Master of Arts in Music Therapy
The Master of Arts in Music Therapy (MAMT) program at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is dedicated to providing music therapists with learning experiences designed to: 1) deepen and broaden the current understanding of the therapeutic use of music; and 2) prepare students for advanced areas of music therapy practice. The program welcomes music therapists who seek a distance learning format to enrich their professional and/or personal interests in music therapy. Emphasis is given to understanding and applying theories of music therapy, counseling and psychopathology, and to developing the therapeutic self.
Music Area Mission Statement
The Music Area functions as part of the Department of Music and Theatre within the liberal arts framework of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. The Music Area is dedicated to offering degrees, programs, and courses designed to prepare students as musicians, music therapists, and appreciators of music. A common core liberal arts music curriculum is central to all undergraduate music degree programs.
The program is designed specifically for persons who, because of work, family, or other commitments, cannot pursue a graduate degree in the traditional way. Students spend four to five days on campus at the beginning of each semester; courses begun during this time are completed from students’ homes and include interactive learning activities which are guided by faculty. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has offered this type of learning for over 40 years. Students are also required to come to campus for two 6-day summer intensives during the program.
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.
Program Goals
- To deepen understanding of theories of music therapy, counseling and psychotherapy, and to facilitate the application of theory to music therapy practice.
- To enhance the skills utilized throughout the therapeutic process, as applied to groups and individuals.
- To develop advanced understanding of therapeutic uses of music, as applied to medicine and psychotherapy.
- To educate music therapists for a multicultural world with great diversity in clientele.
- To encourage music therapists to be informed of, and engaged in, contemporary music issues.
- To reinforce understanding of musical developments and events throughout history.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply an advanced understanding of the theoretical foundations of music therapy and counseling to practice.
- Utilize specific music therapy and counseling techniques with individuals and groups in a variety of settings, with emphasis on medical and psychotherapeutic settings.
- Demonstrate advanced understanding of, and ability to use, methods of music therapy assessment.
- Appraise ethical issues and current business practices of music therapy practice.
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 (MT-BC, CMT, RMT, ACMT). 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.
Music Placement Evaluation
Each student will have an individual placement evaluation prior to or during the first residency. The purpose of the placement evaluation 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 evaluation, 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.
Probationary Admission
Students with academic or musical deficiencies as determined by transcripts, audition, and/or placement evaluation may be admitted on a probationary status. It is the responsibility of the student to correct academic deficiencies, and to pass the audition and placement requirements before beginning the fifth course in order to continue in the program.
Graduation Requirements
- Successful completion of the required 43 graduate credit hours
- 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
(43 credit hours total)
| MU 520 | World Music | 3 |
| MU 521 | Topics in Music History and Literature | 3 |
| MU 522 | Contemporary Issues in Music | 3 |
| MU 544 | Advanced Improvisation and Composition for Music Therapy | 3 |
| MU 558 | Advanced Music Therapy Practicum | 1-6 |
| 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 |
| CN 560 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| CN 580 | Theories and Techniques of Counseling | 3 |
| CN 581 | Group Dynamics in Counseling | 3 |