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Dual Degree Music Therapy Program

The B.S./M.S. Dual Degree Program in Music Therapy provides students with the necessary theoretical knowledge, practical techniques and clinical experience required to use music as a therapeutic modality with children and adults having special needs. The program is interdisciplinary and incorporates both the music coursework to develop students’ musicianship skills, and the coursework in Psychology to provide models for evaluations and treatment of clinical populations. Courses in Music Therapy and Music Psychotherapy include the theoretical basis for music as therapy and music in therapy, exploration of clinical techniques and models, training in clinical improvisation, music therapy lab experiences and fieldwork experiences at clinical sites on Long Island and the Metropolitan area. The culminating experience of the student’s training is a 900-hour clinical internship completed in the senior year.

The B.S./M.S. Dual Degree in Music Therapy—the only B.S. program on Long Island that is approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). Graduates of Molloy’s dynamic program are eligible to sit for the Board Certification Exam in Music Therapy. Upon passing this exam, the student acquires the credential, Music Therapist— Board Certified (MT–BC).

Admission Requirements

The Dual Degree Program (DDP) allows students to build on their knowledge base and expedite their training. The DDP permits students to replace nine credits of baccalaureate study with nine credits of master's study. Students apply to the Dual Degree at the end of their Junior year.

  • Students are required to have a strong academic background and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Students need to receive a "B" or better in ALL music courses as well as in Abnormal Psychology and Developmental Psychology.
  • A personal interview regarding the student's eligibility is required.
  • Student must be able to pass the Music Therapy Internship jury with a score of "90" or better on both guitar and piano.
  • Additional assessments will be employed prior to matriculation in graduate programs. (See the Music Therapy Handbook.)
  • Students must meet Professional Disposition Competencies (see student handbook).

Progression

Progression requirements are:

  • A grade of "B-" or better is necessary for all required music and music therapy courses. These courses can be repeated one time. Failure to attain a grade of at least "B" when taking a music or music therapy course for the second time for the second time will necessitate withdrawal from the program.
  • Students must pass a music therapy dual degree jury (which is a formal evaluation of music skills by Departmental Faculty) with a minimum score of "85" prior to Music Therapy Fieldwork I (MUS 3740) and again prior to Music Therapy Fieldwork II (MUS 3750). These juries can be repeated one time. Failure to attain at least an "85" when taking a jury for the second time necessitates withdrawal from the program.
  • Students must pass a music therapy jury with a minimum score of "90" in order to begin MUS 5200. These juries can be repeated one time. Failure to attain at least a "90" when taking a jury for the second time necessitates withdrawal from the program.
  • Students may withdraw from a required music course only one time.
  • Students must meet Professional Disposition Competencies. (See Student Handbook).