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Music Therapy Major

Drury University > Music > Music Therapy Major


Make a difference through music!

This degree is designed for students who wish to be employed as music therapists in a variety of clinical settings. Upon successful completion of the requirements for this degree, students are eligible to take the exam given by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. When students pass this exam, they will be granted the title Music Therapist — Board Certified (MT-BC).

Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. Music therapy students receive practical training experience at the Drury University Center for Music Therapy and Wellness.

How is Music Therapy Used?

Music Therapy uses music and music related strategies, presented by a qualified music therapist, to assist or motivate a person towards specific non-musical goals. Music therapists use their training as musicians and clinicians to bring about changes in cognitive, physical, communication, social, employment, and emotional skills.

Who Benefits from Music Therapy?

Children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly with mental health needs, developmental and learning disabilities, aging related conditions, substance abuse problems, brain injuries, physical disabilities, etc.

Drury University Center for Music Therapy & Wellness

This degree is designed for students who wish to be employed as music therapists in a variety of clinical settings. Upon successful completion of the requirements for this degree, students are eligible to take the exam given by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. When students pass this exam, they will be granted the title, Music Therapist — Board Certified (MT-BC).

All students interested in majoring in music must perform and pass an audition before the music faculty. Students who fail to pass this audition after two attempts will not be allowed to continue as a music major. The audition must be completed before the end of their first semester as a music major.

The Bachelor of Music Therapy major requires 87 credit hours of coursework. All prerequisites must be completed prior to enrollment in the following courses.

Required Music and Music Therapy Courses (74 hrs.)

  • MTHP 101* Field Studies I (2 hrs.)
  • MTHP 102 Music Therapy Orientation (3 hrs.)
  • MTHP 134 Guitar for Music Therapy I (2 hrs.)
  • MTHP 135 Guitar for Music Therapy II (2 hrs.)
  • MTHP 200 Psychology of Music (3 hrs.)
  • MTHP 201* Field Studies II (2 hrs.)
  • MTHP 202 Medical Music Therapy (3 hrs.)
  • MTHP 234 Guitar for Music Therapy III (2 hrs.)
  • MTHP 235 Guitar for Music Therapy IV (2 hrs.)
  • MTHP 301* Field Studies III (2 hrs.)
  • MTHP 310 Music Therapy Techniques and Interventions I (3 hrs.)
  • MTHP 311 Music Therapy Techniques & Interventions II (3 hrs.)
  • MTHP 340 Music Therapy in Developmental and Behavioral Health (3 hrs.)
  • MTHP 401* Field Studies IV (2 hrs.)
  • MTHP 440 Research Methods in Music Therapy (3 hrs.)
  • MTHP 475 Music Therapy Capstone (1 hr.)
  • MTHP 480 Music Therapy Internship (3 hrs.)
  • MUSC 105 Recital Attendance (8 semesters, or every semester registered as a music major) (0 hrs.)
  • MUSC 117 Music Theory I (3 hrs.)
  • MUSC 118 Music Theory II (3 hrs.)
  • MUSC 121 Ear Training and Sight Singing I (1 hr.)
  • MUSC 122 Ear Training and Sight Singing II (1 hr.)
  • MUSC 211 Sophomore Review (0 hrs.)
  • MUSC 217 Music Theory III (3 hrs.)
  • MUSC 218 Music Theory IV (3 hrs.)
  • MUSC 219 Ear Training and Sight Singing III (1 hr.)
  • MUSC 220 Ear Training and Sight Singing IV (1 hr.)
  • MUSC 321 History of Music I (3 hrs.)
  • MUSC 322 History of Music II (3 hrs.)

Choose One: (3 hrs.)

  • MUSC 116 History of American Pop Music (3 hrs.)
  • MUSC 224 Jazz History (3 hrs.)

Other Requirements: (12-20 hrs.)

  • Applied Piano (0-8 semesters until piano proficiency requirement is met) (0-8 hrs.)
  • Ensembles (minimum 6 hours) (6 hrs.)
  • Applied Lessons on Major Instrument (achievement of level 4 required, minimum 6 hours) (6 hrs.)

Music Therapy Skills Assessments (Bronze, Silver, and Gold Levels)

Required Psychology Courses (9 hrs.)

  • PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology (3 hrs.)
  • PSYC 230 Life Span Development (3 hrs.)
  • PSYC 337 Psychopathology and Clinical Science (3 hrs.)

*Students must earn the minimum grade of B- (80%) to pass this course.

Equivalency in Music Therapy

Equivalency students will be students who already have a bachelor’s degree in music and who will be seeking board certification without getting another bachelor’s degree. Such students will be required to take coursework equivalent to that required for the music therapy degree. The specific coursework taken will be determined in much the same manner as for transfer students. The music therapy program director will evaluate the transcripts of equivalency students and outline any transfer credits accepted.

The music therapy program director will verify that all coursework transferred is equivalent to that offered by Drury University.

The music therapy program director then will outline in advance the coursework the equivalency student is required to take. Courses on the student’s transcript plus courses the student is required to take must meet the curricular standards of Drury and AMTA in addition to the requirements of the Certification Board for Music Therapists. As with transfer students, the equivalency student must demonstrate all music proficiency examination requirements required of music therapy students at Drury. The equivalency program will require a minimum of two semesters in residence at Drury plus internship.

Ensemble Courses

The following ensemble courses are available to all qualified students of the university. Ensemble courses may be repeated for credit.

Private Instruction in Applied Music

Private instruction is available in piano, voice, organ, violin, viola, cello, double bass, clarinet, saxophone, flute, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, horn, trombone, baritone, tuba, harp, percussion and guitar.

Each one-half hour lesson per week, plus a minimum of six hours practice per week, for one semester grants one hour credit. Students may take either one or two hours credit on an instrument each semester.

Any music major expecting to present a recital must pass a recital permission hearing before the recital may be given.

Additional fees are charged for private instruction in applied music.

Refund Policy

It will be our policy to prorate the applied music fees for students who withdraw from private lessons. Their tuition charge will be based on the clearly defined Official Withdrawal/Refund Policy. The fees, however, are based on weekly lessons, and are most fairly handled by proration. The compensation of faculty will, likewise, be prorated based on the number of lessons given. The dates selected for proration will be the actual date of withdrawal as shown on the withdrawal form in the Registrar’s Office.