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Music Theory Certificate (Undergraduate)

Music Theory Traditional Undergraduate Certificate

Acquire compositional facility and the ability to analyze both tonal and atonal music with the 15-credit Music Theory Traditional Undergraduate Certificate in Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University. The certificate program provides you with a strong foundation for further academic and performanced-based work.

Housed within the Department of Music Studies, the Music Theory Traditional Certificate allows students to explore a number of areas including composition, performance and research. You’ll take a sequence of courses in music theory, progressing from a basic introduction to melody and modal counterpoint through more complex studies in diatonic modulation, advanced chromatic harmony and atonality. In the final theory course you’ll write exercises modeled on works by composers such as Wagner, Debussy, Schoenberg and Stravinsky.

If you are interested in the Music Theory Traditional Certificate, you must be in good standing and have completed at least 15 credits at Temple by the initial requested semester of certificate coursework.

    A Music Theory student, with hand on chin, looks down at his work while sitting among other students.

    Classes & Curriculum

    In this 15-credit program, you will take

    • Counterpoint,
    • Theory I,
    • Theory II and
    • Theory III.

    Learn more about Undergraduate Music Theory Traditional Certificate courses.

    Tuition & Fees

    The tuition for this Certificate Program is based on school or college of your major, program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website. You can also view the 2025–2026 tuition rates.

    Our Academic Advisors

    The Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts has a centralized advising office with five staff members. This advising team serves all undergraduate students in the Boyer College of Music and Dance and the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts.

    Advisors help students navigate the undergraduate curriculum for each degree program. The academic advising team for music, dance, theater, and film and media arts majors is located in Mitten Hall, Suite 200 West.

    To schedule an advising appointment based on your individual needs or for more help, contact the advising team.
    Phone: 215-204-2227

    Schedule an advising appointment.

    Program Contact

    Contact the following faculty member for more information about the Music Theory Traditional Undergraduate Certificate.

    Edward Latham is the chair of the Music Studies Department.
    Phone: 215-204-8498
    Email: 

    Additional Program Information