Music Therapy Master's Degree

The Ohio University Music Therapy program provides an engaging student-centered experience by integrating a community-based framework to empower each student to develop effective and ethical music therapy practice.

The Master of Music degree in music therapy provides an opportunity to pursue advanced studies in research, teaching, clinical practice, and administrative skills. The curriculum is designed to continue to provide depth and breadth beyond entry-level music therapy competency, including building musicality and providing advanced level of current techniques in the application of music in a specialized area of study (e.g. psychology, family studies, speech and language, education, research, etc.).

Ohio University offers the following options:

• Master of Music in music therapy degree (34 credits) for students who have an undergraduate degree in music therapy and who have earned the MT-BC credential. 
• Master of Music degree plus Music Therapy Equivalency for students who have an undergraduate degree in music, but not music therapy. Undergraduate credits and other requirements needed will be reviewed on an individual basis with Director of Music Therapy.

Started in 1951, Ohio University's Music Therapy Department is among the first institutions of higher learning to offer a bachelor's degree in music therapy. The graduate program in music therapy was started in 1987 and continues today as a vibrant learning community for students. Students and alumni are compassionate, energized, creative, and critically thinking individuals who strive to make meaningful change in their communities through music.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements include:

• A bachelor’s degree in music therapy. If you have a bachelor's degree in music and are interested in the Master’s in Music/ Music Therapy Equivalency, contact Andrew Holbrook at holbrooka@ohio.edu to determine next steps.
• A face-to-face interview with the music therapy faculty. This can be scheduled through video conference for convenience or in person by emailing Andrew Holbrook at holbrooka@ohio.edu.
• A brief narrative (use .Word or .pdf format) about music background and experience, with an explanation demonstrating why prospective student is a strong candidate for the Ohio University music therapy graduate program.
• Three letters of recommendation
• A writing sample: A brief narrative about your music background and experience, with an explanation demonstrating why you're a strong candidate for the Ohio University music therapy graduate program.
• Current resume
• One video link demonstrating skills on piano, voice, and guitar. These skills can also be demonstrated during an in-person interview if needed. Video links should be unlisted YouTube links, shareable Google Drive links, or other non-public video links that are easily accessible.
  • Sing one song from any genre, accompanying self on piano
  • Sing a song of a different genre accompanying self on guitar
  • Optional - Applicants may also include an original composition/song using any instrumentation or technology or share a piece on primary instrument studied in their undergraduate program.
• English Proficiency Requirement: Please review information about Ohio University's minimum English Language Proficiency requirements for graduate study. This program requires a TOEFL score of 80+.

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School of Music Graduate Auditions & Admissions

International Students

This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.

Music Therapy Courses & Curriculum

View Courses & Requirements in the Official Academic Catalog

The program consists of 34 semester credit hours divided between music, music therapy, and free electives in the student’s area of specialization. The curriculum is flexible and is designed to enable the student to pursue interests in teaching/research, clinical practice and/or administration. Students with an undergraduate degree in music, other than music therapy, may be admitted to the MM program and are allowed to take undergraduate courses (equivalency courses) in order to gain competency to take the national board certification exam to become a board certified music therapist (MT-BC). Concurrently, students take master’s level courses in the Master of Music program except for advanced clinical courses MUS 5920 and Thesis (MUS 6950) or Clinical/Professional Project (MUS 6790).

The curriculum provides advanced specialization tracks to include research, teaching, management and program development, and advanced clinical specialization.

Music Therapy Master of Music

Students who are accepted into this program will engage in graduate-level music therapy coursework (34 credits) with more depth and focus on advanced professional competencies. Rotating seminar courses with revolving topics, along with other curriculum content include:

• Ethics in Music Therapy
• Research/Thesis/Clinical Project in student’s area of choice
• Advanced Music Therapy Clinical Supervision
• Advanced Music Therapy Clinical Practicum
• Clinical Musicianship and Clinical Improvisation
• Theoretical and philosophical development in music therapy

In addition to core graduate coursework, students are provided an opportunity to choose a learning track to deepen and expand their own clinical and professional interests through customizable elective courses. Non-music elective credits may count toward graduate certificates. Graduate certificates of interest may include, but are not limited to:

• Graduate Certificate in Arts in Health
• Community Dance Certificate
• Graduate Global Health Certificate
• Graduate Gerontology Certificate
• Veterans Health Certificate

Master of Music Degree Plus Music Therapy Equivalency Program

Students who have an undergraduate music degree in something other than music therapy:

• Complete required music therapy coursework and supervised clinical practicum placements spanning four semesters culminating in a 6-month clinical internship.
• After meeting necessary professional competencies and obtaining a total minimum of 1200 clinical hours, students are eligible to sit for the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) board certification examination.       

Students who obtain their MT-BC credential by successfully passing the CBMT exam:

• Begin graduate level music therapy coursework.
• Remaining graduate classes explore deeper meanings and themes in music therapy through a thesis or clinical project, as well as advanced clinical training in a community-based environment.