Undergraduate Degree

The Bachelor of Music, Music Therapy Concentration is a professional degree designed to prepare students to take the examination of the Certification Board for Music Therapists (MT-BC). Music therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship. As a MT-BC, graduates may work in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, assisted living centers, and in special education. Some music therapists maintain private practices or serve as consultants.

The undergraduate curriculum includes core music courses, music therapy methods and research courses, and general education courses. All students learn to demonstrate musicianship on several instruments including piano, guitar, and voice. Students engage with community members in a variety of service learning and clinical practicum placements, where they are supervised by board-certified music therapists. Students also complete a clinical internship at one of several approved sites, for a total of 1200 hours of clinical experience (as required by the American Music Therapy Association). 

The Music Therapy program at CSU is internationally recognized for its leadership in clinical training and research. The music therapy area includes the Undergraduate Music Therapy Research Academy and the interdisciplinary Brainwaves Research Laboratory, where students have opportunities for hands-on involvement in music and music therapy research. 

A background check is required prior to participating in the practicum course (MU 486A).

Program-level Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate foundational implementation of the four music therapy methods: improvisation, composition, recreative, and receptive.
• Identify a variety of diagnostic criteria for primary special needs populations, foremost including autism spectrum disorder, intellectual/developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, mood disorders, thought disorders, and chemical dependency.
• Describe fundamental neuroscience as it relates to how the brain processes music, typically and atypically.
• Use evidence-based practice concepts and ideas in terms of knowing how to access the literature base, understand the client experience, and know the limits of one’s personal and clinical expertise.

Aspirations for Student Achievement

Upon completion of this program, students are expected to exhibit American Music Therapy Association professional competencies. Students who earn a B.M. in Music Therapy from CSU demonstrate learning in music, neuroscience of music therapy, music therapy clinical practice, and music therapy research.