woman teaching a child music

Train to be a music therapist and help others

Working in a rapidly-expanding field of music

Music Therapy (Master of Music Therapy)

Offered by: Music Department

Are you ready to take your music therapy training to the next level? Slippery Rock University's Master of Music Therapy program is designed to prepare advanced-level professional music therapists in a nationally accredited program to work in the rapidly-expanding field of music therapy by providing students with the opportunity to expand the breadth and depth of their knowledge and skills in music therapy. 

Description

Slippery Rock University’s Master of Music Therapy program is designed to prepare advanced-level professional music therapists in a nationally accredited program to work in the rapidly-expanding field of music therapy by providing students with the opportunity to expand the breadth and depth of their knowledge and skills in music therapy.

The Master of Music Therapy program with a counseling concentration will prepare graduates to have:

  • Advanced knowledge of, and skills in, music therapy theory, research, and clinical practice
  • Advanced musical and artistic skills for music therapy
  • Awareness of personal, cultural, and social factors that impact the therapeutic relationship
  • An in-depth understanding of the professional role of the music therapist

Highlights

Slippery Rock University's Master of Music Therapy offers:

  • A 36-48 credit hour program with a two-year rotating curriculum.
  • Students completing the 48 credit MMT are eligible to complete the Clinical Mental Health Counseling endorsement program at SRU which will take an additional year.  Completion of the endorsement program will make students eligible to apply for PA licensure. Each state has different requirements for counseling licensure. Students will be responsible to contact their state licensing board for their state requirements. Completion of the coursework does not guarantee licensure in each state.
  • A flexible and convenient hybrid format (interactive synchronous and asynchronous online classes and face-to-face intensives either attended in-person or virtually) ideal for working professionals and second career musicians.
  • Unique advanced music therapy training with a strong emphasis on culture, diversity, ethics, and social justice throughout the curriculum.
  • Courses taught by distinguished internationally recognized faculty.
  • SRU's Master of Music Therapy is approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Requirements and Professional Licensure Certification

Attention: To apply for admission, please use the following link to apply now.

  • $25 Application Fee
  • Resume
  • Personal Statement (professional goals) 
  • A video-recording of three songs accompanied on piano, and three songs accompanied on guitar.  On each instrument, there must be one song appropriate for children, one for adolescents or adults, and one for older adults. Video-recording may be submitted by YouTube links, Google Drive or  dropbox.com and links emailed to  graduate.admissions@sru.edu
  • A synchronous video interview with the MMT program director. Interviews will be scheduled after all other application materials have been filed
  • Official Transcripts- Undergraduate/Graduate (Official transcripts must be sent by institution via electronic transcript e-share to  graduate.admissions@sru.edu or via mail- faxed copies will not be considered official) 
  • SRU current/Alumni/former students click  here to order your official SRU final transcript and have it sent to  graduate.admissions@sru.edu
  • Applicants to the Master of Music Therapy program must have completed a bachelor's degree in music therapy (with a GPA of 3.00 of higher), including an internship in an approved program, or have completed a music therapy equivalency program, including completion of a music therapy internship
  • Applicants without an undergraduate degree in music therapy or its equivalence can complete the necessary coursework, on-campus or through distance learning, and internship requirements for music therapy board certification through SRU prior to the MMT coursework

Applicants who do not meet all of the criteria, but who have demonstrated effectiveness in the field, may be offered conditional admission upon recommendation of the MMT program director and ap­proval by the Director of Graduate Admissions. Admission to the program will not require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or other entrance exam, which will facilitate enrollment by adult learners.

*If you are requesting review of your graduate transcripts for transfer of credit, please complete the  transfer of credit form and submit to the Office of Graduate Admissions with official graduate transcripts. Please review SRU's  transfer of credit policy.

PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE CERTIFICATION:

SRU’s Music Therapy program is approved by the American Music Therapy Association and the National Association of Schools of Music. Pennsylvania does not require state licensing; however, some states do require licensing for music therapists. If you are interested in practicing in another state, please contact the licensing board in that state.

Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Hadley's newest book is Experiencing Race as a Music Therapist: Personal Narratives (Barcelona, 2013), for which she was awarded the 2016 Slippery Rock University President's Award for Excellence in Scholarly and Creative Achievement. Furthermore, Dr. Hadley was the 2015 faculty awardee of SRU's Women of Distinction award. The nomination stated: "Dr. Hadley is a cornerstone of the music department and an accomplished scholar who challenges and supports students simultaneously. As a music therapy clinician and professor, she compassionately inspires growth and insight within the people around her. Her work in critical race studies, disability studies and feminist studies reflect her commitment to diversity and her stand against discrimination at every level. Indefatigable, she makes students' concerns and well-being a top priority and has changed their lives in often profound ways."