Graduate Course Descriptions

Students develop a comprehensive knowledge of the foundations and principles of music therapy practice. Areas addressed include defining music therapy; historical and philosophical underpinnings of the music therapy field; psychological and neurophysiological bases of music as therapy; major theories, models, and treatment orientations; an orientation to the principal client populations served through music therapy; knowledge of current methods of music therapy assessment, treatment and evaluation; an introduction to music therapy research; and an introduction to music-centered self-inquiry.

Students advance their understanding of clinical practice by developing their knowledge of music therapy literature and theory, with a special emphasis on persons with developmental disabilities and children with special needs in educational settings. Students apply knowledge of the dynamics and processes of therapy from a variety of theoretical perspectives, including adapting assessment, treatment, and evaluation procedures for these populations. Data collection and basic research design is introduced in the context of potential clinical research opportunities. Prerequisite: MUT 500.

Students advance their understanding of clinical practice by applying knowledge of music therapy assessment, treatment and evaluation, with a special emphasis on work with children and adults in medical settings. By focusing on physiological and biopsychosocial theories, students advance their knowledge of the influence of music on the human body, and the interplay between mind, body and spirit. Additional emphasis is placed on the assessment process for short-term clinical interventions. Prerequisite: MUT 502.

Students advance their understanding of clinical practice by applying knowledge of music therapy assessment, treatment and evaluation, with a special emphasis on work with children and adults in mental health settings. By focusing on individual and group theories and models, students advance their knowledge of complex psychological processes as they relate to recovery and wellness. An understanding of the potential physical and psychological risks to health and safety encountered in music therapy practice is also emphasized. Prerequisite: MUT 502.

Students undertake clinical training experiences with various populations, in a range of settings. Through the completion of 200 hours of supervised practice and a weekly seminar, students integrate their theoretical knowledge of music therapy into the design and implementation of music therapy sessions. A special emphasis is placed on 1) synthesizing foundationalprinciples of music therapy practice, as they relate to the client population and setting encountered; 2) applying current literature to the clients and settings encountered, with a special emphasis on the constructs underpinning this research; 3) adapting assessment, treatment, and evaluation procedures to these client populations, 4) responding to the dynamics of musical and interpersonal relationships that emerge at different stages of the therapeutic process, and 5) adhering to AMTA’s Code of Ethics. Prerequisite: MUT 500. Exceptionally, students may be required to take additional credit(s) of practicum if competencies ar

Students undertake clinical training experiences with various populations, in a range of settings. Through the completion of 200 hours of supervised practice and a weekly seminar, students integrate their theoretical knowledge of music therapy into the design and implementation of music therapy sessions. A special emphasis is placed on 1) synthesizing foundationalprinciples of music therapy practice, as they relate to the client population and setting encountered; 2) applying current literature to the clients and settings encountered, with a special emphasis on the constructs underpinning this research; 3) adapting assessment, treatment, and evaluation procedures to these client populations, 4) responding to the dynamics of musical and interpersonal relationships that emerge at different stages of the therapeutic process, and 5) adhering to AMTA’s Code of Ethics. Prerequisite: MUT 500. Exceptionally, students may be required to take additional credit(s) of practicum if competencies ar

Students undertake clinical training experiences with various populations, in a range of settings. Through the completion of 200 hours of supervised practice and a weekly seminar, students integrate their theoretical knowledge of music therapy into the design and implementation of music therapy sessions. A special emphasis is placed on 1) synthesizing foundationalprinciples of music therapy practice, as they relate to the client population and setting encountered; 2) applying current literature to the clients and settings encountered, with a special emphasis on the constructs underpinning this research; 3) adapting assessment, treatment, and evaluation procedures to these client populations, 4) responding to the dynamics of musical and interpersonal relationships that emerge at different stages of the therapeutic process, and 5) adhering to AMTA’s Code of Ethics. Prerequisite: MUT 500. Exceptionally, students may be required to take additional credit(s) of practicum if competencies ar

Through the completion of a comprehensive, supervised training experience of 1000 hours completed on a part time basis (260 hours per semester), students further their knowledge of clinical practice by: 1) applying their comprehensive knowledge of the foundations and principles of music therapy to clinical practice, synthesizing and differentiating this knowledge as it applies to their clients and setting, 2) analyzing and applying knowledge of the music therapy literature to their practice, 3) adapting assessment and evaluation procedures to these client populations, 4) responding to the dynamics of musical and interpersonal relationships that emerge at different stages of the therapeutic process, 5) applying advanced verbal and non-verbal interpersonal skills, and 6) adhering to AMTA’s Code of Ethics. Prerequisites: MUT 502; MUT 504; MUT 506; MUT 512-14; successful passage of diagnostic functional music skills proficiency examination. In addition, students attend a one-day seminar he

Through the completion of a comprehensive, supervised training experience of 1000 hours completed on a part time basis (260 hours per semester), students further their knowledge of clinical practice by: 1) applying their comprehensive knowledge of the foundations and principles of music therapy to clinical practice, synthesizing and differentiating this knowledge as it applies to their clients and setting, 2) analyzing and applying knowledge of the music therapy literature to their practice, 3) adapting assessment and evaluation procedures to these client populations, 4) responding to the dynamics of musical and interpersonal relationships that emerge at different stages of the therapeutic process, 5) applying advanced verbal and non-verbal interpersonal skills, and 6) adhering to AMTA’s Code of Ethics. Prerequisites: MUT 502; MUT 504; MUT 506; MUT 512-14; successful passage of diagnostic functional music skills proficiency examination. In addition, students attend a one-day seminar he