1. What is music therapy?
2. What is the curriculum like?
3. Where do music therapy students get practical experience?
4. What is music therapy equivalency?
5. What do music therapists do?
6. Who becomes a music therapist?

1. What is music therapy?

Music Therapy is an established healthcare profession that uses music to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages. Music therapy improves the quality of life for persons who are well and meets the needs of children and adults with disabilities or illnesses. Music therapy interventions can be designed to:

Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in a wide variety of healthcare and educational settings. (American Music Therapy Association, 2005)

Music Therapy is a field for those who want to combine a love of music with a desire to work in a helping profession. The Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy is a competency-based degree, designed to produce skilled, entry-level music therapists who will meet the requirements for licensure set by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. Our program combines classroom study with clinical training; giving students supervised practical experience in a variety of community settings.

2. What is the curriculum like?

The curriculum is approved by the American Music Therapy Association, and includes applied lessons, courses in music theory and history, guitar, keyboard skills, voice, participation in ensembles, and courses in music therapy and related fields like psychology, and education. In addition to course work, students complete supervised clinical practica in the community, interacting with clients of all ages. Successful completion of this curriculum leads to the Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy degree.

Click here for sample four-year plan of courses.
Click here for biennial rotation of courses at UNDMusic.org.

3. Where do music therapy students get practical experience?

Music therapy students are required to engage in off-campus experiences to apply the skills and knowledge gained in the classroom. This is called clinical practicum. Students are supervised by a board certified music therapist, and also have the opportunity to work with other professionals. Please visit our Podcast page for audio examples from our students on what their experiences have been like.

Altru Hospital
- Psychiatric Unit
- Pediatric Outpatient

Elementary Schools
- J. Nelson Kelly Elementary
- Phoenix Elementary
- Ben Franklin Elementary
- Century Elementary
- Lake Aggasiz Elementary
- Lewis and Clark Elementary

Middle and High Schools
- South Middle
- Valley Middle
- Central High
- Red River High

Valley Memorial Care - Geriatric setting

Ruth Meiers Adolescent Center

4. What is music therapy equivalency?

Individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree in an area other than music therapy may complete the degree equivalency program in music therapy, in order to sit for the examination to become a board-certified music therapist. Under this program, the student completes only the required coursework without earning a second degree.

5. What do music therapists do?

Music therapists assess emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities, and cognitive skills through musical responses; design music sessions for individuals and groups based on client needs using music improvisation, receptive music listening, song writing, lyric discussion, music and imagery, music performance, and learning through music; participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning, ongoing evaluation, and follow up. (American Music Therapy Association, 2005).

6. Who becomes a music therapist?

Personal qualifications of a music therapist include a genuine interest in people and a desire to help others. The essence of music therapy practice involves establishing caring and professional relationships with people of all ages and abilities. Empathy, patience, creativity, imagination, an openness to new ideas, and understanding of oneself are also important attributes. Because music therapists are musicians as well as therapists, a background in and love of music are also essential. (American Music Therapy Association, 2005)

For further information about the UND Music Therapy Program, please contact Therese Costes, Director of Music Therapy.