Master of Arts in Music Therapy
The Master of Arts in Music Therapy (MAMT) program is dedicated to providing music therapists with learning experiences designed to develop their clinical musicianship, enhance their understanding of counseling techniques, and integrate cultural responsivity into ethical practice. This program is offered in a hybrid format and requires participation in learning experiences that take place on campus and online. Emphasis is given to creating a strong sense of music therapy community as students enhance their practice.
The program is approved by the American Music Therapy Association. All music programs at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.
Mission
Our expert faculty help you develop community, connection, cultural responsiveness, and advanced clinical skills to deepen your music therapy practice. Blending online learning with short in-person residencies, you “Get your master’s, keep your life.”
Vision
To be the premiere graduate program for board certified music therapists who desire advanced clinical skills and knowledge.
We value:
- Advanced clinical musicianship and counseling skills
- Cultural responsiveness and anti-oppressive practices
- Expertise of our faculty and students
- Camaraderie and connection among students and faculty
Program Goals:
- Deepen understanding of theories and practice of music therapy and counseling
- Enhance clinical musicianship and counseling skills
- Integrate ethical decision making, cultural responsivity, and anti-oppressive practices
- Nurture a sense of community and connection
Learning Outcomes:
- Apply an advanced understanding of the theoretical foundations of music therapy and counseling to practice
- Utilize specific music therapy and counseling techniques
- Demonstrate advanced understanding and application of music therapy assessment
- Demonstrate ethical decision-making, cultural responsivity and anti-oppressive practice
- Demonstrate ability to appropriately utilize improvisation, songwriting, and music and imagery techniques
Admission Requirements
Official transcripts
Bachelor’s degree or equivalency in music therapy from a regionally-accredited institution
Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
An appropriate music therapy credential (e.g. MT-BC). Applicants with no music therapy credential may be admitted conditionally if they have:
- Completed all AMTA academic and clinical training requirements, and
- Met all other admission requirements to this program
Minimum of 9 credit hours in psychology, including abnormal psychology
Comprehensive biographical statement (250 words)
Audition*
Interview (by telephone or in person)
Completed application form
Two letters of recommendation
* The audition serves as an assessment of proficiency in a student’s major performance medium. A committee of the music faculty will evaluate auditions. Students may call to schedule a time for an audition, or may submit a video audition via a link to a YouTube channel or other website, or DVD. When submitting audition materials, students should ensure that they utilize high quality materials. The audition should consist of two vocal or instrumental pieces of contrasting nature.
Probationary Admission
Students with academic or musical deficiencies as determined by transcripts, audition, and/or musical skills demonstration may be admitted on a probationary status. It is the responsibility of the student to correct academic deficiencies, and to pass the audition and musical skills demonstration requirements before beginning the fifth course in order to continue in the program.
Music Skills Demonstration
Each student will have an individual music skills demonstration during the first residency. The purpose of the music skills demonstration is to assess ability to: 1) sing with a pleasing quality while accompanying self; 2) perform from memory a basic repertoire of music; and 3) play and sing simple songs by sight. Each student will be asked to bring a list of at least 10 memorized songs to sing and play for the committee. These songs should be representative of those that music therapists would typically use in therapy with a variety of populations (folk, popular, seasonal, songs for particular age groups, etc.). During the demonstration, each student will be asked to perform five of these prepared songs from memory, using voice, piano, and guitar. Each student will also be asked to play and sing to simple songs by sight.
Graduation Requirements
- Successful completion of the required 36 graduate credit hours
- Successful completion of all residencies (in person and virtual) and seminars
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Successful completion of thesis
- Successful performance on comprehensive examination
- Correction of all academic and music deficiencies identified at admission
- Completion of all degree requirements within 7 years of admission date
- Successful completion of all required seminars
- Successful completion of the degree requirements leads to the “Master of Arts” degree. Graduates of the program use the letters “M.A.” to signify successful completion of the program.
MAMT Curriculum
Required Courses (36 credit hours total)
| MU 520 | World Music | 3 |
| MU 544 | Advanced Improvisation, Songwriting, and Practicum | 3 |
| CN/MU 572 | Assessment in Music Therapy and Counseling | 3 |
| MU 580 | Music Therapy in Medicine and Health Care | 3 |
| MU 582 | Guided Imagery and Music | 3 |
| MU 583 | Professional Ethics | 3 |
| MU 584 | Music Psychotherapy | 3 |
| MU 590 | Research Methods | 3 |
| MU 591 | Thesis | 3 |
| MU 532 | Culturally Responsive Music Therapy | 3 |
| CN 580 | Theories and Techniques of Counseling | 3 |
| CN 581 | Group Dynamics in Counseling | 3 |
| MU 545 | Introduction to Teaching Seminar | 0 |
| MU 546 | Professional Business Practices Seminar | 0 |
| MU 548 | Supervision Seminar | 0 |