Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy

Emphasizing Clinical Practice and Practice-Based Research  

Ohio University's Music Therapy Department, begun in 1951, is one of the oldest music therapy degree programs in the United States. The program offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees and follows a long history of quality teaching and preparation of the students for a successful career in the field of music therapy.

What Is Music Therapy?  

Music Therapy is the systematic application of music and other treatment methodologies by a trained music therapist to restore, maintain, or enhance the cognitive, socio-emotional, and/or physical functioning of disabled persons of all ages. To learn more about the field of music therapy and about future music therapists at OHIO, visit one of the websites below: 

• Current OHIO Students in Action (updated December 2010) 
• American Music Therapy Association 
• American Music Therapy Association -Great Lakes Region 
• Association for Ohio Music Therapists 

The Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) is a skilled musician and therapist who generally serves as a member of a team of trained medical or educational professionals, participating in the assessment, treatment, and progress evaluation of the clients served.  

The Music Therapy Curriculum 

The curriculum consists of studies in studies in music; music therapy; general studies and electives. General studies include classes in behavioral sciences, developmental, psychology, human development, and human biology and anatomy.  

Click here for a look at the Music Therapy Undergraduate Curriculum. 

Pre-Internship Music Therapy Clinical Training  

As part of their music therapy studies, students will participate in a minimum of 6 semesters of pre-internship clinical experiences. The six-month internship is a partnership involving the university, the student, and the training site. The student receives their undergraduate diploma following successful completion of the training period. Students participate in a structured training program under the supervision of a Board Certified Music Therapist. Students apply to approved sites listed by the American Music Therapy Association or to university-affiliated sites approved by the university. 

Internship

A minimum six-month internship at a facility approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), or a university-approved affiliation, is required prior to graduation. Following the senior year, each student must complete an internship. Internships are located locally and across the country. Following successful completion of the internship, the student is eligible to take the national Board Certification Examination. The entry-level professional credentials earned upon successful completion of the program and completion of the national certification examination is Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC). 

• AMTA National Roster Internship Locations  
• Ohio University Affiliated Internship Sites  

Opportunities for Undergraduate Research  

Students learn basic skills in research during their junior year and conduct a study as part of the class requirements. Students may also have opportunities participate in research conducted by faculty members.  

Professional Student Organization  

The American Music Therapy Association of Students (AMTAS) 

The Ohio University Chapter of AMTAS is the on-campus music therapy student organization. Students are expected to be members in good standing throughout their academic career and to participate in its special experiences and programs. AMTAS is the first link in the student's future professional network.  

• AMTAS - Ohio University Chapter

Please contact the program director of music therapy for additional information:  

Kamile Geist
Professor of Music Therapy
geistk@ohio.edu

Graduate Programs in Music Therapy  

Ohio University's Music Therapy Department was among the first institutions of higher learning to offer a bachelor's degree and is the only school in Ohio to offer a master's degree with a major in music therapy. Students accepted into the program receive a comprehensive education in music and music therapy skills through classroom study, supervised community placements, with opportunities to conduct research.  

FACULTY, CURRICULUM, and JOB PLACEMENT!!!  

Music Therapy has been a part of the OHIO University School of Music since 1951 and is nationally recognized for its outstanding faculty, excellent curriculum, and post graduation job placement. Our distinguished faculty are active researchers, publish in scholarly journals, and present about their research nationally and internationally. They are also excellent teachers! They bring innovative teaching strategies to the classroom drawing from over 40 years of extensive music therapy clinical experiences. Our degree programs, undergraduate and graduate, are fully accredited with the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). Students who complete the graduate program in music therapy at Ohio University receive top-level jobs including in higher education and administrative positions in clinical facilities. 

DISTINCTIVE GRADUATE PROGRAMS  

Ohio University offers the Master of Music degree for students who have an undergraduate degree in Music Therapy and have earned their MT-BC and Master's plus Equivalency Degree for Students who have an undergraduate degree in Music.

Master of Music in Music Therapy

Students with a bachelor's degree in music therapy may pursue the Master of Music in Music Therapy. The program requires a minimum of 32 semester credit hours credit hours of graduate work divided between music, music therapy and free electives in the student's area of specialization. While the Students gain advanced skills in clinical and evidenced based research practice with the specialization tailored to each student's interest. Students may choose a specialized elective track (Special Education, Child Life, Psychology, Research Methodology, or Early Childhood).Collaborative clinical and research opportunities are available based on the student's interests. An advanced clinical supervision curriculum focus is also offered.  

Master of Music in Music Therapy Curriculum 

Master/Equivalency Program  

Students may earn the Master plus equivalency in Music Therapy by completing coursework equivalent to the requirements for the Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy degree. Concurrently, students take master's level courses in music therapy according to their area of specialization. (See the Master of Music in Music Therapy.) Once the undergraduate courses are completed, the student must complete a minimum six-month internship placement in a facility approved by the AMTA or the University and successfully complete the Board Certification Examination. The student then finishes the graduate requirements, a thesis or special project, prior to the granting of the degree. 

• OU Music Therapy Undergraduate Program of Study (equivalency requirements)  
• Current OU Pre-Internship Practicum Sites  
• Current Student Internship Placements
  

Opportunities For Research, Creative Activity, and Training 

The 20 community sites affiliated with the Music Therapy Department to provide practical placements and the Athens Community Music School compose a rich field for study and creative activity. These and other unique opportunities are available to both undergraduate and graduate students under the direction and guidance of the music therapy faculty. Students may also participate in research conducted by faculty members. The University Music Therapy Clinic housed in the School of Music provides opportunities for research in the areas of autism and community-based music therapy. 

• OU Music Therapy Graduates Accept Positions  
• OU Music Therapy Highlights  

Application Procedures  

In order to be accepted into the graduate program in music therapy, an applicant must first be accepted into the Ohio University Graduate School. The Ohio University School of Music requires all graduate applicants to have an undergraduate degree in music to be considered for admittance. The following is a link to the OU graduate school where you can find application and deadline information. 

http://www.ohio.edu/graduate/ 

Students also need to complete the following in order to be considered for admittance to the Music Therapy department. 

1. Audition on your primary instrument.
2. Have an interview with a music therapy faculty. This can be scheduled on SKYPE for convenience or in person.During the interview, you will need to demonstrate skills on piano, voice, and/or guitar.
3. Provide a written essay on why you think you would be a good candidate in the graduate program. This and a current resume' should be sent to the School of Music office.
   

Graduate Assistantships  

Students holding an undergraduate degree in music therapy may apply for a music therapy graduate assistantship in the School of Music. Applicants should contact the Program Director of Music Therapy for the application process.If a student has certain teaching skills or performance skills, there are other assistantship opportunities available. Contact the office of the School of Music for further information.  

For more information about Music Therapy:

• American Music Therapy Association 
• American Music Therapy Association -Great Lakes Region 
• Association for Ohio Music Therapists 

For further program information, please contact: 

Graduate Program:
Graduate Chair
Ohio University School of Music
Robert Glidden Hall
gradmusic@ohio.edu  

Music Therapy:
Professor Kamile Geist
Program Director
Ohio University School of Music
Robert Glidden Hall
geistk@ohio.edu