Ph.D. in Music Technology

To begin the application process, visit IU Indianapolis' online graduate application.

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Submit short essay discussing the applicant’s ideas for doctoral research and arguing how their expertise and interests make them the a strong candidate for pursuing this research. In preparing this statement, applicants should identify the faculty member(s) that they are most interested in working with. The statement of purpose should not exceed three double-spaced pages.

You will be asked to provide contact details (i.e. names, street addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses) of three recommenders – faculty members or professional references – who will submit letters of recommendation through the online application system.

Recommenders will only receive an electronic request after you've submitted your online application. In the online framework, they will be asked to discuss aspects of your academic or professional performance, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Recommenders must submit their recommendations electronically.

The portfolio is the opportunity for the applicant to persuasively demonstrate the skills, knowledge, and potential ability to engage and contribute to high-quality research in music technology. The applicant may submit a portfolio of samples of previous professional, artistic, or academic work on music, technology, and/or related fields. The ideal portfolio will consist of both musical/technical artifacts and writing samples. The portfolio should be made available online (e.g. in your personal webpage) and the URL pointing to the portfolio should be included on the resumé submitted as part of the application.

Musical and technical artifacts may include, but are not limited to, musical compositions, recordings (please note your role in the recording process), performances, project deliverables, hardware and software development, web pages, digital musical instruments, audio code, acoustic designs, etc.

As part of the portfolio three samples of previous scholarly, academic, or technical work on music technology or related fields are required. These samples should represent the applicant’s ability to conduct research and write effectively about their area of specialization. Submission of published work is preferred.

A resumé or curriculum vitae (CV) will be submitted to document the applicant’s academic, scholarly, and career history.

The Music Technology Graduate Program Director will facilitate the applicant in making contact with potentially interested advisors. Prior to application, the student will be in contact with a Music and Arts Technology graduate faculty member, who will conditionally agree to serve as the applicant’s major advisor. This future major advisor will submit a support letter that will 1) clearly state that they will serve as the major advisor and 2) explain why the faculty member is a good match for this applicant’s particular research interests.

Official transcripts from each institution you attended must be sent to Herron's Office of Admissions and Student Services. Official transcripts must demonstrate a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and completion of a bachelor's degree.

If you are in the process of completing a bachelor's degree when you apply, a transcript showing your academic record through your current term of study is acceptable. If admitted to Herron, you must submit a final, official transcript verifying the completion and award of your degree.

For international students, if the original documents are not in English, a verified translation must be sent with your official transcripts.

Submitting electronic transcripts

If your institution(s) can submit official transcripts electronically, they can be emailed to hadmit@iu.edu.

If your school is sending limited-time login credentials that allow us to access their transcript system, be sure to make your request during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST).

Emailed unofficial PDFs of transcripts will not be accepted.

Submitting mailed hard copies

If there is an extenuating circumstance preventing the submission of official electronic transcripts, contact the Office of Admissions and Student Services at hadmit@iu.edu with an explanation and a representative will provide detailed mailing instructions.

Note: We do not require transcripts from Indiana University campuses.

The IU Indianapolis school code for the GRE is 1325 – enter this code on the exam’s answer sheets.

Proof of English proficiency is required for international students unless the applicant's undergraduate degree is from a university that is located in a country where English is the official language.

Most commonly, students submit TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores. TOEFL scores must total 79 or higher on the internet-based test (550 or higher on the paper-based test). IELTS scores must total 6.5 or higher.

Applicants must request that an official copy of their test results be sent directly to IU Indianapolis by the testing agency. The IU Indianapolis reporting code for TOEFL is 1325. Other tests or ELS coursework may be accepted in order to verify English proficiency.

For a list of all options and minimum scores required, please see the IU Indianapolis Office of International Affairs English Requirements.

For a full list of required documents, please visit the IU Indianapolis Office of International Affairs.