Program Overview
The Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy at Slippery Rock University prepares students to use music to assist individuals in achieving optimal health and personal growth. The program is approved by the American Music Therapy Association, and graduates are eligible to sit for the national board certification exam. The curriculum includes coursework in music fundamentals, music therapy theory and practice, psychology, and research methods, as well as supervised clinical internships in various settings.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy (BM) at Slippery Rock University prepares students to engage in musical experiences with a diverse range of people to assist them in reaching optimal health and personal growth. The program is approved by the American Music Therapy Association, and graduates are eligible to sit for the national board certification exam to obtain the Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC) credential. The curriculum includes coursework in music fundamentals, music therapy theory and practice, psychology, and research methods. Students also complete supervised clinical internships in a variety of settings.
Outline:
First Year:
- Major Applied (100 level)
- Assigned Ensemble (100 level) - Arts Inquiry #1
- MUSI 127: Orientation to Music Therapy
- MUSI 131: Class Piano I
- MUSI 137: Functional Guitar for Music Therapy I
- MUSI 151: Music Theory and Musicking I
- MUSI 154: Musicianship Skills I
- Select one of the following:
- MUSI 133: Class Voice I (Instrumental majors)
- MUSI 299: Diction for Singers (Voice majors only)
- ENGL 102: Critical Writing
- SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery
Second Year:
- Major Applied (200 level)
- Assigned Ensemble (200 level) - Arts Inquiry #2
- MUSI 132: Class Piano II
- MUSI 134: Voice Methods (all majors)
- MUSI 138: Functional Guitar for Music Therapy II
- MUSI 199: Fundamental Skills in Music Therapy
- MUSI 236: Music Therapy Assessment, Measurement and Evaluation
- MUSI 253: Music Theory and Analysis II
- MUSI 256: Musicianship Skills II
- PSYC 105: Introduction to Psychology
- SPED 121 or SPED 122: Overview of Special Education or Low Incidence Disabilities
Third Year:
- Major Applied (300 level)
- Assigned Ensemble (300 level) - Arts Inquiry #3
- MUSI 206: Fundamentals of Conducting
- MUSI 228: Therapeutic Musical Strategies
- MUSI 229: Clinical Integration
- MUSI 234: Class Piano III
- MUSI 247: Percussion Methods
- MUSI 254: Music Theory and Analysis III
- MUSI 257: Musicianship Skills III
- ENGL 104: Critical Reading
- CDEV 248 or PSYC 244: Human Development and Education or Developmental Psychology
- BIOL 110 or BIOL 216 or BIOL 217: The Human Body: Fundamentals of Structure and Physiology or Anatomy and Physiology I with Labor Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
Fourth Year:
- Major Applied (400 level)
- Assigned Ensemble (400 level)
- MUSI 329: Clinical Integration
- MUSI 350: Computer Technology in Music
- MUSI 359: History of Music I
- MUSI 360: Keyboard Improvisation
- MUSI 440: Music Therapy for Adult Clients
- MUSI 312: Music Therapy for Children
- MUSI 327: Psychology of Music
- MUSI 330: Clinical Integration
- MUSI 351: Arranging & Orchestration
- MUSI 373: History of Music II
- MUSI 428: Music Therapy Advanced Topics
- MUSI 432: Clinical Integration
- MUSI 433: Clinical Integration
- MUSI 473: History of Popular Musics
- Humanities Inquiry
- Select one of the following:
- ENGL 327: Healthcare Writing
- PHIL 325: Medical/Health Care Ethics
- GNDR 415: Feminist Perspectives in the Disciplines
- HONR 492: Innovation for Positive Change
- MUSI 450: Music Therapy Internship (1 of 2 semesters)
- MUSI 450: Music Therapy Internship (2 of 2 semesters)
Assessment:
Assessment methods in the program include:
- Exams
- Papers
- Presentations
- Clinical skills evaluations
- Research projects
Teaching:
The program is taught by a faculty of experienced music therapists and musicians. The faculty use a variety of teaching methods, including:
- Lectures
- Discussions
- Demonstrations
- Workshops
- Clinical supervision
Careers:
Graduates of the program can pursue careers in a variety of settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Nursing homes
- Rehabilitation centers
- Private practice