GRADUATE DEGREES

Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education

Visit the Penn State Music Education website

Program Goals
Penn State’s Ph.D. program in Music Education is designed to provide opportunities for a high level of scholarly study in the processes of teaching and learning music. Candidates will be expected to develop and test new knowledge in the field of music education while preparing themselves for positions in higher education or other leadership roles within the profession.

Program Description
The Ph.D. program offers advanced study of the process of teaching and learning music with a research-based perspective for individuals seeking greater breadth and depth in the music education profession and/or careers in higher education and music administration.  The Ph.D. program consists of courses, internships and other experiences designed to prepare individuals for specific leadership roles in music education.  Course work is distributed through the areas of music, theories and practices in teaching, learning and assessment, and research.  The exact number of credits required in the program will vary according to a student’s previous experience and degrees.  A minimum of 47 credits is required.  The program culminates with a major research project and thesis that is not included in the minimum credit requirement.  At least one academic year of full-time residency is required.  However, 2 or more years of full-time study are advantageous.  A portion of the course work can be completed through summer study.  Some of the courses required in Educational Psychology may be taken at other Penn State campuses or at other universities.  Knowledge of the history and theory of Western art music must be demonstrated by satisfactory completion of competency examinations or completion of specified remedial courses in addition to the curricular requirements listed here.

Sequence to the Degree
Acceptance by graduate program in music education
Completion of 12 hours of graduate credit
Candidacy examination
            Designing program of course and other experiences
            Acceptance as a Ph.D. candidate
Completion of course work and submission of manuscript
Completion of residency
Comprehensive examination
Approval of research project
Completion of research project
Defense of thesis
Awarding of degree

Admission Requirements and Procedures
Applicants for the Ph.D. in music education should have completed recognized bachelor's and master's degrees in music or music education. Applicants whose master's degree did not include a research project with a formal report will be expected to complete such a project or produce a publishable manuscript prior to scheduling the candidacy examination.

The admission process begins with completion of the on-line graduate admission application (the new web address is http://gradsch.psu.edu/portal/) and payment of the application fee. The application fee is non-refundable. Information about the graduate application fee can be found at http://gradsch.psu.edu/prospective/apply.html.

Applications without fees cannot be processed. All other application materials including official transcripts, MAT (Miller Analogies Test) score, and TOEFL score (international applicants only) must be sent to the School of Music.

The following items should be sent to the School of Music:

1. A letter of application including a description of career goals and the contribution that doctoral study will make toward the attainment of those goals
 
2. Three letters of recommendation confirming the applicant's musicianship and teaching ability

3. A VHS videotape or DVD/CD of at least twenty minutes of classroom teaching and/or conducting that demonstrates the applicant's teaching skill and musicianship

4. A brief résumé of teaching/conducting experience that includes model lesson plans, examinations, and/or repertoire lists

5. A score report of the applicant’s performance on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT).
The web address for information on the MAT is http://www.milleranalogies.com.  The MAT is a high-level mental ability test requiring the solution of problems stated as analogies.  Research by psychologists on human intelligence and reasoning has found performance on analogies to represent one of the best measures of verbal comprehension and analytical thinking. Performance on the MAT is designed to reflect candidates’ analytical thinking, an ability that is critical for success in both graduate school and professional life.  

To take the MAT at your choice of one of the more than 500 Controlled Testing Centers (CTCs) in the United States, Canada, or overseas, apply directly to the Controlled Testing Centers.  The locations and phone numbers of all the current CTCs are listed in MAT Controlled Testing Centers.  Once you determine where you wish to take the MAT, contact the CTC directly for instructions concerning how to apply to take the MAT and about its fee requirement.

Applicants will be asked to submit samples of their writing upon receipt of materials outlined above.
After the application file is complete, the applicant's materials will be reviewed by the music education faculty. If the applicant is considered to be a viable candidate, he/she will be invited for an interview.


In summary, the following items MUST be received before an application can be reviewed:

□ Completed online Graduate School Application and paid application fee
http://gradsch.psu.edu/portal/

□ Two sets of official transcripts from all institutions of higher education attended*
(Transcript Request Form is available at web address below)
http://gradsch.psu.edu/portal/

□ Three letters of recommendation (we do not have a recommendation form; the recommenders should use school or personal stationery.)

□ Letter of application including statement of goals

□ VHS videotape or DVD/CD of classroom teaching/conducting

□ Résumé including lesson plans, examinations, repertoire lists

□ Miller Analogies Test scores

□ TOEFL score - official form (international applicants only)

□ Application for VISA Document and Financial Certification forms with financial guarantee information (international applicants only) (forms available online at
http://www.international.psu.edu/iss/pdf/VisaApp.pdf)

*An official transcript is an official listing from a university of all courses taken, including grades earned for each course.  The transcript must also list the title of the degree and the date the degree was conferred, if the student has already graduated.  If the transcripts do not list this information, then the original diploma must be included with the transcripts.  International applicants must submit official or attested university records, with certified translations if the records are not in English.  Notarized copies of the official transcripts are not sufficient.

Direct all inquiries and send materials to:

SCHOOL OF MUSIC
GRADUATE ADMISSIONS
THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
233 MUSIC BUILDING
UNIVERSITY PARK PA 16802-1901
Phone: 814-865-1052
Fax: 814-865-6785
E-mail: music-gr-adm@psu.edu