Music Therapy and Counseling MA

Major: Music Therapy and Counseling
Degree Awarded: Master of Arts (MA)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 90.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 51.2305
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 29-1129

About the Program

The Master of Arts program in Music Therapy and Counseling educates students for creative, responsive and effective therapy practice in which music is the essential mode of transformation. Through a balance of classroom education and clinically supervised practicum and internship experiences, students develop a strong foundation for skilled clinical practice. The 90 quarter-credit curriculum includes specific music therapy coursework in areas such as clinical musicianship, clinical improvisation, and technological applications in music therapy as well as general mental health counseling coursework in human development, social and cultural foundations, clinical appraisal and assessment and group dynamics. All courses are taught at the graduate level. Graduates are eligible for board certification through the Certification Board for Music Therapists as well as associate professional counseling licensure in Pennsylvania (upon completion of post-graduation requirements).

Music therapists use music within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs of individuals. Research shows that music therapy is an effective treatment for children, adolescents, adults and older adults with mental health needs, developmental and learning disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease and other aging-related conditions, substance use disorders, acute and chronic pain and brain injuries. Graduates of the MA in Music Therapy & Counseling program go on to work in a variety of clinical environments, including but not limited to medical and behavioral health inpatient and outpatient settings, community health and wellness centers, schools and after-school programs, trauma-informed settings, correctional facilities, elder care facilities and private practices. 

Additional Information

For more information about the program, visit the College of Nursing and Health Professions' Music Therapy website.

Degree Requirements

Core Courses
CATX 501Foundations of Creative Arts Therapies2.0
CTCN 501Human Psychological Development 4.5
CTCN 503Differential Diagnosis and Processes4.5
CTCN 504Professional Orientation and Ethics4.5
CTCN 505Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy4.5
CTCN 509Social and Cultural Foundations4.5
CTCN 540Approaches to Addictions and Recovery 4.5
CTCN 575Therapeutic Processes & Relationship Skills I 2.0
CTCN 601Introduction to Behavioral Research4.5
CTCN 603Clinical Appraisal and Assessment4.5
CTCN 604Career Counseling4.5
CTCN 606Group Dynamics and Processes4.5
CTCN 675Therapeutic Processes & Relationship Skills II 2.0
CTCN 677Crisis & Trauma Approaches in Therapeutic Practice4.0
Music Therapy Track Courses
CATX 510Principles and Practices in Music Therapy2.0
CATX 512Music Therapy Across the Life Span2.0
CATX 578Clinical Improvisation Skills2.0
CATX 579Technological Applications in Music Therapy2.0
CATX 590Clinical Musicianship I: Piano2.0
CATX 591Clinical Musicianship II: Guitar2.0
CATX 592Clinical Musicianship III- Integrated Voice 2.0
CATX 615Community-Centered Processes in Music Therapy2.0
CATX 679Advanced Clinical Improvisation and Analysis 2.0
CATX 685Professional Identity & Contemporary Practices in Music Therapy2.0
Clinical Education Courses
CTCN 512Clinical Practicum & Practicum Supervision I2.0
CTCN 522Clinical Practicum & Practicum Supervision II2.0
CTCN 532Clinical Practicum & Practicum Supervision III2.0
Clinical Supplement *
CTCN 612Clinical Internship & Internship Supervision I2.0
CTCN 622Clinical Internship & Internship Supervision II2.0
CTCN 632Advanced Clinical Internship & Internship Supervision III2.0
Culminating Project
CATX 625Culminating Project in Music Therapy I1.5
CATX 626Culminating Project in Music Therapy II1.5
Additional Electives
As needed, in consultation with the program director students can select the following electives:
For Culminating Project Only
Total Credits90.0
*

CTCN 542- This course is only applicable for students on three-year and four-year part-time plans of study.This supervised clinical experience is a continuation to support the integration of clinical experience and coursework as related to clinical practice as initiated in CTCN 512, CTCN 522 & CTCN 532.


Sample Plan of Study

Two-Year Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
CATX 501 Foundations of Creative Arts Therapies 2.0
CATX 510 Principles and Practices in Music Therapy 2.0
CATX 512 Music Therapy Across the Life Span 2.0
CATX 590 Clinical Musicianship I: Piano 2.0
CTCN 501 Human Psychological Development 4.5
CTCN 512 Clinical Practicum & Practicum Supervision I 2.0
 Credits14.5
Winter
CATX 578 Clinical Improvisation Skills 2.0
CATX 591 Clinical Musicianship II: Guitar 2.0
CTCN 509 Social and Cultural Foundations 4.5
CTCN 522 Clinical Practicum & Practicum Supervision II 2.0
CTCN 575 Therapeutic Processes & Relationship Skills I 2.0
 Credits12.5
Spring
CATX 579 Technological Applications in Music Therapy 2.0
CATX 592 Clinical Musicianship III- Integrated Voice 2.0
CTCN 505 Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy 4.5
CTCN 532 Clinical Practicum & Practicum Supervision III 2.0
CTCN 606 Group Dynamics and Processes 4.5
 Credits15
Summer
CTCN 503 Differential Diagnosis and Processes 4.5
CTCN 504 Professional Orientation and Ethics 4.5
 Credits9
Second Year
Fall
CTCN 601 Introduction to Behavioral Research 4.5
CTCN 612 Clinical Internship & Internship Supervision I 2.0
CTCN 675 Therapeutic Processes & Relationship Skills II 2.0
CTCN 677 Crisis & Trauma Approaches in Therapeutic Practice 4.0
 Credits12.5
Winter
CATX 625 Culminating Project in Music Therapy I 1.5
CTCN 540 Approaches to Addictions and Recovery 4.5
CTCN 603 Clinical Appraisal and Assessment 4.5
CTCN 622 Clinical Internship & Internship Supervision II 2.0
CATX 615 Community-Centered Processes in Music Therapy 2.0
 Credits14.5
Spring
CATX 626 Culminating Project in Music Therapy II 1.5
CATX 685 Professional Identity & Contemporary Practices in Music Therapy 2.0
CATX 679 Advanced Clinical Improvisation and Analysis 2.0
CTCN 604 Career Counseling 4.5
CTCN 632 Advanced Clinical Internship & Internship Supervision III 2.0
 Credits12
 Total Credits90

Three-Year Plan of Study 

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
CATX 501 Foundations of Creative Arts Therapies 2.0
CATX 510 Principles and Practices in Music Therapy 2.0
CATX 512 Music Therapy Across the Life Span 2.0
CATX 590 Clinical Musicianship I: Piano 2.0
CTCN 512 Clinical Practicum & Practicum Supervision I 2.0
 Credits10
Winter
CATX 591 Clinical Musicianship II: Guitar 2.0
CTCN 509 Social and Cultural Foundations 4.5
CTCN 522 Clinical Practicum & Practicum Supervision II 2.0
CTCN 575 Therapeutic Processes & Relationship Skills I 2.0
 Credits10.5
Spring
CATX 579 Technological Applications in Music Therapy 2.0
CATX 592 Clinical Musicianship III- Integrated Voice 2.0
CTCN 505 Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy 4.5
CTCN 542 Clinical Supplement * 1.0
 Credits9.5
Summer
CTCN 503 Differential Diagnosis and Processes 4.5
 Credits4.5
Second Year
Fall
CTCN 501 Human Psychological Development 4.5
CTCN 532 Clinical Practicum & Practicum Supervision III 2.0
CTCN 601 Introduction to Behavioral Research 4.5
 Credits11
Winter
CATX 578 Clinical Improvisation Skills 2.0
CATX 625 Culminating Project in Music Therapy I 1.5
CTCN 542 Clinical Supplement * 1.0
CTCN 603 Clinical Appraisal and Assessment 4.5
 Credits9
Spring
CTCN 604 Career Counseling 4.5
CTCN 606 Group Dynamics and Processes 4.5
 Credits9
Summer
CTCN 504 Professional Orientation and Ethics 4.5
 Credits4.5
Third Year
Fall
CATX 626 Culminating Project in Music Therapy II 1.5
CTCN 612 Clinical Internship & Internship Supervision I 2.0
CTCN 675 Therapeutic Processes & Relationship Skills II 2.0
CTCN 677 Crisis & Trauma Approaches in Therapeutic Practice 4.0
 Credits9.5
Winter
CTCN 540 Approaches to Addictions and Recovery 4.5
CTCN 622 Clinical Internship & Internship Supervision II 2.0
CATX 615 Community-Centered Processes in Music Therapy 2.0
 Credits8.5
Spring
CATX 679 Advanced Clinical Improvisation and Analysis 2.0
CATX 685 Professional Identity & Contemporary Practices in Music Therapy 2.0
CTCN 632 Advanced Clinical Internship & Internship Supervision III 2.0
 Credits6
 Total Credits92
*

CTCN 542- This course is only applicable for students on three-year and four-year part-time plans of study. This supervised clinical experience is a continuation to support the integration of clinical experience and coursework as related to clinical practice as initiated in CTCN 512, CTCN 522 & CTCN 532.

Four-Year Part-Time Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
First Year (Part-Time)
FallCredits
CATX 501 Foundations of Creative Arts Therapies 2.0
CATX 510 Principles and Practices in Music Therapy 2.0
CATX 512 Music Therapy Across the Life Span 2.0
 Credits6
Winter
CATX 591 Clinical Musicianship II: Guitar 2.0
CTCN 509 Social and Cultural Foundations 4.5
 Credits6.5
Spring
CATX 592 Clinical Musicianship III- Integrated Voice 2.0
CTCN 505 Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy 4.5
 Credits6.5
Summer
CTCN 503 Differential Diagnosis and Processes 4.5
 Credits4.5
Second Year (Part-Time)
Fall
CTCN 501 Human Psychological Development 4.5
CATX 590 Clinical Musicianship I: Piano 2.0
 Credits6.5
Winter
CATX 578 Clinical Improvisation Skills 2.0
CTCN 512 Clinical Practicum & Practicum Supervision I 2.0
CTCN 575 Therapeutic Processes & Relationship Skills I 2.0
 Credits6
Spring
CATX 579 Technological Applications in Music Therapy 2.0
CTCN 542 Clinical Supplement * 1.0
CTCN 606 Group Dynamics and Processes 4.5
 Credits7.5
Summer
CTCN 504 Professional Orientation and Ethics 4.5
CTCN 522 Clinical Practicum & Practicum Supervision II 2.0
 Credits6.5
Third Year (Part-Time)
Fall
CTCN 601 Introduction to Behavioral Research 4.5
CTCN 675 Therapeutic Processes & Relationship Skills II 2.0
 Credits6.5
Winter
CTCN 603 Clinical Appraisal and Assessment 4.5
CATX 615 Community-Centered Processes in Music Therapy 2.0
 Credits6.5
Spring
CTCN 532 Clinical Practicum & Practicum Supervision III 2.0
CTCN 604 Career Counseling 4.5
 Credits6.5
Summer
CATX 625 Culminating Project in Music Therapy I 1.5
CTCN 542 Clinical Supplement * 1.0
 Credits2.5
Fourth Year (Part-Time)
Fall
CTCN 612 Clinical Internship & Internship Supervision I 2.0
CTCN 677 Crisis & Trauma Approaches in Therapeutic Practice 4.0
 Credits6
Winter
CTCN 540 Approaches to Addictions and Recovery 4.5
CTCN 622 Clinical Internship & Internship Supervision II 2.0
 Credits6.5
Spring
CATX 626 Culminating Project in Music Therapy II 1.5
CATX 679 Advanced Clinical Improvisation and Analysis 2.0
CATX 685 Professional Identity & Contemporary Practices in Music Therapy 2.0
CTCN 632 Advanced Clinical Internship & Internship Supervision III 2.0
 Credits7.5
 Total Credits92
*

CTCN 542- This course is only applicable for students on three-year and four-year part-time plans of study. This supervised clinical experience is a continuation to support the integration of clinical experience and coursework as related to clinical practice as initiated in CTCN 512, CTCN 522, & CTCN 532


Program Level Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to:

  • Choose current methods of music therapy assessment, implementation and evaluation for application within a developmental and multicultural framework.
  • Apply extensive and varied repertoire of contemporary and traditional idioms within improvisational, re-creative, songwriting and receptive music therapy methods to enhance creative and therapeutic processes.
  • Design tailored approaches to music therapy observation, assessments and evaluation and identifying specified treatment objectives in collaboration with clients and groups.
  • Assess the needs and strengths of clients and communities using an integrated understanding of theories related to human development, sociocultural location, trauma, learning, motivation, change and group process.
  • Implement individual and group music therapy and counseling services across a diverse spectrum of recipient populations, ages and communities, including assessment, evaluation and intervention.
  • Formulate culturally sustaining practice that recognize and value diversity across client communities.
  • Interpret the meaning of individual, family and group psychodynamics and processes.
  • Critically appraise research and other scholarly literature for application in clinical practice and in research projects.
  • Collaborate with other professionals, lay people, clients and communities as part of clinical practice.
  • Critically assess systems of care and professional roles within systems for the purpose of addressing systemic health inequities.
  • Evaluate personal and professional growth using self-reflexive practices for the purpose of continued development.

Creative Arts Therapies Department Faculty

Joke Bradt, PhD, MT-BC (Temple University) Director, PhD Program in Creative Arts Therapies. Professor. Research in music therapy, chronic pain, systematic reviews.
Natalie Rae Carlton, PhD, ATR-BC, LPCC (Lesley University) Clinical Coordinator, Art Therapy and Counseling MA Program. Associate Clinical Professor. Digital media, queer worldmaking and comics, zines & graphic novel uses in art therapy.
Girija Kaimal, EdD, MA , ATR-BC (Harvard University) Interim Department Chair. Professor. Art therapy, indigenous arts, oncology, trauma leadership, program evaluation.
Clarissa Lacson, PhD, MT-BC (Drexel University) Director, Music Therapy and Counseling MA Program. Assistant Clinical Professor. Interprofessional collaboration, program development, clinical supervision, research coordination, pediatric and medical music therapy
Dawn Morningstar, MA, BC-DMT, LPC (Drexel University). Associate Clinical Professor. Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling MA Program. Dance/movement therapy, children and adolescents, special needs, clinical supervision.
Nalini Prakash, PhD, BC-DMT, CMA (Drexel University) Program Director, Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling MA Program. Assistant Clinical Professor. Dance/Movement Therapy. movement observation and assessment, mental illness, criminal justice, violence prevention, de-escalation, clinical supervision, arts-based community development.
Michele Rattigan, DHSc, ATR-BC, NCC, LPC, LPAT (Drexel University) Program Director, Art Therapy and Counseling MA Program. Associate Clinical Professor. Art Therapy. self-compassion, community compassion, and mindfulness-based arts therapies approaches; unresolved trauma; post-partum depression and anxiety; disordered eating and body image concerns; self-harming behaviors; & dissociative disorders. Critical compassionate pedagogy, interprofessional collaboration, & Universal Design for Learning in higher education.
Minjung Shim, PhD, BC-DMT (Drexel University). Assistant Professor. Medical dance/movement therapy, chronic pain management, mindfulness-based interventions, healthy aging, virtual reality and eHealth interventions, clinical trials, theory/model-building, scoping reviews.
Adenike Webb, PhD, MT-BC (Temple University) Clinical Education Coordinator, Creative Arts Therapy MA Programs . Assistant Clinical Professor. Anti-oppressive pedagogy, wellbeing and creativity, social justice, culturally sustaining practice.
Denise Wolf, ATR-BC, ATCS, LPC, LPAT (Drexel University). Associate Clinical Professor. Consulting, trauma sensitive care/complex interpersonal trauma, clinical supervision, hand papermaking, Dialectical behavior therapy, art museum spaces, school-based art therapy, community engagement.

Emeritus Faculty

Nancy Gerber, PhD, ATR-BC (Union Institute and University). Associate Clinical Professor Emerita. Art therapy assessment and treatment of adolescents and adults; modern psychoanalysis and art therapy; arts therapy education and doctoral education; arts based research and mixed methods research.
Sharon W. Goodill, PhD, BC-DMT, NCC, LPC (Union Institute and University). Clinical Professor Emerita. Medical dance/movement, mind/body studies, movement assessment for DMT, CAT research and leadership.
Florence Ierardi, MM, MT-BC, LPC (Temple University). Associate Clinical Professor Emerita. Clinical improvisation, trauma-informed music therapy, multicultural music therapy perspectives.
Ellen Schelly-Hill, MMT, BC-DMT, NCC, LPC (Antioch NE Graduate School). Associate Clinical Professor Emerita. Adults diagnosed with mood disorders, anxiety, chronic pain and with histories of trauma; clinical supervision; ethics.