PhD and DMA applicants must submit a complete Temple University application, fee and supporting materials.  The checklist for all doctoral programs is listed below. Please be sure to read through the additional program-specific materials.

To check on your application status, please log into your TUPortal account.

Transcripts should be emailed (preferred) directly from your institution or through a transcript service to boyer@temple.edu OR mailed to the following address.
James Short
Temple University
Boyer College of Music and Dance
2001 N. 13th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122

Program Admissions Requirements

Performance DMA

Performance DMA applicants must submit a

• video prescreening recording through Acceptd, and
• scholarly writing sample through Acceptd.

All application materials, including the video recording and writing sample, are due by December 1. Learn more about the audition requirements. 

*We are not accepting applications to the DMA Piano program for the 2024-2025 academic year. 

Dance PhD

Students must:

• submit a scholarly writing sample.
• We will contact you to schedule an online interview time after receiving your application materials. The interview date will be Saturday, December 2nd. If you miss the December interview date, a second interview date will be held on Saturday, March 16th. 

Music PhD in Composition, Music Studies, Music Theory or Musicology

Composition

Applicants must submit the following materials. 

• Composition: Submit evidence of compositional activity through Acceptd. If an applicant has enrolled in the Seminar in Composition course prior to his or her application for formal admission to the program in Composition, the work accomplished there may serve to meet this entrance requirement, if satisfactory.
• Scholarly Paper: Submit a research paper no fewer than 12 pages through Acceptd.
• Personal Statement: Write a personal statement up to three pages in length that discusses your scholarly or compositional interests. Your statement should include the reason(s) why you have chosen the Boyer College of Music and Dance to pursue your education.

Following the review of your materials, the Music Studies Department will contact you to set up a phone or Zoom interview.

Music Studies, Music Theory, Musicology

Applicants must submit the following materials. 

• Scholarly Papers: Submit two research papers on contrasting topics, no fewer than 12 pages each. 
• Personal Statement: Write a personal statement up to three pages in length that discusses your scholarly or compositional interests. Your statement should include the reason(s) why you have chosen the Boyer College of Music and Dance to pursue your education.

Following the review of your materials, the Music Studies Department will contact you to set up a phone or Zoom interview.

Music Education PhD

Applicants should fulfill the following requirements.

• Education: Applicants must have a master's degree in Music Education.
• Certification: Applicants must be certified to teach by at least one state in the United States. A copy of the teaching certificate must be submitted with the application.
• Teaching Experience: Applicants must have a minimum of three years of full-time (or the equivalent) of elementary or secondary teaching experience.
• Academic and Musical Profile: Applicants must submit an academic and musical profile, which includes
  • a digital video (no more than 15 minutes) of representative instruction episodes that adequately demonstrate both teaching skills and musicianship. The recording may include any type of music teaching. Applicants should include a brief written narrative explaining the contents of the video. All videos should be submitted through Acceptd. 
  • a writing exam, for which applicants will have 90 minutes to demonstrate writing skills and general knowledge about music education. The exam is scored by Music Education faculty members. Results are considered in the admissions decision. Additional coursework may be required to remediate inadequacies.
• Scholarly Paper: Applicants should submit a paper that was completed during the master's degree. This paper should demonstrate the applicant's scholarship and writing ability.
• Additional Materials: Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit any additional information that will help faculty in the admission decision; items may include, but are not limited to, digital recordings of compositions or arrangements, recordings of performance groups, lesson or rehearsal plans, curriculum development material, and recital performance recordings.

 After the application is complete, the applicant should contact the Music Education Department at 215-204-8310 to arrange an interview.

Music Therapy PhD

*We are presently not accepting applications for this program.

Applicants should fulfill the following requirements.

• Education: Applicants must have a bachelor's degree in any music-related area or its equivalent. Applicants must have a master's degree in music therapy or related area, or satisfactorily completed 18 graduate credits in Music Therapy, including the following courses at Temple, or similar courses from another accredited graduate music therapy program.
  • 8601 Qualitative Research in Music Therapy (2 s.h.)
  • 8602 Quantitative Research in Music Therapy (2 s.h.)
  • 8603 Music Psychotherapy (2 s.h.)
  • 8618 Music in Medicine (2 s.h.)
  • 8619 Music Therapy Education and Supervision (2 s.h.)
  • 8621 Music Therapy Ethics (2 s.h.)
  • 9995 Independent Project in Music Therapy (2 semesters @ 3 s.h. each)
• Certification: Applicants must hold professional certification in music therapy.
• Clinical Experience: Applicants should have a minimum of five years of full time clinical experience (or its equivalent) as a professional music therapist is required.
• Scholarly Paper: Applicants should submit a paper on music therapy. This paper should be written in English, and demonstrate the applicant's scholarship and writing ability (published or unpublished).
• Audition: Applicants will be asked to meet audition requirements.
• Interview: Applicants will be invited to a personal interview with the Music Therapy faculty.
• Writing Proficiency Exam: At the time of the audition and interview, applicants will take a one-hour writing proficiency examination. The exam requires the applicant to write an essay on a topic selected from the list provided.

Questions?

If you have questions about the admissions process, send an email to Music: boyer@temple.edu or Dance: dance@temple.edu.