Japes

I am in a "PhD in Music (Composition)" program, which I am unsure is the same as "PhD in Music Composition." I am asked to prepare a recital of 50 to 60 minutes of music. I understand that this is standard in a composition program. However, the level of music I have written for visiting ensembles, or commissioned works by outside performers, exceeds that of many of the student performers at the school. I have read through various chapters of the NASM accreditation handbook online. It sounds like I, as a student, may propose alternative ways to satisfy program requirements, if the proposed work is comparable to the original requirement. I would like to propose to the faculty a portfolio submission in lieu of the recital. Has anyone heard of this in a PhD program? In my Master's many of us, including myself, were on a film scoring track and we had a choice of submitting a demo reel and/or recital. I mean, my current program is not a DMA, right?