Overview
The Master of Music degree in Music Therapy with Undergraduate Equivalency is the ideal option for the individual who has already completed a bachelor's degree in some area of music (i.e., music performance, music education, etc.) and seeks training as a music therapist. This degree program provides students with the opportunity to develop advanced-level clinical practice and/or research experience. Students in this specialized degree program complete one year of undergraduate prerequisite courses in music, music therapy, psychology, and biology. These courses provide the student with entry-level clinical competency. In years two and three, students complete graduate level coursework as required for the Master of Music degree in Music Therapy. The entire curriculum is built upon the clinical and research paradigm known as Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT). This model utilizes scientific evidence regarding the influence of music on human brain and behavior function to treat address neurological, developmental, and medical needs. The NMT approach is recognized and accepted by the medical community, thus supporting career opportunities for our graduates.
Admission Requirements
All applicants to the Frost School must submit the following items:
· An online application
· Application fee
· Resume
· Three letters of recommendation
· Official transcripts from every post-secondary school attended
This graduate degree program also requires submission of certain supplemental materials, including:
· Prescreen/Performance
· Writing sample
· TOEFL/IELTS score, as applicable
For more detailed information, please visit our Graduate Admission website.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MASTER OF MUSIC COURSES (40 Credit Hours at the Graduate Level) | ||
| Major Area | ||
| MED 646 | Music in Psychotherapy | 3 |
| MED 729 | Advanced Music Therapy Practice I | 3 |
| MED 730 | Advanced Music Therapy Practice II | 3 |
| MED 757 | Music Therapy Graduate Practicum 1 | 2 |
| MED 758 | Music Therapy Graduate Practicum 2 | 2 |
| MED 759 | Music Therapy Graduate Practicum 3 | 2 |
| MED 710 | Graduate Forum in Music Therapy | 0 |
| MED 802 | Internship in Music Therapy ** | 3 |
| Final Project (Thesis or Clinical Emphasis) | 3 | |
| Master's Thesis | ||
or MED 805 | Master's Project | |
| Other Studies in Music | ||
| Approved Graduate Level Courses in Music | 10 | |
| Supportive Studies | ||
| MED 651 | Music Therapy Research Methods | 3 |
| Approved Neuroscience Elective | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Approved Research Elective (if choosing Thesis Emphasis) | ||
Approved Clinical Elective (if choosing Clinical Emphasis) | ||
| UNDERGRADUATE EQUIVALENCY COURSES (43 credit hours) | ||
| MED 10 | Music Therapy Forum | 0 |
| MED 149 | Functional Techniques in Music Therapy I | 2 |
| MED 159 | Introduction to Music Therapy | 3 |
| MED 242 | Percussion Techniques | 1 |
| MED 244 | Vocal Techniques | 1 |
| MED 249 | Functional Techniques in Music Therapy II | 2 |
| MED 259 | Music Therapy Pre-Practicum | 2 |
| MED 359 | Music Therapy Practicum 1A | 2 |
| MED 545 | Music in Rehabilitation | 3 |
| MED 562 | Psychology of Music I | 3 |
| MED 576 | Music and Development | 3 |
| PSY 110 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 220 | Introduction to Psychobiology | 3 |
| PSY 292 | Introduction to Biobehavioral Statistics Section B | 3 |
| PSY 230 | Child and Adolescent Development | 3 |
| or EPS 270 | Lifespan Human Development | |
| PSY 240 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSY 345 | Child Psychopathology | 3 |
| BIL 109 | Human Biology | 3 |
| Exams | ||
| Comprehensive Exam | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 83 | |
** All internship applications must include a written letter of recommendation from a music therapy faculty member.
Sample Plan of Study
Clinical or Thesis Emphasis
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MED 249 | Functional Techniques in Music Therapy II | 2 |
| MED 259 | Music Therapy Pre-Practicum | 2 |
| MED 159 | Introduction to Music Therapy | 3 |
| MED 576 | Music and Development | 3 |
| PSY 110 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 240 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| MED 10 | Music Therapy Forum | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| MED 242 | Percussion Techniques | 1 |
| MED 244 | Vocal Techniques | 1 |
| MED 149 | Functional Techniques in Music Therapy I | 2 |
| MED 359 | Music Therapy Practicum 1A | 2 |
| MED 562 | Psychology of Music I | 3 |
| MED 545 | Music in Rehabilitation | 3 |
| BIL 109 | Human Biology | 3 |
| MED 10 | Music Therapy Forum | 0 |
| PSY 220 | Introduction to Psychobiology | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Summer | ||
| PSY 292 | Introduction to Biobehavioral Statistics Section B | 3 |
| PSY 345 | Child Psychopathology | 3 |
| PSY 230 or EPS 270 | Child and Adolescent Development or Lifespan Human Development | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| MED 729 | Advanced Music Therapy Practice I | 3 |
| MED 651 | Music Therapy Research Methods | 3 |
| MED 757 | Music Therapy Graduate Practicum 1 | 2 |
| Graduate Studies in Music | 1 | |
| MED 710 | Graduate Forum in Music Therapy | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| MED 646 | Music in Psychotherapy | 3 |
| MED 730 | Advanced Music Therapy Practice II | 3 |
| MED 758 | Music Therapy Graduate Practicum 2 | 2 |
| MED 805 or 810 | Master's Project or Master's Thesis | 1 |
| MED 710 | Graduate Forum in Music Therapy | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| MED 759 | Music Therapy Graduate Practicum 3 | 2 |
| Neuroscience Elective | 3 | |
| Graduate Studies in Music | 4 | |
| MED 805 or 810 | Master's Project or Master's Thesis | 1 |
| MED 710 | Graduate Forum in Music Therapy | 0 |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| MED 805 or 810 | Master's Project or Master's Thesis | 1 |
| Graduate Studies in Music | 5 | |
| Research Elective (Thesis Emphasis) or Clinical Elective (Clinical Emphasis) | 3 | |
| MED 710 | Graduate Forum in Music Therapy | 0 |
| Comprehensive Exam | ||
| Credit Hours | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| MED 802 | Internship in Music Therapy | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 1 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| MED 802 | Internship in Music Therapy | 2 |
| Credit Hours | 2 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 83 | |
* The first year of this program consists entirely of undergraduate prerequisite courses. Students must demonstrate successful completion of these courses, and earn with a minimum GPA of 3.0 each semester of the first year, before continuing to either equivalency-only courses or graduate level courses in the second year.
* In this program, students complete three years of courses, followed by 6 months of internship which is 6-month, full-time clinical training experience that is completed off-campus at an approved facility. The bulk of the thesis work should be completed to internship and the thesis defense may take place before or after the internship.
* This is a suggested Plan of Study. Your actual course sequence may vary depending on your previous academic experience as well as current course offerings. Students should meet with their academic advisor each semester to determine the appropriate course selection.
Mission
The mission of the Master of Music degree program in Music Therapy at the Frost School of Music is to prepare students to develop:
- advanced and comprehensive musicianship
- independent research skill
- advanced level clinical knowledge and skill for the music therapy profession.
Goals
The Master of Music degree in Music Therapy with Undergraduate Equivalency is designed to help students achieve the following three goals:
1. To acquire specialized musicianship as needed for advanced performance and for clinical practice. Within the diverse and comprehensive Frost School of Music, students have the opportunity to study with faculty who perform and compose regularly in local, national and international venues. Consequently, the musical preparation of students here is unparalleled.
2. To achieve advanced clinical competencies by examining the scientific evidence that supports the use of music in a therapeutic context. Through this examination, students will gain an in-depth understanding of human behavior and further refine their clinical interaction skills. Students will then translate this knowledge into therapeutic interventions which are then applied to clinical populations. Clinical work and research can be conducted at multiple hospitals and agencies in the greater Miami area, including the world-famous Miller School of Medicine.
3. To develop independent research skills. Students have the opportunity to exercise their critical thinking skills and increase their knowledge of research topics, methodology, and analysis. Students who pursue the thesis will demonstrate the ability to design and conduct an independent research project. Students who pursue the clinical emphasis will apply research findings as they develop a clinically focused project within a specific clinical setting.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate musical skills and knowledge of musical concepts for advanced clinical practice.
- Students will demonstrate advanced clinical knowledge and skill competency.
- Students will demonstrate independent research skill.
