Music Therapy and Counseling
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; theories and methods for children, adolescents, adults and older adults, and technological applications, 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 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 abuse problems, 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 in-patient and out-patient settings; community health and wellness centers; schools and afterschool programs; trauma-informed settings; correctional facilities; elder care facilities, and private practices. Students also pioneer new frontiers in therapy application through clinical work and research.
Additional Information
For more information about program, visit the College of Nursing and Health Professions' Music Therapy website.
Degree Requirements
Core Courses | ||
CATX 501 | Foundations of Creative Arts Therapies | 2.0 |
CTCN 501 | Human Psychological Development | 4.5 |
CTCN 503 | DSM and Psychopathology | 4.5 |
CTCN 504 | Professional Orientation and Ethics | 4.5 |
CTCN 505 | Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy | 4.5 |
CTCN 509 | Social and Cultural Foundations | 4.5 |
CTCN 601 | Introduction to Behavioral Research | 4.5 |
CTCN 603 | Clinical Appraisal and Assessment | 4.5 |
CTCN 604 | Career Counseling | 4.5 |
CTCN 608 | Group Dynamics in Counseling and Music Therapy | 4.5 |
Music Therapy Track Courses | ||
CATX 570 | Clinical Musicianship I | 2.5 |
CATX 571 | Clinical Musicianship II | 2.5 |
CATX 572 | Clinical Musicianship III | 2.5 |
CATX 573 | Clinical Musical Improvisation | 4.0 |
CATX 575 | Theories and Methods in Music Therapy with Children and Adolescents | 4.5 |
CATX 577 | Theories and Methods in Music Therapy with Adults and Older Adults | 4.5 |
CATX 579 | Technological Applications in Music Therapy | 2.0 |
CATX 673 | Advanced Topics in Music Therapy and Counseling I: Music, Imagery and the Therapeutic Relationship | 3.0 |
CATX 674 | Advanced Topics in Music Therapy and Counseling II: Integrative and Community Processes | 3.0 |
CATX 678 | Advanced Clinical Improvisation & Musical Analysis | 4.0 |
Clinical Education Courses | ||
CTCN 512 | Clinical Practicum & Practicum Supervision I | 2.0 |
CTCN 522 | Clinical Practicum & Practicum Supervision II | 2.0 |
CTCN 532 | Clinical Practicum & Practicum Supervision III | 2.0 |
CTCN 612 | Clinical Internship & Internship Supervision I | 2.0 |
CTCN 622 | Clinical Internship & Internship Supervision II | 2.0 |
CTCN 632 | Advanced Clinical Internship & Internship Supervision III | 2.0 |
Culminating Project | ||
CATX 625 | Culminating Project in Music Therapy I | 1.5 |
CATX 626 | Culminating Project in Music Therapy II | 1.5 |
Additional Electives | ||
As needed, in consultation with the program director students can select the following electives: | ||
For Culminating Project Only | ||
Total Credits | 90.0 |
Sample Plan of Study
First Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
CATX 501 | 2.0 | CATX 571 | 2.5 | CATX 572 | 2.5 | CTCN 504 | 4.5 |
CATX 570 | 2.5 | CATX 577 | 4.5 | CATX 573 | 4.0 | CTCN 505 | 4.5 |
CATX 575 | 4.5 | CTCN 509 | 4.5 | CATX 579 | 2.0 | ||
CTCN 501 | 4.5 | CTCN 522 | 2.0 | CTCN 503 | 4.5 | ||
CTCN 512 | 2.0 | CTCN 532 | 2.0 | ||||
15.5 | 13.5 | 15 | 9 | ||||
Second Year | |||||||
Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
CATX 673 | 3.0 | CATX 625 | 1.5 | CATX 626 | 1.5 | ||
CTCN 601 | 4.5 | CATX 674 | 3.0 | CATX 678 | 4.0 | ||
CTCN 608 | 4.5 | CTCN 603 | 4.5 | CTCN 604 | 4.5 | ||
CTCN 612 | 2.0 | CTCN 622 | 2.0 | CTCN 632 | 2.0 | ||
14 | 11 | 12 | |||||
Total Credits 90 |