Graduate Catalog: Music Programs

Philosophy Statement || Program Information || Admission Requirements || M.A. Music Education || Master of Music Therapy

Administrator: Sister Joan McCusker, I.H.M., Ph.D.

 

Philosophy Statement

In accordance with the goals and objectives of Marywood University, the graduate music programs enable students to acquire and further develop skills as outstanding professionals, leaders, and musicians in the fields of music education and music therapy. These degree programs offer students academic and practical training, current research practices and issues, and preparation for further graduate study. Marywood’s music programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). In addition, the music therapy program is approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).

Program Information

Marywood offers two graduate music degrees:

• Master of Arts in Music Education (MA)
• Master of Music Therapy (MMT)

 

The Master of Arts in Music Education, a 36-credit hour program, offers three distinct areas of concentration: K-12 vocal education, K-12 instrumental education, or music education/music history emphasis. The program includes courses offered during fall and spring semesters, summer sessions, as well as online courses. The Master of Arts in Music Education degree is coordinated by Associate Professor Sister Joan McCusker, I.H.M., Ph.D.

The Master of Music Therapy is designed to provide the professional music therapist with further breadth and depth of professional competencies in music, clinical, and music therapy foundations and principles. Included in the core program are specialty areas in counseling, gerontology, social work, or special education. The program offers two options: (1) a traditional 36-credit hour program and (2) a 60- credit hour program (including 48 academic credits plus 12 internship credits) designed to lead to state licensure. The Music Therapy Department is directed by Assistant Professor Sister Mariam Pfeifer, I.H.M., M.A., MT-BC, LCAT. The Master of Music Therapy degree is coordinated by Assistant Professor David Ramsey, DA, LCAT, ACMT.

Admission Requirements

General

Admission to graduate music programs is based on general requirements of Marywood University and on the recommendation of a departmental admissions committee. A departmental entrance examination in music theory and music history, an audition, and an interview are required. Applicants for a graduate degree in music must have a 3.00 undergraduate grade point average (“B” average). Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in music, or, in some cases, an undergraduate degree in another subject is sufficient if the candidate possesses the required level of musical and professional proficiency specific to the intended graduate degree program.

Master of Arts in Music Education

In addition to the general admissions requirements above, applicants for the Master of Arts in Music Education degree must have an undergraduate degree in music education and possess the K-12 music teaching certification. For those applicants choosing studies leading only to initial teacher certification in K-12 music, it is recommended that the undergraduate degree be in music. A videotape of the applicant’s teaching may be submitted to supplement his/her application.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that certain criteria be met prior to acceptance into certification or degree programs. Please contact Marywood’s Education Department to learn more about these specifications.

Master of Music Therapy

In addition to the general admissions requirements above, applicants for the Master of Music Therapy degree are required to submit an essay that will include a brief biography, personal and professional goals, area of special interest, and intent regarding full-time or part-time student status. Applicants are required to submit a CD or videotape demonstrating musical skills on piano, guitar, and voice as utilized in music therapy practice. The initial interview mentioned above will focus on music therapy competencies.

Candidates who do not possess a bachelor’s degree in music therapy and/or the Board Certification (MT-BC) credential must pursue the Equivalency in Music Therapy Certificate Program, fulfilling the American Music Therapy Association’s academic and clinical requirements. Please see the Music Therapy section of Marywood’s undergraduate catalog for a description of the Equivalency in Music Therapy Certificate Program.

Master of Arts in Music Education

36 semester hours

MAJOR COURSES: (15 hours required)

EDUC 502	Multidisciplinary Foundations of Education	3
MUSC 506	Psychology of Music	3
MUSC 521	Seminar in Elementary Education	3
MUSC 522	Seminar in Secondary Education	3
MUSC 543	Introduction to Music Bibliography and Research	3

SUPPORTIVE COURSES: (12 hours required)

MUSC 501	Computers and Technology for the Musician	3
MUSC 511	Analytical Techniques	3
MUSC 519	Seminar in World Music	3
MUSC 525	Administration and Supervision of Music Education	3

ELECTIVES: (9 hours)

Music Education/Music History Emphasis:

* MUSC varies	Seminar in Music History	3 each
MUSC 527	History and Philosophy of Music Education	3
MUSC 528	Seminar in Working with Special Needs Students	3

Vocal Emphasis:

MUSC 530	Choral Arranging	3
MUSC 531	Choral Literature and Conducting	3
MUSC 545	Seminar in Vocal Pedagogy I	3
MUSC 546	Seminar in Vocal Pedagogy II	3

Instrumental Emphasis:

MUSC 520	Instrumental Literature and Conducting	3
MUSC 526	Care and Repair of Instruments	3
MUSC 536	Instrumental Arranging	3
MUSC 550-554, 558	Applied Music	various

*Six different seminars are offered on a rotating basis each specific to certain style periods (MUSC 507, 512, 513, 516, 517, 518).

Two semesters of ensemble participation are required for no credit.

Master of Music Therapy

Option I: 36 credit hours (Traditional track)

MAJOR COURSES: (18 hours required)

M TH 510	Theories in Creative Arts Therapy	3
M TH 511	Assessment and Appraisal in Music Therapy	3
M TH 512	Ethical & Legal Issues in Music Therapy	3
M TH 513	Advanced Improvisation and Arranging	3
M TH 550	Music Therapy Graduate Practicum–Seminar I	3
Plus: PSY 501	Research Methods	3
OR
PSY 503	Research and Statistics I	3*

*Specialty in Counseling must take PSY 503 Research and Statistics I

SUPPORTIVE SPECIALITY COURSES: (12 hours required)

Specialty in Counseling

PSY 514	Human Development	3
PSY 561	Introduction to Psychological Testing	3
M TH 551	Music Therapy Graduate Practicum–Seminar II	3
Plus: PSY 572	Introduction to Group Psychotherapy	3
OR
COUN 543	Group Process in Counseling	3

Specialty in Gerontology

GER 510	Concepts and Issues in Gerontology (SW 941)	3
GER 520	Psychological Perspectives on the Aging (PSY 540)	3
GER 525	Aging Changes and Health Problems	3
M TH 551	Music Therapy Graduate Practicum–Seminar II	3
Note: Those wishing to specialize in the administration of facilities for the elderly should substitute the following for GER 520 and 525 above:
GER 527	Gerontological Services Administration	3
GER 528	Administration of Long-Term Care	3

Specialty in Special Education

S ED 500	Law, Special Education and Service Delivery	3
S ED 507	Characteristics of Students with Disabilities	3
S ED 539	Behavior Management Approaches	3
M TH 551	Music Therapy Graduate Practicum–Seminar II	3

Specialty in Social Work

M TH 551	Music Therapy Graduate Practicum–Seminar II	3
Plus choose nine (9) credits from the following:
SW 535	Child Welfare Practice and Services	3
SW 625	Critical Issues in Chemical Dependence	3
SW 908	Women’s Issues and the Practice of Social Work	3
SW 925	Critical Issues in Ethnic and Racial Experience	3
SW 965	Human Sexuality: Issues for Social Work	3

ELECTIVES (6 hours required)

PSY 514	Human Development	3*
M TH 514	Foundations of Creative Arts Therapy and Psychopathology.	3
MUSC 519	Seminar in World Music (includes Social/Cultural Aspects)	3
M TH 515	Level I of Bonny Guided Imagery and Music (suggested elective)	3
(Prerequisite for levels 2 and 3 in becoming a fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery)
Plus: PSY 572	Introduction to Group Psychotherapy	3**
OR
COUN 543	Group Process in Counseling	3

*Available to all but Counseling specialization

**Not available for Counseling specialization if already taken as supportive course for counseling specialty.

Functional competencies are required in applied music (voice, guitar, and keyboard) and music technology.

Two semesters of ensemble participation are required for no credit. Summary evaluations in the context of the required practicum/seminars are required.

Option II: 60 credit hours (Licensure track)

MAJOR COURSES: (24 hours required)

M TH 510	Theories in Creative Arts Therapy	3
M TH 511	Assessment and Appraisal in Music Therapy	3
M TH 512	Ethical & Legal Issues in Music Therapy	3
M TH 513	Advanced Improvisation and Arranging	3
M TH 540	Clinical Application, Instruction, and Supervision	3
M TH 541	Clinical Application, Instruction, and Seminar	3
M TH 550	Music Therapy Graduate Practicum–Seminar I	3
Plus: PSY 501	Research Methods	3
OR
PSY 503	Research and Statistics I	3*

*Specialty in Counseling must take PSY 503 Research and Statistics I

SUPPORTIVE COURSES (12 hours required)

PSY 514	Human Development	3*
M TH 514	Foundations of Creative Arts Therapy and Psychopathology	3
MUSC 519	Seminar in World Music (includes Social/Cultural Aspects)	3**
COUN 543	Group Process in Counseling	3
Available to counseling specialization students who have already taken PSY 514 as supportive credits for specialty:
M TH 515	Level I of Bonny Guided Imagery and Music (suggested elective)	3
(Prerequisite for levels 2 and 3 in becoming a fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery)

*Available to all but Counseling specialization

**Required for licensure in Pennsylvania

SUPPORTIVE SPECIALTY COURSES (12 hours required)

See Specialties listed in Option I above

12

INTERNSHIP FOR PENNSYLVANIA LICENSURE (12 hours required)

M TH 560

Music Therapy Supervised Internship

12

 

 

Music Programs Courses