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

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

Standardized tests (GRE or MAT) are NOT required.

All 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

Additional Requirements for International Applicants

An English language test score is required for all applicants who have not completed a bachelor's degree in an English-based curriculum. Learn more about Score Reporting for Tests of Academic English.

Program Admissions Requirements

MA Dance

  • Applicants must submit an academic writing sample.
  • Please review and submit the Master's Audition Requirements.
  • We will contact you to schedule an online interview time after receiving your application materials. This year's virtual interview date will be December 7. If you miss the December interview date, a second interview date will be held on March 15. 

MFA Dance

  • Please review and submit the Master's Audition Requirements.
  • We will contact you to schedule an online interview time after receiving your application materials. This year's virtual interview date will be December 7. If you miss the December interview date, a second interview date will be held on March 15. 

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MM Choral Conducting

  • Prescreening and audition: View prescreening/audition requirements.
  • Application, supporting materials, and prescreening recording must be received by December 1 for Fall semester admission consideration.

MM Composition

Submit my Composition Portfolio

  • Applicants must submit a composition portfolio including PDF composition scores via Acceptd. Recordings can supplement the scores.
  • If an applicant has enrolled in the Seminar in Composition prior to their application for formal admission to the program in Composition, the work accomplished there may serve to meet this entrance requirement, if satisfactory.

MM Instrumental Conducting

  • Three letters of recommendation written by people familiar with your conducting and teaching
  • Prescreening and audition: View prescreening/audition requirements.
  • Written Analysis: Applicants must upload to Acceptd a written score analysis of Lincolnshire Posy by Percy Aldridge Grainger (edited by Frederick Fennell). Please include all six movements in your analysis. While there is no prescriptive length, the paper should be of sufficient length to cover the task at hand, including form, text, and melodic and harmonic analysis as appropriate.
  • All application materials (including three letters of recommendation, transcripts, resume, and prescreening recording) must be received by December 1 for Fall semester admission consideration.

MM Music Education

  • Required Coursework: Previously completed coursework must be the equivalent of a bachelor of music degree at Temple University (124-136 hrs). Applicants must hold a completed degree in Music Education.
  • Certification: Applicants must be certified to teach by at least one state in the US. A copy of the teaching certificate must be submitted.
  • Academic and Musical Profile (AMP) - Performance: Applicants must submit a digital video (no more than 15 minutes) via Acceptd 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. SUBMIT MY AMP - Performance
  • Academic and Musical Profile (AMP) - Written: The applicant 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.
  • Additional Materials: Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit any additional information that will help the 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.
  • Interview: After the application is complete, the applicant should contact the Music Education Department at 215-204-8310 to arrange an interview.

MM Music Education plus Certification

  • Required Coursework: Previously completed coursework must be the equivalent of a bachelor of music degree at Temple University (124-136 hrs).
  • Required Coursework: Applicants must show completion of at least six undergraduate credits in college-level math and at least six undergraduate credits in English composition and literature (combined).
  • Academic and Musical Profile (AMP) - Performance: Applicants must submit a digital video (no more than 15 minutes) via Acceptd 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. SUBMIT MY AMP - Performance
  • Academic and Musical Profile (AMP) - Written: The applicant 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.
  • Additional Materials: Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit any additional information that will help the 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.
  • Interview: After the application is complete, the applicant should contact the Music Education Department at 215-204-8310 to arrange an interview.

MM Performance, Opera, Jazz Studies, Collaborative Piano, Pedagogy

MM History

  • Applicants must upload a scholarly paper to the supplemental application checklist demonstrating the applicant's ability to analyze music and/or report research.

MM Theory

Applicants must submit a combined PDF to the supplemental application checklist containing the following:

  • A scholarly paper demonstrating the applicant's ability to analyze music and/or report research.
  • Two assignments from their work in theory courses: 1) An assignment of a compositional nature (counterpoint, a figured bass, a harmonized melody, an original composition, etc.), and 2) An assignment of an analytical nature (a formal analysis, a harmonic analysis, a pitch-class set analysis, etc.)

MMT Music Therapy or MMT Music Therapy Equivalency

  • Audition: Applicants are required to submit a recorded audition via Acceptd. See audition requirements for more information.
  • Interview: Interviews are scheduled after an application is complete. The MMT Program Coordinator will contact the applicant for available dates and times. An interview with the Music Therapy faculty is required for all those applying for assistantships.

MS Music Technology

  • Undergraduate Degree in Music.  Entry to the program is contingent on completion of an undergraduate degree in music or its equivalent, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (3.33 or higher preferred).  Those not holding a bachelor’s degree in music who are admitted to the M.S. degree in Music Technology are assigned additional undergraduate deficiency coursework at the time of admission to bring the student to the level of holding an equivalent degree in music.  This coursework is determined based on a review of the undergraduate transcript and through diagnostic examinations.
  • Music Technology work samples: Applicants must submit a portfolio via Acceptd. The purpose of the portfolio is to demonstrate originality, creativity, and the ability to work in one or more technological areas. Examples of tools one might use are: Pro Tools, Logic, Ableton Live, FL Studio, Cubase, Garageband, Sibelius, Finale, Max, Jitter, various microphones, synthesizers, interfaces, mixers, microcontrollers, sensors, and other hardware and/or software. Please submit finalized bounced files of your projects for these work samples (.mp3, wav, .aif for audio, .mp4 or .mov for video).  Note: the actual project files are not required, just the bounced files. The portfolio must include 2 or 3 original contrasting projects that highlight the applicant’s skills in music technology. Examples include, but are not limited to: 
    • a recording that was engineered by the applicant (this can include any aspects of production: recording, editing, mixing, or mastering, etc.)
    • a short film scored by the applicant
    • a composition, orchestration, or arrangement where music technology was used in its creation 
    • or a piece of software or hardware designed by the applicant
  • Video Descriptions: Applicants must submit a brief video description of 1 to 3 minutes in length for each project.  In each video, applicants should do the following: 
    • introduce themselves and tell us what software (e.g. DAW, video editing software, plugins, etc.) and/or hardware (e.g. mics, audio interface, MIDI controllers, etc.) they used to achieve their artistic goals
    • demonstrate how they used technology to create the project (please note: applicants should show us their work and talk us through it—for example, provide a screen recording of their DAW project showing key examples of how they produced the work).
    • indicate which parts of the project the applicant contributed to (including composition/songwriting, recording, editing, mixing, mastering, etc.). 
  • Resume: Applicants should submit a resume of professional and educational experience that includes degrees in progress or conferred, any musical activity in school or elsewhere, as well as other pertinent activities, awards or recognition, and employment.
  • Statement of Goals: Applicants should submit a written statement of goals of approximately 300-1000 words explaining why they wish to pursue studies in music technology, including current work in the field, academic and career aspirations, and why they would be a good fit at Temple and in Boyer’s Music Technology program. Writing should be clear and concise. 
  • No audition is required for entry into the program.
  • International applicants should submit a minimum TOEFL score of 79 (internet-based) or 550 (paper-based)

Questions?

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

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