Doctor of Philosophy in Dance

The Dance Department offers programs of study leading to the Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. All students are expected to develop a command of the discipline of dance, as a performing art and as both subject and medium of inquiry. The department's mission places high value on the role of dance in a pluralistic, multicultural society. The Dance PhD degree in Temple's Boyer College of Music and Dance offers a rigorous curriculum of coursework and research, culminating in an in-depth dissertation project. Critical theory seminars in culture, history, pedagogy and philosophy are interwoven with experiential methodology studies. PhD graduates pursue careers in artistic direction, choreography and performance, as well as advocacy, dance administration, entrepreneurship, teaching in higher education, research and writing. Boyer's Dance PhD degree program is one of four in the country, and its curriculum is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance. Over four to six years, youll study dance as aesthetic behavior, a mode of inquiry and social communication, and a performing art. The curriculum emphasizes cultural, historical, and philosophical perspectives of dance and the body, dance learning and teaching across the life span, and performance theory and practice. Boyer's Dance faculty represent an array of research areas and specialties, including aesthetic, artistic, educational, ethnographic, historical, phenomenological and sociological modes of inquiry in dance. Faculty have performed at nationally known institutions such as Kariamu & Company: Traditions, the Martha Graham Dance Company, Metropolitan Opera Ballet and Pearl Lang Dance Company. Learn more about Dance PhD faculty members and their areas of study.

Master's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A master's degree in Dance, Dance Education, or a related field with substantial professional experience in dance, arts administration, teaching dance, or dance research is required.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A baccalaureate degree is required, although it need not be in Dance.
Applicants should have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0, a graduate GPA of 3.4 or above, and transcripts that show a foundational knowledge of dance.


Statement of Goals: Address your unique profile as a developing professional in the field of dance, as well as your ability to do original research. Reflect on why the Dance Department, i.e., the research foci of its doctoral faculty, its mission, and its resources, is well matched to the student's career and educational goals.

Standardized Test Scores:
GRE/MAT: Required. Scores should be at the 50th percentile or above, whether the GRE or MAT is taken.

Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master's degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:

TOEFL iBT: 100, 600 PBT minimum
IELTS Academic: 7.0

The minimum admissions standard for all graduate students is ordinarily an undergraduate grade point average of B or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or the functional equivalent for students who have attended universities outside of the United States.
Any students admitted with a TOEFL score below the minimum must pass an English skills course during their first term at Temple University.
Resume: A resume that details experience in dance, art, education, scholarship, and/or public leadership is required.

Writing Sample: A recent scholarly or academic research paper must be submitted as a writing sample.