Completion of this program leads to board certification as a music therapist. Following the academic studies, and the required clinical training, the candidate is eligible to take the National Board Certification Examination for Music Therapists, designed and administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). The credential earned is Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC).

Students in the music therapy program complete a minimum of 1200 hours of clinical training, which has two components: pre-internship and internship. Pre-internship training consists of various practical field experiences with at least three different populations, taken by a student in conjunction with music therapy course work as pre-requisite for internship placement. Internship is the culminating, in-depth, supervised clinical training experience in an entry-level degree program in music therapy. Students may choose from the academic institution's roster of affiliated internship programs, the national roster of all AMTA-approved internship sites in collaboration with the music therapy advisor.

More About This Degree

• Learn more about this program or visit the Music, Theatre, and Dance website.
• College of Arts and Sciences
• Courses: Available courses in this department
• This program is accredited by the American Music Therapy Association
  

  The Undergraduate Music Therapy Program is accredited by the American Music Therapy Association, Inc.

National Association of Schools of Music


Marywood University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

A music therapy clinic/lab is housed in the Sette Laverghetta Center for Performing Arts. It includes fully accessible therapy rooms with one-way observation screens and the following equipment:

• Keyboard/piano
• CD player/audio equipment
• Traditional musical instruments used in treatment
• J&J Biofeedback interfaced with an IBM-PC
• A comfortable recliner chair utilized for those needing stress reduction /self-regulation treatment and for student research projects utilizing biofeedback
• A MidiCreator interfaced in an electronic keyboard to provide creative possibilities for clients with physical challenges

Completion of this degree prepares students for a career using music in a systematic sequence of interventions leading to specific changes or goals with children, adolescents, and adults requiring special services. A credentialed music therapist is employed in such places as:

• Community health centers
• Traditional state and private facilities serving persons with mental and physical challenges, including facilities for people with developmental disabilities
• General hospitals
• Allied health rehabilitation centers
• Day care centers
• Senior centers, nursing homes, and hospice care facilities
• Correctional facilities
• Schools
• Private practices

Torey

Marywood’s music education program was very comprehensive and the curriculum required me to learn so much beyond voice performance.

As far back as I can remember, I have been surrounded by music.  I always wanted to perform and thought I would pursue a career on stage.  Teaching was a back-up plan, but after spending time in the classroom freshman year, I soon learned that I loved it.  Marywood’s music education program was very comprehensive and the curriculum required me to learn so much beyond voice performance, including history, theory, and different instruments. 

I currently serve as a music educator in the North Pocono School District.  My favorite part of the job is passing on my love of music to the students.  I enjoy watching their love of the art grow over time.  It’s something I’m so passionate about, and it’s the most amazing feeling to see them feel that way, too.

Undergraduate Admissions Requirements

• Official SAT and/or ACT scores
• Completed application
• Essay
• Official transcripts
• Letter of recommendation

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               Requirements specific to vocal performance majors: 

B.M. in Music Therapy

Completion of this program leads to board certification as a music therapist. Following the academic studies and the required clinical training, the candidate is awarded the B.M. degree and is eligible to take the National Board Certification Examination for Music Therapists, designed and administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). The credential awarded is Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC).

The music therapy degree candidate must complete the required clinical training experience, which has two components: pre-internship and internship. Pre-internship training consists of various practical field experiences with at least three different populations, taken by a student in conjunction with music therapy coursework as prerequisite for internship placement.The degree culminates with an in-depth, supervised clinical training internship in music therapy at a nationally rostered or University-affiliated internship site. A minimum of 1,040 hours is required (or until entry-level competence is achieved) at an AMTA-approved clinical training site.

This competency-based curriculum prepares students for a career using music in a systematic sequence of interventions leading to specific changes with children, adolescents, and adults requiring special services. A credentialed music therapist is employed in such places as community health centers; traditional state and private facilities serving persons with mental and physical challenges, including psychiatric partial hospitalization day programs, group homes, and intermediate care facilities for people with developmental disabilities; general hospitals; allied health rehabilitation centers; day care centers; nursing homes; senior centers; hospice care; correctional facilities; schools; private practice; consultative work; and/or further graduate study. Professional membership is available through the American Music Therapy Association, Inc. (AMTA).

I. Basic Musicianship and Performance – 49-51 credits

II. Music Therapy Component – 29 credits

III. Behavioral/Health/Natural Sciences – 12 credits

Equivalency in Music Therapy Certificate Program

This program is designed for the student who holds a bachelor’s degree in music and wishes to seek board certification in order to begin professional practice as a music therapist. The equivalency program consists of all core music therapy and clinical training requirements, plus any pertinent courses in related fields (e.g., abnormal psychology, etc.) It should be noted that an equivalency program is regarded as entry level, regardless of the level of credit awarded for course work. The student usually registers for and earns undergraduate credit for these courses.

The Equivalency in Music Therapy requires a minimum of three semesters or one and a half years, plus a minimum of 1,200 internship hours as specified above. The internship follows the completion of all music therapy coursework.

Upon successful completion of the academic and internship components, the candidate is eligible to take the national Board Certification Examination for Music Therapists. Successfully passing the exam, the candidate is awarded the credential Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC) by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). Professional membership is available with the American Music Therapy Association, Inc. (AMTA).