Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts / BOYER COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DANCE

Learn more about the Master of Music Therapy.

About the Program

The Master in Music Therapy degree program is designed to provide professional music therapists with advanced clinical training, supported by studies in research, theory and ethics. The curriculum is underpinned by two domains: Music in Health and Music Psychotherapy. Students engage with a broad range of orientations, practices and research paradigms. Emphasis is given to integrating professional and personal development through self-experiences in music therapy.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 6 years, although the program is designed to be completed in 2 years (full-time).

Campus Location: Main campus which includes the Temple University Center City campus.

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The degree program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.

Accreditation: Temple University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and the degree program is approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).

Areas of Specialization: Coursework is designed to give students advanced knowledge of creative, receptive, recreative and verbal methods of music therapy; the ability to utilize and integrate these methods within health and psychotherapeutic settings and with a broad range of people; the ability to apply theory and research to practice; and an understanding of ethical issues in practice and research. In order to relate theory, research and practice, all courses involve extensive reflexivity with in-depth reading and experiential learning. The experiential components of the program are designed to sensitize students to the effects of their own personality on the client, the music, and the therapy process, while also identifying ethical issues indigenous to music therapy practice. Coursework in research methodology supports students in developing a Final Project as a culminating project for the program. 

Job Prospects: Graduates typically find employment in a variety of areas, including community mental health agencies, day care facilities, educational institutions, general and psychiatric hospitals, nursing homes, hospice and palliative care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and private practice. Graduates may combine clinical work with research in the above areas of practice. The program also provides preparation for doctoral study in music therapy and related disciplines.

Licensure/Certification: Board Certification in Music Therapy signifies that the music therapist has successfully completed a rigorous competency-based education, demonstrating proficiency in both academic knowledge and clinical training. This certification is a nationally recognized objective standard of competency. National certification is required to practice as a music therapist.

The Certification Board of Music Therapists administers the examination that graduates must pass to obtain the Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC) credential. Temple University's Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy and Master of Music in Music Therapy (Equivalency) programs both fulfil the educational requirements (including the internship) to sit for the certification examination.

In states that have licensure, music therapists must first obtain board certification through CBMT. Licensure is required in the following states: California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. For more information, visit https://www.cbmt.org/state-requirements/.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Professionals who wish to enroll in specific courses for continuing education may take courses with departmental approval. The Graduate School permits up to 9 credits of graduate coursework taken at Temple University as a non-matriculated student to be applied to a graduate degree.

Financing Opportunities: Boyer College of Music and Dance offers a number of assistantships and academic internships to full-time matriculated graduate students. Full awards carry a stipend plus full tuition remission for the Fall and Spring terms. Partial awards also are available in values of a quarter, half, or three quarters of a full award. Duties for assistantships and internships vary, but typically include teaching, tutoring, classroom assistance, research, artistic performance and/or direct service related to academic programs. All incoming graduate students are automatically considered for an award by the department and Dean of Admissions.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: February 1

Applications are processed as they arrive up to the deadline date.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 2

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from evaluators who can provide insight into the applicant's abilities, talents and aptitude for graduate study.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration: Three admission options are open to those seeking the MMT degree:

1. Master of Music Therapy, which is the option available to an applicant who has completed a bachelor's degree in Music Therapy and is certified to practice Music Therapy. Applicants for the MMT degree are expected to demonstrate the musicianship, self-awareness and interpersonal skills needed for in-depth clinical work.
2. Music Therapy/Combined Master's Equivalency Program, which is the option available to an applicant who has a bachelor's degree in Music, but is not certified in Music Therapy and must complete Music Therapy core courses. This program integrates core courses in Music Therapy required for entry-level certification with the master’s program.
3. Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy, which is the option available to an applicant who holds an undergraduate degree outside of Music or who does not have at least 60 undergraduate credits in Music or its equivalent. The bachelor’s degree must be earned prior to applying for the MMT.

The Master’s of Music Therapy - Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Program is available to both MMT students and Master's Equivalency students who want to complete the additional coursework needed to satisfy the Pennsylvania requirements for LPC licensure.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A baccalaureate degree in Music Therapy is required for admission to the MMT program.

A baccalaureate degree in Music Education, Music History, Music Performance, or Music Theory or a degree which includes at least 60 undergraduate credits in Music is required for admission to the MMT Equivalency program

Statement of Goals: Your goal statement should include an explanation of your special interests within the discipline and expectations for the program. Please include the following:

• Reasons for choosing Music Therapy as a career
• Your personal qualities (positive and negative) that might influence your work as a music therapist
• Why you want to study music therapy at Temple University
• What is your own philosophy of music therapy?
• Under what conditions would you seek therapy for yourself, and under what conditions would you seek music therapy as a client?

See here for more instructions: https://boyer.temple.edu/admissions/audition-requirements

Standardized Test Scores:
Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:

• TOEFL iBT: 90
• IELTS Academic: 7.0
• PTE Academic: 68

Audition: Applicants must submit a video-recorded audition consisting of:

• Two pieces in different styles in the applicant’s major performance medium (with accompanist when needed)
• Ten standard or popular songs sung and played by the applicant on piano and/or guitar. 

See https://www.temple.edu/boyer/admissions/graduate-admissions/audition-requirements.asp for audition repertoire requirements.

Resume: Please upload your current resume to Acceptd

Transfer Credit: A student who wishes to transfer credit should speak with their academic advisor and download and complete a "Request for Transfer of Graduate Credit" form, found in TUportal under the Tools tab within "University Forms." Transfer credits must be approved by the advisor, the department chair, and the Associate Dean. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 6.

Other: Due to the large number of applications for admission and the competitive nature of its music programs, the College admits only a portion of its applicants. In addition to the general admissions credentials required of all Temple University graduate applicants, specialized admission criteria (i.e., auditions, portfolios, interviews, recommendations, departmental term papers, and standardized examinations) are very heavily weighted in admission decisions of the Boyer College of Music and Dance. Graduate applicants may be rejected for admission for failing to obtain the required level of proficiency in any one area of the specialized admission criteria regardless of the level of success in meeting the Temple University general admission criteria. In addition to the level of success demonstrated in the above-mentioned criteria, a final admission factor is the College’s Optimum Enrollment Policy. This policy may preclude the admission of any student who meets the minimum requirements.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 36 for the MMT; 63 for the Music Therapy/Combined Master's Equivalency Program; 12 to add the Licensed Professional Counselor option

Required Courses:

Master of Music Therapy

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Core Courses
MUED 8601	Qualitative Research in Music Therapy	3
MUED 8602	Quantitative Research in Music Therapy	3
MUED 8603	Theories of Music Psychotherapy	2
MUED 8615	Adv Mus Thrpy Clin Trng	1
MUED 8617	Multicultural Music Therapy	2
MUED 8618	Music in Medicine	2
MUED 8621	Music Therapy Ethics	2
MUED 8626	Models of Clinical Supervision in Music Therapy	2
MUED 9687	Advanced Music Therapy Practicum	1
Electives 1		15
Recommended courses include:
MUED 8611	Music Therapy Research
MUED 8612	Music Therapy Foundation
MUED 9660	Advanced Topics in Music Psychotherapy
MUED 9670	Advanced Topics in Music Medicine
MUED 9680	Music Therapy: Special Topics
Capstone Course
MUED 9995	Master's Final Project	3
Total Credit Hours		36

¹

Select from Music, Music Education, Music Studies, Music Therapy, and other graduate departments. Advisor approval required.

Music Therapy/Combined Master's Equivalency Program

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Core Courses
MUED 5389	Fieldwork in Music Therapy I	1 to 3
MUED 5489	Fieldwork in Music Therapy II	1 to 3
MUED 5589	Fieldwork in Music Therapy III	1 to 3
MUED 5611	Music Therapy Graduate Overview	3
MUED 5614	Psychiatric Music Therapy	3
MUED 5616	Developmental Music Therapy	3
MUED 5619	Medical/Rehabilitative Music Therapy	3
MUED 5641	Music Therapy Experiences I: Creative Methods	1
MUED 5642	Music Therapy Experiences II: Recreative Methods	1
MUED 5643	Music Therapy Experiences III: Receptive Methods	1
MUED 5685	Music Therapy Clinical Internship	1 to 6
MUED 8601	Qualitative Research in Music Therapy	3
MUED 8602	Quantitative Research in Music Therapy	3
MUED 8603	Theories of Music Psychotherapy	2
MUED 8615	Adv Mus Thrpy Clin Trng	1
MUED 8617	Multicultural Music Therapy	2
MUED 8618	Music in Medicine	2
MUED 8621	Music Therapy Ethics	2
MUED 8626	Models of Clinical Supervision in Music Therapy	2
MUED 9687	Advanced Music Therapy Practicum	1
Electives 1		15
Recommended courses include:
MUED 8611	Music Therapy Research
MUED 8612	Music Therapy Foundation
MUED 9660	Advanced Topics in Music Psychotherapy
MUED 9670	Advanced Topics in Music Medicine
MUED 9680	Music Therapy: Special Topics
Capstone Course
MUED 9995	Master's Final Project	3
Total Credit Hours		55-66

¹

Select from Music, Music Education, Music Studies, Music Therapy, and other graduate departments. Advisor approval required.

Master of Music Therapy - Licensed Professional Counselor Program

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
CPSY 5519	Group Counseling	3
CPSY 5593	Career Counseling and Development	3
CPSY 5694	Introduction to Assessment	3
EPSY 5541	Concepts in Human Development	3
Total Credit Hours		12

Additional Requirements:
Diagnostic Examination:Due to the large number of applications for admission and the competitive nature of its music programs, the College admits only a portion of its applicants. In addition to the general admissions credentials required of all Temple University graduate applicants, specialized admission criteria (i.e., auditions, portfolios, interviews, recommendations, departmental term papers, and standardized examinations) are very heavily weighted in admission decisions of the Boyer College of Music and Dance. Graduate applicants may be rejected for admission for failing to obtain the required level of proficiency in any one area of the specialized admission criteria regardless of the level of success in meeting the Temple University general admission criteria. In addition to the level of success demonstrated in the above-mentioned criteria, a final admission factor is the College’s Optimum Enrollment Policy. This policy may preclude the admission of any student who meets the minimum requirements.

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
MUSC 1211	Voice Class	1
MUED 5558	Guitar I	1
MUED 5559	Guitar II	1
MUED 5631	Advanced Functional Voice I	1
MUED 5632	Advanced Functional Voice II	1
MUED 5633	Advanced Functional Piano I	1
MUED 5634	Advanced Functional Piano II	1
MUED 5635	Advanced Functional Guitar I	1
MUED 5636	Advanced Functional Guitar II	1
MUSC 1212	Voice Class	1
MUST 2105	Jazz Secondary Piano	1
MUST 2106	Jazz Secondary Piano	1
MUST 3105	Jazz Class Piano	1
MUST 3106	Jazz Class Piano	1

Credits earned in required remedial courses do not apply toward the master’s degree.

NOTE:  All students must present themselves for the Diagnostic Examination at the designated time. Students who wish to waive any portion of the examination by taking the remedial courses are still required to present themselves for the scheduled Diagnostic Examination, unless they send written notification to the Music Therapy faculty stating their intent to waive all portions of the exam. When students waive all portions of the exam, they are required to take all remedial coursework without any further opportunity for taking or retaking the examination.

Clinical Experience:
For MUED 9687 and MUED 8615 ongoing work as a music therapist is required. Your learning in all courses will benefit from ongoing clinical experience.

Tuition and Fee Payments:
All tuition and fees must be paid according to the deadlines given by the Bursar's Office at the time of registration. When payments are not received by the University deadlines for each term, late fees are imposed. Students are encouraged to be punctual in meeting all registration deadlines, as failure to do so is very costly in time, effort and money.

Acceptable English:
All students, including those for whom English is not the native language, are expected to present all written work in acceptable English. No double standard exists to differentiate students on the basis of proficiency in the use of the English language. Students are also responsible for becoming familiar with the College's statement on plagiarism and academic honesty.

Culminating Events:
Comprehensive Examination:
When approaching completion of coursework, the student works with the MMT Program Coordinator, to formally schedule their comprehensive examination. This examination encompasses a reflective integration of learning as it relates to the student’s clinical practice. 

The written qualifying examination in Music Therapy does not limit its scope to the coursework taken at Boyer College of Music and Dance. Instead, the student is expected to study comprehensively in preparation for this examination. The written qualifying examination in Music Therapy covers:

Final Project:
As part of the Music Therapy curriculum, students undertake a final project that encompasses a pilot research study.

Contacts

Department Contacts: