What Is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is the use of music interventions by a credentialed music therapist to promote functional change in physical, cognitive, communication, social, and emotional skills in individuals of all ages and abilities. Music therapy is a creative arts therapy that is based on scientific principles, grounded in research, and has been constantly expanding as a profession since the 1900’s.
Music therapy interventions can be designed to:
- promote wellness
- manage stress
- alleviate pain
- express feelings
- enhance memory
- improve communication
- promote physical rehabilitation
- learn skills for daily living
Some clinical examples of music therapy include:
- improving physical coordination and academic skills of children with disabilities being mainstreamed into schools
- regaining communication and coordination skills in stroke patients
- learning adaptive skills, exploring feelings, and regaining functioning in society for individuals with behavioral, emotional, or mental health diagnoses
Where Are Music Therapists Employed?
Music therapists work in schools and centers for individuals with developmental disabilities, general hospitals, children's hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, community mental health centers, juvenile detention and treatment centers, as well as skilled nursing facilities and residential facilities. Music therapists are also involved in special education programs; others work in private practice where they receive referrals from doctors and health agencies to work with individuals.
What Are the Attributes of Music Therapists?
Music therapists are skilled musicians and also have an interest in and commitment to helping people. Music therapists need to be versatile to be able to adapt to changing circumstances when using music to target functional needs of individuals. Music therapists offer care and emotional support to clients and families and thus must have empathy, compassion, and be open to new ideas. In addition, music therapists convey their clinical and research work clearly through speech and in writing.
Find More Information About Music Therapy
American Music Therapy Association: www.musictherapy.org
Certification Board for Music Therapists: www.cbmt.org
Journal of Music Therapy: https://academic.oup.com/jmt
Music Therapy Perspectives: https://academic.oup.com/mtp
For books on music therapy
What Does Music Therapy at CSUN Look Like?
The CSUN Music Therapy program emphasizes a competency-based approach to education including courses in music, music therapy, psychology, special education, and general education. Didactic and experiential methods combined with individualized attention allows for consistent developmental growth in students. Students will learn musical, clinical, and therapeutic skills through hands-on training working with a variety of clinical populations in practicums supervised by music therapists in the community, which will prepare students for a music therapy internship. Further, music therapy professionals from around the world serve as guest speakers, providing educational presentations and seminars to further stimulate the growth of students.
Yearly scholarships are available for outstanding music therapy students. Currently, CSUN is the only State University that offers a Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy degree.
What Is the Music Therapy Student Organization?
The Music Therapy Association of Northridge (MTAN) is an active student group providing support for Music Therapy students and assisting new students in the program. To learn more about MTAN, visit their Instagram page @csunmusictherapy.
What Are the Music Therapy Courses?
- MUS 292 Music Therapy Orientation
- MUS 360/L Functional Music Skills for Therapy and Lab
- MUS 392/L Music in Therapy and Lab
- MUS 477 Music Therapy Practicum
- MUS 491 Psychology of Music
- MUS 492/L The Practice of Music Therapy and Lab
- MUS 390MI Music Therapy Improvisation
- MUS 494 Internship (Music Therapy)
After completing coursework, students are required to complete a six-month music therapy internship at an approved setting. When students finish their internship, they are eligible to sit for the Certification Board for Music Therapists exam to become a Board Certified Music Therapist.
Questions?
Email Director of the Music Therapy Program Hilary Yip, MM, MT-BC at Hilary.Yip@csun.edu
Incoming Freshman
What Is the Application, Audition, and Interview Process?
Apply to California State University, Northridge: https://www.calstate.edu/apply
Follow the information to register for an audition on your primary instrument or voice on the Music Department’s web page: Audition & Placement.
After completing an audition on their primary instrument or voice, applicants are scheduled to meet with the Director of the Music Therapy program to interview for the music therapy program. Applicants will be asked to discuss reasons they want to study music therapy as well as demonstrate their musical skills during the interview. Applicants should prepare to sing and play two contrasting styles of popular songs with instrumental accompaniment (e.g., piano, guitar). Applicants who do not have accompaniment instrumental experience may sing a capella or use a recorded instrumental track.
To be accepted as a student in the CSUN music therapy program, applicants must also be accepted as a student to CSUN and to the Music Department.
What Is the Length of the Music Therapy Program?
The program is only offered in person. Coursework begins in the fall semester. As incoming freshmen, students complete four years of coursework and a six-month music therapy internship to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy option degree. Completion of the bachelor’s degree qualifies graduates to take the Certification Board for Music Therapists exam to earn the Music Therapist Board Certified (MT-BC) credential.
What Private Music Lessons are Required?
To earn a BA degree, students are required to take four semesters of private lessons on their primary instrument. These lessons are taught by faculty and are part of the curriculum. A recital is not required for the degree.
Transfer Student
What Is the Application, Audition, and Interview Process?
Apply to California State University, Northridge: https://www.calstate.edu/apply
Follow the information to register for an audition on your primary instrument or voice on the Music Department’s web page: Audition & Placement.
After completing an audition on their primary instrument or voice, applicants are scheduled to meet with the Director of the Music Therapy program to interview for the music therapy program. Applicants will be asked to discuss reasons they want to study music therapy as well as demonstrate proficient guitar, piano, and singing skills during the interview. Applicants should prepare to sing and play two contrasting styles of popular songs with guitar and piano accompaniment.
To be accepted as a student in the CSUN music therapy program, applicants must also be accepted as a student to CSUN and to the Music Department.
What Is the Length of the Music Therapy Program?
The program is only offered in person. Coursework begins in the fall semester. Transfer students typically complete coursework in two years and a six-month music therapy internship to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy option degree. Completion of the bachelor’s degree qualifies graduates to take the Certification Board for Music Therapists exam to earn the Music Therapist Board Certified (MT-BC) credential.
Who Is Eligible for the Music Therapy Equivalency Program?
Individuals who have completed at least a bachelor’s degree in music (not in music therapy) are eligible to apply for the Music Therapy Equivalency Program.
What Is the Application and Interview Process?
Apply to California State University, Northridge: https://www.calstate.edu/apply Select the Graduate-Certificate code. Your application is for the Music Therapy Certificate and is not for a graduate program in music. Applications are only accepted for the fall semester.
In January, applicants should email the Director of the Music Therapy Program to schedule an interview for the music therapy program. Applicants will be asked to discuss reasons they want to study music therapy as well as demonstrate proficient guitar, piano, and singing skills during the interview. Applicants should prepare to sing and play two contrasting styles of popular songs with guitar and piano accompaniment.
What Is the Length of the Music Therapy Program?
The program is only offered in person. Coursework begins in the fall semester. Equivalency students begin coursework in the fall semester. Equivalency students complete two years of undergraduate music therapy coursework and a six-month music therapy internship to earn a Music Therapy Certificate. Completion of the equivalency program qualifies graduates to take the Certification Board for Music Therapists exam to earn the Music Therapist Board Certified (MT-BC) credential.
