Doctor of Philosophy in Music

The Music Ph.D. program includes four concentrations: Composition, Music Studies, Music Theory, and Musicology. Each concentration includes a small core of required courses, allowing students to develop their remaining coursework with an advisor to focus on their particular scholarly or creative interests. The concentration in Music Studies allows students to combine disciplines (e.g., Music Theory/Composition or Musicology/Music Theory) in order to face the changes evident in the scholarly/creative fields in music departments throughout the world. Develop expertise in one of four areas of specialization with the PhD in Music in Temple's Boyer College of Music and Dance. Students in this research-based doctoral program can choose from the Composition, Music Studies, Music Theory or Musicology concentrations, depending on their creative and scholarly interests. Graduates pursue careers in composition and higher education, as well as make significant contributions to academic research. Students have seven years to complete the Music PhD program on a full-time or part-time basis. At the end of your course work, you'll write a dissertation to demonstrate research skills gained during your time in the program. Composition students must compose an original work as part of their final dissertation.

Master's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: For each of the four concentrations, the following master's degree is expected:

Composition
A degree in Music is expected, a degree in Composition is preferred.

Music Studies
A degree in Music is expected.

Music Theory
A degree in Music is expected, a degree in Music Theory is preferred.

Musicology
A degree in Music is expected, a degree in Musicology/Music History is preferred.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: For each of the four concentrations, the following baccalaureate degree is expected:

Composition
A degree in Music is expected, a degree in Composition is preferred.

Music Studies
A degree in Music is expected.

Music Theory
A degree in Music is expected, a degree in Music Theory is preferred.

Musicology
A degree in Music is expected, a degree in Musicology/Music History is preferred.

Statement of Goals: Include your special interests within the discipline and your expectations for the program.

Standardized Test Scores:
GRE/MAT: Required.

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
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.
Portfolio: For those undertaking the Composition concentration, a portfolio is required. Applicants must submit, via Acceptd, evidence of compositional activity. If an applicant has enrolled in MUST 8740 Seminar in Composition prior to submitting her/his application for formal admission to the program in Composition, the work accomplished there may serve to meet this entrance requirement, if satisfactory.

For the concentrations in Music Studies, Music Theory, and Musicology, a portfolio is not required.

Resume: Current resume required.