Professional Studies - Music Certificate (Graduate)

Prepare for a career as a soloist or as an ensemble performer with the Professional Studies - Music Certificate (Graduate) in Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance. This highly specialized, 18-credit, full-time certificate program is specifically tailored to provide rigorous training in one performance area for students who already perform at the post-master’s level or who seek training for professional development. Over one year, you’ll focus solely on your instrument through private lessons and elective courses chosen based on your individual needs.

The program’s curriculum integrates a conservatory approach so you study the advanced techniques and pedagogy necessary for a career in opera or voice, or to play in an orchestra or symphony.

You can choose from instrumental disciplines such as brass, cello, classical guitar, double bass, historical keyboard instruments, opera, percussion, piano, viola, violin and woodwinds, as well as opera or voice. Refine your musicianship, and understand the demands and requirements of a career in music. You’ll collaborate with other students as part of your ensemble experience with coursework that includes electives in music theory, music history or performance practice. Learn more about the curriculum for your discipline.

Guided by award-winning faculty members, more than half of whom hold seats within the Philadelphia Orchestra, you’ll receive hands-on, specialized instruction to help shape your future career in music. As part of Temple’s Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts, Professional Studies Graduate Certificate students have access to state-of-the-art performance, recording and rehearsal facilities, including Presser Hall and the Temple Performing Arts Center.

Classes and Curriculum

Courses vary depending on instrument for the Professional Studies Certificate program, although the curriculum for each comprises significant performance experience.

In the Brass, Classical Guitar, Double Bass, Percussion and Woodwinds curriculum, courses include

Instrumental Ensembles, and two terms of
Professional Studies in Applied Music.

In the Cello, Viola and Violin curriculum, courses include

Instrumental Ensembles,
Orchestral Repertoire, and two terms of
Professional Studies in Applied Music.

In the Historical Keyboard, Piano and Voice curriculum, courses include

Ensemble, Accompanying, Literature or Repertoire, and two terms of
Professional Studies in Applied Music.

In the Opera curriculum, courses include

Opera Role Preparation and
Opera Vocal Lessons.

Learn more about courses in the Professional Studies Certificate program.

Careers

The Professional Studies Graduate Certificate program is tailored to provide students with the advanced performance experience necessary to pursue a career in music. Graduates are prepared for careers as solo musicians or as key players in ensembles and orchestras.

Career Services

As a Temple student, you can also visit the University’s Career Center for support during your job or internship search. Drop in for a short visit or schedule a 30-minute coaching session to discuss components of your professional profile, including your résumé and LinkedIn presence.

Career services can provide

assessments of your professional direction,
job postings for students and alumni,
listings of job search resources, and
support for job search strategies.

Learn more about Temple’s Career Center.

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, this Graduate Certificate offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2024–2025 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,239.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,652.00 per credit

You can view the full cost of attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

Boyer Scholarships

Tuition scholarships are available for Professional Studies Certificate students. However, graduate assistantships, including academic internships, teaching assistantships and research assistantships, are not available. All awards are highly competitive and based on a record of academic and artistic excellence.

For more information, contact

Edward Flanagan, associate professor and associate dean for student affairs.
Phone: 215-204-8301
Email: edward.flanagan@temple.edu

Ensembles

Instrumental Ensembles

Boyer students have opportunities to perform in more than 10 instrumental-based ensembles, comprised of bands, orchestras and more. Ensembles include the

Chamber Orchestra, which performs larger chamber works in a true chamber music setting. The Chamber Orchestra generally performs one concert per semester and on occasion has joined with the Temple University Concert Choir in a combined performance.
Diamond Marching Band, which performs at athletic events throughout the academic year, including traditional pregame and varied halftime shows throughout the season. The “Pride of The Cherry and White” Marching Band performs at all home games and also travels to select away games.
Opera Orchestra, which accompanies Opera Theater each semester in a fully staged production.
Percussion Ensemble, which provides a quality educational chamber music experience for its members, promotes the performance of percussion literature in a variety of styles, and encourages the composition of new works for the medium.
Symphony Orchestra, an orchestra comprised of undergraduate and graduate students. The orchestra has performed in recent years at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, as well as Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center.
Wind Symphony ensemble comprises advanced graduate and undergraduate musicians and performs at least six formal concerts throughout the academic year.

Learn more about instrumental studies ensembles and other Boyer ensembles.

Choral Ensembles

Temple University’s choirs have enjoyed a rich tradition of excellence under the batons of some of Philadelphia's most prominent conductors. Comprised of nearly 200 students each year, the ensembles continually receive regional and national acclaim for their performances. Students can earn one credit for most of the ensembles. Consider joining an ensemble, like the

Learn more about Temple University choirs and other Boyer ensembles.

Additional information

Student Clubs & Organizations

Participating in student groups provides peer support and future professional contacts. There are more than 200 student organizations at Temple University.

American Choral Directors Association provides students opportunities to experience choral conducting through guest lectures and rehearsal practice, and offers opportunities to earn practical experience through various regional and state conferences.
OWLchestra Community Orchestra is a community string orchestra composed of students and community members who want to play music together in a low-stress environment.
Temple University Percussion Club holds educational clinics, events and weekly meetings guided by percussion faculty members and professional percussionists, covering an array of drum-related topics such as percussion gear and marching percussion.

Learn more about clubs and organizations.

Facilities

Temple’s Main Campus is home to a range of classroom and performance facilities for music and dance students, including a number of performing arts venues for student ensembles, practice rooms and state-of-the-art technology.

Presser Hall

Presser Hall is one of nine buildings that houses Boyer College of Music and Dance. It is open 24 hours during the academic year for students. The building features state-of-the-art AV and recording equipment, labs, and rehearsal rooms.

Presser Hall is home to 16 new practice rooms and a three-room recording studio, including four new Steinway model pianos for Rock Hall. In addition, two of the Wenger practice rooms in Presser Hall have virtual acoustic environment effects installed.

Temple Performing Arts Center

Temple Performing Arts Center (TPAC) is where Boyer’s large ensembles perform, including the orchestra, wind symphony, choirs, percussion and jazz band. TPAC is also home to Lew Klein’s auditorium and Boyer’s annual MOSAIC concert during Homecoming weekend. During the school year, the center will host holiday concerts, film screenings, receptions, guest lectures and classes.

Conwell Dance Theater

The Conwell Dance Theater is a fully equipped 175-seat black box theater.

Rock Hall

Rock Hall features a 325-seat auditorium with surround sound and 6500 lumens Panasonic video projection. It is equipped with practice rooms, computer music labs, small ensemble rehearsal rooms, an audition room, a green room, and harpsichord- and harp-dedicated rooms.

Temple University Center City

Temple University Center City (TUCC) is located just across the street from City Hall, surrounded by the home offices of major national corporations. TUCC is the continuing education destination for aspiring Owls in the central part of Philadelphia. For Boyer students, TUCC offers a PhD in Music Therapy. However, interested students may have to take one or more courses on another campus to complete this degree at Temple University Center City.

Learn more about Boyer College of Music and Dance facilities and technology.

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