Doctoral Certificate in Computer Music
The Doctoral Certificate in Computer Music (DCCM) is offered by the Department of Music through the Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics. It provides a structured path for Stanford doctoral students in Composition, Ethnomusicology, and Musicology to pursue a supplementary curriculum in computer music alongside their primary doctoral work. Students complete the Certificate within a self-directed and advisor-approved framework to explore and deepen their understanding and practice of computer music.
Admission
Beginning in AY 2025-26, doctoral students in Music may apply to add the Doctoral Certificate in Computer Music (DCCM) program at any time during their first or second year of Ph.D. / DMA study. The request should be made no later than the end of Summer of Year 2*. The student should consult with their doctoral program advisor and with the member of the CCRMA faculty whom they would like to serve as their DCCM advisor. The student should submit a CV and a letter that names their chosen DCCM advisor and describes their interest in and goals for the DCCM to CCRMA’s Director and the Department of Music’s Graduate Student Services officer. The CCRMA faculty in the Department of Music adjudicate requests.
Requirements
The student must complete at least 18 units of CCRMA coursework, comprising these three specific courses plus electives approved by their DCCM advisor:
- Music 201: CCRMA Colloquium, 1 unit
- Music 220A: Fundamentals of Computer-Generated Sound or Music 220B: Compositional Algorithms, Psychoacoustics, and Computational Music, minimum 3 units
- Music 220C: Research Seminar in Computer-Generated Music or Music 220D: Research in Computer-Generated Music, minimum 3 units. This requirement will include the realization of a personal project for the DCCM.
- Other CCRMA courses: minimum 11 units
Students are advised to design their certificate coursework carefully while respecting the timeline for required milestones such as Qualifying Exams, Portfolio Reviews, Special Area exams, and dissertation proposal in their primary doctoral program. The original time frame for degree progress remains as it is and there is no incremental funding available for participation in the DCCM.
*Music doctoral students who finished their second year of study before AY 2024-25 may request entry to the DCCM in AY 2024-25.