music, Dance and Theatre graduate degree page.
Music Theory Core Area (12-19)
Music History Core Area (6-15)
MTC 523 Advanced Composition (2-3)
MTC 723 Advanced Composition (3)
Arts, Media and Engineering coursework (21)
MTC 792 Research (9)
MTC 799 Dissertation (12)
Completion of diagnostic exams in musicology and music theory is required of all new graduate music students prior to enrollment in the ASU School of Music, Dance and Theatre.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Apply knowledge of music history and music theory to engineering disciplines.
- Apply software engineering skills to music, sound and video.
- Design a major independent research project that makes a unique contribution to the discipline of interdisciplinary digital media.
Apply knowledge of music history and music theory to engineering disciplines.Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a U.S. bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree from an institution in another country and officially recognized by that country. Applicants must have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 semester hours or 90 quarter-hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information The School of Music, Dance and Theatre does not offer conditional admission under any circumstances. Students should see the program website for application deadlines. After all application materials are received and reviewed, including recommendation letters, transcripts and English proficiency requirements, an applicant may be invited for a live interview.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. To meet English proficiency requirements, students should have a minimum TOEFL iBT® score of 4, or 80 (taken at a testing center) if taken before January 21, 2026; an IELTS overall band score of at least 6.5; or a Pearson Test of English score of at least 60.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 12/01 | Final* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 10/01 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this interdisciplinary digital media concentration prepares you for
The School of Music, Dance and Theatre graduate programs inspire and empower students to become creative leaders who transform society through music.
Musicians with expertise in performing, composing, teaching, researching and advocating for the arts are in high demand across many sectors and industries, including performing arts organizations, educational institutions, entertainment companies, health and wellness industries, and community arts organizations. Skills such as creativity, collaboration, innovation, entrepreneurship and the focused discipline needed for success as musicians are all highly valued by a wide range of companies and professions.
Career examples include:
- arts administrator
- community arts advocate
- composer for film, video games or television
- performing musician
- public or community school teacher
- university professor
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Music, Dance and Theatre
|
MUSIC E167
mdtadmissions@asu.edu
480-965-5069
Admission deadlines
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
