The School of Music offers courses of study leading to the Doctor of Philosophy in church music and the Doctor of Musical Arts in church music.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have earned a master’s degree in music from an accredited college or university. Applicants are encouraged to have significant prior professional experience in the field of music. At least two years of full-time employment or the equivalent in part-time and/or volunteer work is recommended.

Prospective students must submit official GRE scores. The GRE must have been taken within five years of the application for admission. Normal expectations for PhD students are a combined Verbal/Quantitative score of at least 300, with a minimum Verbal score of 153; expectations for DMA students are a combined score of at least 297, with a minimum Verbal score of 152.

Students from non-English speaking countries must take the Test Of English as a Foreign Language and submit a minimum score of 600 (250 computer-based, 100 internet-based). (Comparable scores on the IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo exams may also be submitted.) Applicants also must submit a master’s thesis or significant research paper as a writing sample. The research paper may take the form of a published book or article, a major paper for a master’s-level course, or a paper written specifically to fulfill this requirement. The writing sample must demonstrate familiarity with appropriate research techniques, originality of thought, and ability to write with clarity.

Applicants will have a face-to-face interview with the Church Music faculty. The applicant should prepare a curriculum vita for the interview that includes all relevant academic and professional experience as well as goals and plans for the future. Prospective DMA students must audition for and be accepted by the Church Music and applied faculties in their area of performance. No audition is required for PhD applicants.

Three letters of recommendation are required. At least one should be from a person qualified to comment on the applicant’s master’s degree work, and at least one should be from a person who can speak to the applicant’s music activity in a local congregation.

Diagnostic examinations in music history, music theory, conducting, voice, and piano will be administered to each student.