Program Overview: Music Therapy is the systematic application of music and other treatment methodologies by a trained music therapist to restore, maintain, or enhance the cognitive, socio-emotional, and/or physical functioning of disabled persons of all ages. The Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) is a skilled musician and therapist who generally serves as a member of a team of trained medical or educational professionals, participating in the assessment, treatment, and progress evaluation of the clients served. The Ohio University graduate programs in music therapy are the only advanced degrees in music therapy offered in the state of Ohio. Graduate studies in the field of music therapy impart further breadth and depth to clinical competencies while providing advanced instruction in clinical specialization, documentation and research with particular emphasis given to program design, development and administration. Programs leading to the Master of Music degree require a minimum of 34 credit hours of graduate work. A thesis or its equivalent is required.

Admissions Policy: Applicants must submit a writing sample and evidence of prior experience in working with persons with disabilities. A Bachelor of Music Therapy degree, or its equivalent, is required.   Students may earn the Master equivalency in Music Therapy by completing coursework equivalent to the requirements for the Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy degree. Concurrently, students take master’s level courses in music therapy according to their area of specialization. Once the undergraduate courses are completed, the student must take the six-month internship placement in a facility approved by the AMTA and successfully complete the Board Certification Examination. The student then finishes the graduate requirements, a thesis or special project, prior to the granting of the degree.

Change Policy: Applicants must submit a writing sample and evidence of prior experience in working with persons with disabilities. A Bachelor of Music Therapy degree, or its equivalent, is required.

Students may earn the Master equivalency in Music Therapy by completing coursework equivalent to the requirements for the Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy degree. Concurrently, students take master’s level courses in music therapy according to their area of specialization. Once the undergraduate courses are completed, the student must take the six-month internship placement in a facility approved by the AMTA and successfully complete the Board Certification Examination. The student then finishes the graduate requirements, a thesis or special project, prior to the granting of the degree.

Transfer Policy: Applicants must submit a writing sample and evidence of prior experience in working with persons with disabilities. A Bachelor of Music Therapy degree, or its equivalent, is required.

Students may earn the Master equivalency in Music Therapy by completing coursework equivalent to the requirements for the Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy degree. Concurrently, students take master¿s level courses in music therapy according to their area of specialization. Once the undergraduate courses are completed, the student must take the six-month internship placement in a facility approved by the AMTA and successfully complete the Board Certification Examination. The student then finishes the graduate requirements, a thesis or special project, prior to the granting of the degree.

Opportunities: To meet a growing number of positions requiring skills in management and research, music therapists may pursue the Master¿s of Music in Music Therapy. Those music therapists who desire teaching and research positions in higher education may pursue a doctorate in music education or a related area with an emphasis on music therapy.