SRU’s Master of Music Therapy program accredited by NASM

Slippery Rock University’s Master of Music Therapy program, a program launched in the fall of 2016, is now fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music.

April 12, 2021

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — The National Association of Schools of Music has officially accredited Slippery Rock University's Master of Music Therapy program. After launching the program in the fall of 2016, SRU was recognized with a provisional status for the program by NASM before meeting the standards set forth by NASM for individual master's degree programs.

The NASM is an organization of approximately 639 schools, conservatories, colleges and universities that establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for music and music-related disciplines. SRU was initially accredited by the NASM in 1976 and the University had its last comprehensive review in 2011, but adding the Master of Music Therapy program to its designation was an important step, according to program leaders.

   HADLEY

"This accreditation means that we're meeting the highest standards that music therapists would need to look for in a program," said Susan Hadley, professor of music and director of the music therapy program. "We've had a long history of success with the music therapy undergraduate program at SRU and having this graduate program now is taking us to the next level which is really fantastic."

There are currently more than 40 students enrolled in SRU's MMT program, a two-year, 36-48 credit program that prepares graduates to have an advanced knowledge of and skills in music therapy theory, clinical practice and research. Graduates attain advanced musical and artistic skills and awareness of personal, cultural and social factors that impact the therapeutic relationship and an in-depth understanding of their professional role. SRU's MMT program is the first of its kind in the country to emphasize multicultural, social justice, insight-oriented approaches and resource-oriented approaches.

"We bring a critical lens of diversity and social justice into all of the coursework, which is one of the really unique aspects of the program," Hadley said. "This includes areas such as feminism, disability studies and queer theory, to name a few. We look at the ways in which gender, sexuality, race, disability, class and other things that position people differently in society and how that has an impact on all of our relationships and the ways in which we understand each other, especially in therapy."

In addition to its MMT, SRU is accredited under NASM for its bachelor's degree programs in music, music education, music therapy and music performance. The University's next comprehensive review by NASM is scheduled for the 2021-22 academic year.

To learn more about the NASM, visit its website. To learn more about SRU's MMT program, visit the program's website.

MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854  | justin.zackal@sru.edu