Music Therapy, B.S.

The Maryville Music Therapy program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and is approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). The four-year program culminates in a six-month internship under the supervision of a board-certified music therapist in a wide choice of facilities approved by the AMTA. The degree is awarded at the completion of the internship.

A total of 1,200 clinical training hours are required for graduation. The first portion of those hours is accomplished within the academic courses in the practica in which students gain exposure to a minimum of  three populations. The remainder of the hours, is given to the internship experience. Upon successful completion of the internship, the student is eligible to sit for the Certification Board for Music Therapists national exam, and successful candidates will receive the professional credential, MT-BC.

All Music Therapy majors are expected to declare a major applied instrument and take private lessons on that instrument until graduation. They are required to perform on their applied music instrument in recital at least once each academic year. They are to be in ensemble experience (choral or instrumental) each semester. They must successfully pass the piano and guitar proficiency examinations prior to starting their internship. Nonpiano majors take piano each semester until proficiency level is met.

Students must complete an audition and interview and be accepted into the program.   Details about the audition process are given under Special Admission Requirements for Undergraduate Academic Programs.

Upon admission to the program, Music Therapy majors are required to maintain a 2.5 average at Maryville to remain in the program. No grade less than a “C” will be accepted in MUS and MUTH courses. 

Students with a previous degree, but not in music, are actually degree seeking students. They will be required to complete all of the music courses required for the music therapy degree.

See Financial Matters for reference to fees that apply: Private/Applied Music Instruction and Professional Insurance (Practica semesters and Internship). There also is a fee for clinical background check.

Students can achieve early access to the Master of Music Therapy in their final year of preparation. Qualifying undergraduate and equivalency students are encouraged to take graduate level coursework as a bridge to the graduate degree.