Music Therapy Program

at

California State University, Northridge

 

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WHY CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE?


California Sate University, Northridge is located in the western district of the San Fernando Valley in the City of Los Angeles. The beautiful 350-acre campus houses a student body of over 28,000 students. It is one of the largest of the 19 campuses in the California State University and College system, which has an overall enrollment of approximately 300,000 students. Academic excellence has been achieved through a distinguished faculty whose primary responsibility is superior teaching. CSUN is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the State Board of Education.

CSUN's Department of Music is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. The department is housed in a modern three-million dollar music building containing two large rehearsal halls, classrooms, 67 practice rooms and faculty offices. For music performances the University has a 200 seat recital hall, a 200 seat small theater, and a larger theater for major productions, as well as a new theater in the campus' Student Union complex.

WHAT IS MUSIC THERAPY?


Music Therapy is a field that uses music along with the personality of the therapist as a treatment for rehabilitating, maintaining, and improving the lives of persons with physical, intellectual, and emotional disabilities. Music Therapy is a creative arts therapy similar to others such as Art, Dance, and Drama Therapy. It is however, unique in that music is a special medium or tool with which music therapists work toward treatment goals. It is a healing art, based on scientific principles, grounded in research and is constantly expanding as a profession.

Some examples of clinical music therapy include: working with handicapped children being "mainstreamed" into public school to improve their physical coordination as well as academic skills through music's structure; an elderly person suffering from a stroke may benefit from music therapy by regaining communication skills as well as coordination. An adult or adolescent with behavioral, emotional, or mental problems can learn new adaptive skills, explore feelings, and regain normal functioning in society through music therapy.

WHERE ARE MUSIC THERAPISTS EMPLOYED?


Music therapists work in psychiatric hospitals, general hospitals, children's hospitals, schools and centers for the developmentally disabled (retarded, cerebral palsied, etc.), community mental health centers, juvenile detention and treatment centers, convalescent (nursing) homes and retirement centers, and public and private schools. Some therapists are involved in special education programs; others work in private practice with children and adults, referred by doctors and health agencies.

WHAT ARE THE PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS OF A MUSIC THERAPIST?


The Music Therapist must possess strong musical talents and abilities, balanced emotional and social attributes, a commitment to assisting people toward healthier adjustments to life, a dedication to the study of music and its functional adaptations for influencing behavior change based on scientific research in music psychology and clinical practice.

WHY STUDY MUSIC THERAPY AT CSUN?


The CSUN Music Therapy program emphasizes a competency based approach to education. Didactic and experiential methods combined with individualized attention allows for steady development growth in the student. A wide range of populations are available for fieldwork experience with supervision by trained professionals preparing the student for clinical internship. The Music Therapy program brings in a wide variety professionals to do interesting presentations and seminars to further stimulate the growth of students.

The Music Therapy Association of Northridge (MTAN) is an active student group providing support for the Music Therapy major and also assisting in orienting the new student to the program. If you would like to communicate with the current MTAN President please email her by following the link on this home page that takes you to the student pager. Yearly scholarships are available for outstanding students. Currently, CSUN is the only State University that offers this degree.


The Music Therapy Wellness Clinic

The Music Therapy Wellness Clinic provides individually designed music activities for children and adults with disabilities and special challenges, including autism, developmental delay, physical, mental and emotional disorders, and learning disabilities.

The Music Therapy Wellness Clinic is dedicated to creating an environment where an individual with special challenges can acquire necessary life skills through the unique, creative and enjoyable medium of music. The Music Therapy Wellness Clinic allows an opportunity for each participant to express his or her true creative essence while gaining skills and enhancing self-esteem.

The Benefits of Music Therapy Include:

  • Development of fine and gross motor skills
  • Improvement in acquisition and application of academic fundamentals
  • Development of practical life skills
  • Increase in socialization
  • Enhancement of self-esteem
  • Expansion of the quality of life through musical enjoyment and creative self-expression

The Music Therapy Wellness Clinic provides individual and group sessions conducted by a highly trained and experienced Music Therapist. A variety of instruments are used, including piano, guitar, percussion, autoharp, recorder and harmonica, as well as voice. Check out the Clinic information page.

 

IS IT A DEGREE PROGRAM?

Upon completion of the curriculum, you receive a BA in Music Therapy.

WHAT EDUCATION IS REQUIRED?


California State University, Northridge is one of more than 60 colleges and universities offering a four-year academic and clinical program based on the education requirements established by the American Music Therapy Association. Included in the program are courses in Music, General Education (with special emphasis in psychology and special education) and Music Therapy.

Following the four years of academic work, a six-month clinical internship in an approved clinical setting is required. Upon successful completion of these requirements, the student receives a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music Therapy. The student is then eligible to take the National Board Certification test. If you already possess a BM or a BA, you are eligible for the Music Therapy Equivalency upon the completion of the music therapy courses and any other required course work.


MUSIC THERAPY COURSE WORK


Mu 292 Therapy Orientation
Mu 360 Functional Therapeutic Music Skills
Mu 392 Music In Therapy
Mu 477 Music Therapy Practicum
Mu 491 Psychology of Music
Mu 492 Influence of Music on Behavior
Mu 494 Music Therapy Internship

These music therapy core courses are offered over a two-year period. As you are involved in these courses you will be learning many of your clinical skills in a fieldwork setting. These usually consist of about 2 hours per week of hands-on training with a Music Therapist. You will complete a minimum of 4 of these fieldwork's (actual course is called a practicum, MU477). After all the course requirements are satisfied, you must complete a six-month clinical internship at an approved setting. When you have finished your internship, you may apply for registration with the American Music Therapy Association, and you are eligible to sit for the national exam to become a Board Certified Music Therapist. The CSUN program is approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and the National Association for Schools of Music (NASM).

I have a degree in music already, what do I need to do to become a Music Therapist?

You would then enter the program under what is called an "equivalency" status. This means that you need to complete the music therapy coursework, as well as any other classes that are required for the American Music Therapy Association. If you already have the psychology, anatomy or special education requirements on your transcripts from another institution, those requirements will be waived. The Director of the Music Therapy Program will need a copy of your transcripts to verify that your music degree meets the same requirements as those of CSUN. In most cases this is not a problem. How long will it then take me? Presently the core courses are offered on a 2-year rotating basis. Therefore it will take you 2 years of part-time schoolwork. At the end of the 2 years you must complete a 6-month full-time internship at an AMTA approved facility. Depending on the facility, this internship may or may not be paid.

I am an incoming freshman, what do I need to do?

First, apply to the University. Second, make sure you receive a letter from the Music Department informing you of when auditions and orientation are. On that day, make time to meet with Professor Borczon for a personal interview. The program is a complete 4-year program that has an additional 6-month internship that is completed after all the required coursework is finished. Attached is a copy of the complete curriculum you will follow.

I have not really had formal instruction in music, but I want to pursue music therapy. What should I do?

The CSUN program, as most Music Therapy programs do, requires a proficiency level on your primary instrument. The style for all instrumental and vocal auditions is classical. Therefore, I recommend getting your training underway quickly. If you live in the Northridge area, call the Music Department for a list of teachers. If you do not live in the area, contact a local University or College for such a list and promptly begin your studies. You will not be fully admitted to the program unless you have passed an audition.

I am a transfer student, what do I need to do, and how long will it take me?

First, apply to the University. Second, make sure your receive a letter from the Music Department informing you of when auditions and orientation are. On that day, make time to meet with Professor Borczon for a personal interview. The length of time to complete the degree varies depending on the evaluation of your transcripts and what the University will require you to take. On your audition date, please have a copy of your transcripts with you as well as any correspondence from the admissions office regarding the evaluation of your transcripts. Having these will greatly help in counseling you for classes. It is recommended that you transfer at the earliest possible date so you can become quickly involved in our program.

What are the requirements for private instruction?

You will be required to progress through your sophomore year on your primary instrument. No recital is required. For information on audition requirements for your primary instrument, contact the Music Department.

I do not have a degree in music, but my degree is in another field, how can I become a Music Therapist?

In order to become a Music Therapist, you must either complete the undergraduate program in Music Therapy, or the equivalency to it. This means you are looking at a complete music program. If you have had music courses in your past (i.e. a music minor), you will be treated more like a transfer student (please see transfer student section). The minimal amount of time it will take you is 2.5 years of full time classes. Most likely, it will be a little longer. You will be required to play an audition. If you fall into this category, I must reiterate that a complete music program or its equivalency (approximately 55 semester hours in addition to the Music Therapy core courses) is necessary

How do I apply to the University?

You may contact our Admissions and Records Department at 818-677-3700 for an application.

Professional Continuing Education Courses

Select From The Following

  • Stories, Myth's and Music Therapy; A Jungian Approach
  • Accessing the Inner Child Through Music
  • An Orientation To Music Therapy For The Non-MusicTherapy Professional
  • Thematic Song Analysis - A Cognitive Behavioral Approach
  • Improvisational Techniques
  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Recognition, Recovery, and Music Therapy

All classes are worth 5 Continuing Education Credits. Certificates are awarded to participants at the end of the class. These classes are offered through the Music Therapy Association of Northridge who is approved to offer these classes for credit by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). These credits are also recognized by the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC).

Stories Myth's and Music Therapy explores various "old tales." The participant will learn: how to utilize music in the presentation of a story; the interpretation of the stories; and how to apply them in a clinical setting; be part of a group story experience. The method is based on the philosophy of C.G. Jung.

Accessing the Inner Child Through Music takes the participant on a series of experiences in search of finding their inner child. The participant will: explore the nature of their inner child; and learn about clinical applications; be able to define aspects of the inner child.

An Orientation to Music Therapy for the Non-Music Therapy Professional gives an overview of the field of Music Therapy. The participant will: be able to define music therapy; see music therapy in action through many video tapes; learn about the power of music and its relationship to human behavior.

Thematic Song Analysis - A Cognitive Behavioral Approach explores cognitive behavioral techniques and how they are used in a song analyzation format. Participants will: learn how to group songs around treatment issues; be part of an experiential group; learn about new groups that can be used in clinical settings.

Improvisational Techniques combines the improvisational experience with lectures to further these skills for the participant. The participant will: be involved in both referential and non-referential improvisations; observe and learn the relationship between improvisations and behavior; learn leading techniques to be utilized in an improvisational group.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Recognition,Recovery Strategies and Music Therapy was developed after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake and the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing. Participants will: learn the symptoms of PTSD; learn music therapy based techniques in working with PTSD; understand the need for taking care of oneself when working with survivors of a disaster or PTSD clients.

Where can I go to get more information about Music Therapy and job opportunities in the field?

It is difficult to find literature in general bookstores and even many libraries are deficient in this area. I recommend going to www.Barcelonapublishers.com to find many interesting books on the field of music therapy. The Journal of Music Therapy may be available at your library, or contact the American Music Therapy Association at 301-589-3300 or on the web at www.musictherapy.org.

For further information write to:


Mr. Ronald M. Borczon, MT-BC, Guitar and Music Therapy
Department of Music
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8314
Telephone: 818-677-3174
email:
rborczon@csun.edu