Program Overview

Music Therapy Equivalency Program

Western Michigan University's music therapy equivalency certificate program is designed for students who already have a bachelor's degree in music, or a comparable program, and would like to complete coursework needed to become a professional music therapist. Under this program, students only take the courses required for certification and need not complete a second bachelor's degree in music therapy. Although a minimum residency of two years is suggested, not including an internship, course requirements may be completed in less time depending on the student's past college work.

Admissions Requirements

Admissions requirements include:

• A Bachelor of Music degree or other bachelor’s degree with at least 54 semester hours in music.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• Demonstration of performance skills on primary instrument, voice, piano, and optionally guitar.

Beyond the Classroom

A six-month internship in music therapy begins after the completion of coursework. The American Music Therapy Association and WMU have established specific regulations and procedures that must be followed as students investigate and select an internship site. To be in compliance with current standards, internships must be completed within two years of a student's last semester on campus.

Career Opportunities

Recent WMU graduates with certificates in music therapy equivalency can work as:

• Counselors
• Teachers
• Therapists Among the organizations they work for are:
  • Clinics
  • Hospitals
  • Private practices
  • Schools

Program Location

The program is offered in Kalamazoo.

Related Programs

Other programs of interest include:

• Elementary Education
• Bachelor's in Healthcare Services and Sciences
• Multimedia Arts Technology—Music
• Music
• Music: Jazz Studies
• Music Composition
• Music Education: Choral/General
• Music Education: Instrumental
• Music Performance: Instrumental
• Music Performance: Keyboard
• Music Performance: Vocal
• Music Therapy
• Nursing
• Theatre: Music Theatre Performance