Program Overview

Ph.D. in Music Therapy

The Ph.D. in Music Therapy emphasizes research and scholarship, as appropriate for the music therapist who aspires to a career in research, college-level teaching, or advanced clinical practice. In this program, you will engage in coursework that will advance your scholarship and help you to reach your professional goals. You will be involved in groundbreaking research, with the opportunity to develop original research in an interest area.

Program Overview

This program is offered on campus and as a distance learning program. The degree is focused on three core areas:

• Research Core: You will engage in coursework and collaborative research projects focused on advancing research skills. You will also have the opportunity to pursue your own original research.
• Music Therapy Clinical Practice Core: You will further your understanding of advanced clinical competencies, with an emphasis in evidence-based practices.
• Academic Core: To prepare for a future as an educator or supervisor in music therapy, you will engage in coursework focused on teaching and learning in higher education.

Learning Objectives

Students will:

1. Identify theoretical constructs from music therapy and related fields that underlie various clinical practices.
2. Articulate and defend a personal philosophy, approach, and/or theory to music therapy, through a deeper understanding of music therapy.
3. Conduct research according to ethical principles in a variety of methodologies to sufficiently address meaningful research questions in music therapy.
4. Use various teaching methods to explain the breadth and depth of knowledge of clinical practice in music therapy.

Credit Requirements

The Ph.D. in Music Therapy is comprised of 72 credits, of which 30 credits may be accepted from a prior master's degree. Program credits include:

• 12-15 credits in each core area (research, clinical practice, academic) that are selected to prepare the student for future work in an academic, research, or advanced clinical position.
• 15 directed electives, which are selected with the graduate committee to best meet the student’s needs and career goals. Subjects of study may include, but are not limited to, neuroscience, music therapy methods, research methods, statistics, teaching methods, and developmental science.
• The program culminates with a final exam and the completion of a substantial piece of original research.

Course List

The following courses are part of the program:

• Clinical Core:
  • MU 544: Advanced Techniques-Neuroscience-Informed MT (3 credits)
  • MU 545: Composition and Improvisation--Music Therapy (3 credits)
  • MU 647: Historical Foundations of Music Therapy (3 credits)
  • MU 648: Neuroscience/Music Foundations in Therapy (3 credits)
  • MU 649: Advanced Practice in Music Therapy (3 credits)
• Research Core:
  • MU 543: Intro to Applied Music Research Methods (3 credits)
  • MU 743: Interpretivist Research in Music Therapy (3 credits)
  • MU 744: Music Therapy Research to Practice (3 credits)
  • MU 798: Music Therapy Dissertation Preparation (3 credits)
• Electives (to be chosen in consultation with doctoral advisor)
• EDCO 5XX: Any EDCO course at the 500-level (excluding courses numbered 582-599)
• EDCO 6XX: Any EDCO course at the 600-level (excluding courses numbered 682-699)
• EDRM 5XX: Any EDUC course at the 500-level (excluding courses numbered 582-599)
• EDRM 6XX: Any EDUC course at the 600-level (excluding courses numbered 682-699)
• HDFS 3XX: Any HDFS course at the 300-level (excluding courses numbered 382-399)
• HDFS 4XX: Any HDFS course at the 400-level (excluding courses numbered 482-499)
• HDFS 5XX: Any HDFS course at the 500-level (excluding courses numbered 582-599)
• MU 3XX: Any MU course at the 300-level (excluding courses numbered 382-399)
• MU 4XX: Any MU course at the 400-level (excluding courses numbered 482-499)
• MU 5XX: Any MU course at the 500-level (excluding courses numbered 582-599)
• PSY 3XX: Any PSY course at the 300-level (excluding courses numbered 382-399)
• PSY 4XX: Any PSY course at the 400-level (excluding courses numbered 482-499)
• PSY 5XX: Any PSY course at the 500-level (excluding courses numbered 582-599)
• PSY 6XX: Any PSY course at the 600-level (excluding courses numbered 682-699)
• Academic Core:
  • EDAE 620: Processes and Methods (3 credits)
  • or EDUC 651: Diversity/Equity/Inclusion in Organizations
  • EDAE 639: Instructional Design (3 credits)
  • MU 684: Supervised College Teaching (3 credits)
  • MU 792: Seminar in Music Therapy 1 (3 credits)
• Dissertation:
  • MU 799: Dissertation 2 (15 credits)
• Electives (to be chosen in consultation with doctoral advisor) 3 (0-12 credits)

Program Total Credits

A minimum of 72 credits are required to complete this program.

Music Program Fee

A music program fee is assessed with undergraduate and graduate music and musical theatre majors and music minors, per semester. This fee does not apply to online degree students and summers-only master's degree students.

Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees

The following steps are required for the Master's and Doctoral degrees:

1. Application for admission
2. Diagnostic examination when required
3. Appointment of advisor
4. Selection of graduate committee
5. Filing of program of study
6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD)
7. Report of preliminary examination
8. Changes in committee
9. Application for Graduation
10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee
11. Final examination
12. Report of final examination
13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only)
14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically
15. Graduation