Bachelor of Music Major in Music Therapy

Music Therapy combines the study of music with study in the behavioral sciences, and builds skills for careers as music therapists in hospitals, special education programs, mental health and rehabilitation centers, convalescent homes, correctional facilities, development centers and in the community on contract as specialists in music therapy. The Music Therapy program is approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). The Bachelor of Music degree in Music Therapy is earned at the completion of four years of coursework plus six months of clinical internship (MTHR 187). Students are eligible for the Board Certification Examination upon the completion of the internship at an approved clinical facility. Students must be enrolled for at least one unit of MTHR 187 during the semesters that cover the start and completion dates of the internship. Final grade for all sections of MTHR 187 is given only upon receipt of the final internship evaluation. In order to complete the Music Therapy degree, students must obtain a grade of B- or better in Music Therapy courses and demonstrate interpersonal and professional skills appropriate to the clinical profession as evaluated by the Music Therapy Faculty. A student who does not receive such a grade following the second attempt through a particular course is disqualified from the Music Therapy major. A student who receives a grade of less than B- in either MTHR 011 or MTHR 018 may not enroll in upper-division Music Therapy core courses until a B- grade or better is obtained in each of these lower-division courses. All Music Therapy majors are required to demonstrate functional proficiencies on piano, guitar, and voice before they enroll in the senior level capstone courses MTHR 141, MTHR 142, and MTHR 150 section 02. Voice competencies are assessed in the MAPP 001E voice class and during fieldwork. All students, regardless of major instrument, must complete the voice competencies, pass all parts of the piano functional examination, and both beginning and advanced level functional guitar examinations. These examinations are given within the functional courses, but may also be passed at the examination time offered at the end of each semester. Clinical Musicianship Accompany self and ensembles proficiently. Play/sing a basic repertoire of traditional, folk, and popular songs in several keys. Social Science Foundations Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of normal human development, exceptionality, and psychopathology. Articulate common/specific principles of therapy and the importance of the therapeutic relationship. Music Therapy Foundations/Principles Demonstrate knowledge about the historical, philosophical, psychological, physiological, and sociological bases for the use of music as therapy. Explain the impact of contemporary issues in healthcare and education on music therapy practice. Identify various models of traditional and contemporary music therapy practice. Clinical Foundations Demonstrate knowledge of various client populations. Carry out clinical functions including: conducting assessments; planning treatment; implementing treatment; documenting progress (oral/written); and terminating treatment/planning discharge. Ethics and Professionalism Demonstrate knowledge of professional role and ethics. Demonstrate knowledge of professional standards of clinical practice; interdisciplinary collaboration in designing and implementing treatment programs; supervision and administration.