The Bachelor of Music (B.M.), Music Therapy Concentration is a professional degree designed to prepare the student 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 an MT-BC, graduates may work in a variety of healthcare 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 before participating in the practicum course (MU 486A)

Music Therapy Tracks

  • A Music Therapy Track WITH applied studio lessons on your instrument/voice. In addition to the music therapy audition, this track requires a successful audition on your instrument/voice before entrance.

  • A Music Therapy Track WITHOUT applied studio lessons on your instrument/voice. This track does NOT require an audition on your instrument/voice before entrance. The music therapy audition is required.

Concentration-Level Learning Objectives

  1. Demonstrate foundational implementation of the four music therapy methods: improvisation, composition, recreative, and receptive. 
  2. 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. 
  3. Describe fundamental neuroscience as it relates to how the brain processes music, typically and atypically. 
  4. 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. 

Please review the common B.M. Program-Level Learning Objectives.

Music Auditions

Prospective CSU Students: In addition to applying to CSU through the Office of Admissions, a successful audition with CSU Music faculty is required for entrance into the B.M. concentrations. Please visit the music website for Music Audition Information.

Current CSU Students: To change your major to music, you may call the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at (970) 491-5891 or email smtd@colostate.edu. Current CSU students need to complete the audition process and be accepted to the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance before contacting the College of Liberal Arts Academic Advising Center. Please visit the music website for Music Audition Information.

Join an Ensemble: Bands, Orchestras, and Choirs are open to all CSU students. Ensemble audition excerpts and instructions are available at Ensemble Audition Information (some ensembles do not require an audition).

Music Program Fee

A music program fee is assessed with Undergraduate and graduate music and musical theatre majors and music minors, per semester. Does not apply to the following students: online degree students and summers-only master's degree students. Please visit the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for special course fees.

Effective Fall 2024

A minimum grade of C (2.000) is required in all music courses used to satisfy the requirements of the BM in Music, Music Therapy Concentration.

Freshman
AUCCCredits
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)1A3
MU 101Artist's Guide to Wellness 1
MU 117Music Theory I 3
MU 118Music Theory II 3
MU 127Aural Skills I 1
MU 128Aural Skills II 1
MU 1501Piano Class I 1
MU 153Piano Skills for Music Therapists I 2
MU 1552Music Therapy Guitar I 2
MU 156Music Therapy Guitar II 2
MU 1573Voice Skills for Music Therapists I 2
MU 241Introduction to Music Therapy 3
STAT 100Statistical Literacy (GT-MA1)1B3
Ensemble Courses (See list below) 2
Non-MU Elective 2
 Total Credits 31
Sophomore
 
MU 131Introduction to Music History and Literature (GT-AH1)3B3
MU 132Exploring World Music1C3
MU 158Voice Skills for Music Therapists II 2
MU 250Music Therapy Practice 2
MU 253Piano Skills for Music Therapists II 2
MU 255Music Therapy Guitar III 2
MU 256Music Therapy Guitar IV 2
MU 258Piano Skills for Music Therapists III 2
MU 440Music Therapy Methods--Older Adults 3
MU 486APracticum: Music Therapy 1
MU Electives 5
Biological and Physical Sciences3A3
Historical Perspectives3D3
 Total Credits 33
Junior
 
MU 257Leading Group Ensembles 3
MU 333History of Rock and Roll 3
MU 423Current Topics in Music Therapy4B2
MU 441Music Therapy Methods--Developmental 3
MU 444Music Therapy Methods--Medical 3
MU 445Music Therapy Improvisation 2
MU 486A4Practicum: Music Therapy 2
PSY 100General Psychology (GT-SS3)3C3
Non-MU Electives 1
Advanced Writing 23
Arts and Humanities3B3
Biological and Physical Sciences3A4
 Total Credits 32
Senior
 
MU 303Music Therapy Technology in Practice 3
MU 343Research Methods in Music Therapy4A3
MU 443Music Therapy Methods--Mental Health 3
MU 486APracticum: Music Therapy 1
MU 487Internship4C1-12
MU Elective 2
Electives5 0-11
 Total Credits 24
 Program Total Credits: 120

Ensemble Courses

MU 201Men's Chorus1
MU 202University Chorus1
MU 204Marching Band1
MU 205Concert Band1
MU 206Colorado State University Concert Orchestra1
MU 300Women's Chorus1
MU 302University Orchestra1
MU 304Symphonic Band1
MU 305Colorado State University Concert Choir1
MU 309Jazz Ensemble1
MU 310Jazz Combo1
MU 400Colorado State University Chamber Choir1
MU 401Opera Theater1-2
MU 402Theater/Chamber Orchestra1
MU 404Symphonic Wind Ensemble1
MU 406New Music Ensemble1
MU 407Accompanying1
MU 408Chamber Music1
1

Students with previous keyboard experience may test out of MU 150 and use the credits as electives.

2

Students with previous guitar experience may test out of MU 155 and use the credits as electives.

3

Students with previous vocal experience may test out of MU 157 and use the credits as electives.

4

Students should take MU 486A in both semesters for a total of 2 credits.

5

Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program: A minimum grade of C (2.000) is required in all music courses used to satisfy the requirements of the BM in Music, Music Therapy Concentration.
To Declare this Major: Audition and interview with School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.

Freshman
Semester 1CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 101Artist's Guide to WellnessX  1
MU 117Music Theory IX  3
MU 127Aural Skills IX  1
MU 150Piano Class IX  1
MU 155Music Therapy Guitar IX  2
MU 241Introduction to Music TherapyX  3
STAT 100Statistical Literacy (GT-MA1)X 1B3
Ensemble Course (see list on Concentration requirements tab)X  1
 Total Credits   15
Semester 2CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)X 1A3
MU 118Music Theory IIX  3
MU 128Aural Skills IIX  1
MU 153Piano Skills for Music Therapists IX  2
MU 156Music Therapy Guitar IIX  2
MU 157Voice Skills for Music Therapists IX  2
Ensemble Course (see list on Concentration requirements tab)X  1
Non-music elective X 2
 Total Credits   16
Sophomore
Semester 3CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 132Exploring World MusicX 1C3
MU 158Voice Skills for Music Therapists IIX  2
MU 250Music Therapy PracticeX  2
MU 253Piano Skills for Music Therapists IIX  2
MU 255Music Therapy Guitar IIIX  2
MU Electives X 2
Biological and Physical Sciences X3A3
 Total Credits   16
Semester 4CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 131Introduction to Music History and Literature (GT-AH1)X 3B3
MU 256Music Therapy Guitar IVX  2
MU 258Piano Skills for Music Therapists IIIX  2
MU 440Music Therapy Methods--Older AdultsX  3
MU 486APracticum: Music TherapyX  1
MU Electives X 3
Historical Perspectives X3D3
 Total Credits   17
Junior
Semester 5CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 257Leading Group EnsemblesX  3
MU 441Music Therapy Methods--DevelopmentalX  3
MU 486APracticum: Music TherapyX  1
PSY 100General Psychology (GT-SS3)X 3C3
Non-MU Elective X 1
Advanced Writing  X23
Arts and Humanities X3B3
 Total Credits   17
Semester 6CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 333History of Rock and RollX  3
MU 423Current Topics in Music TherapyX 4B2
MU 444Music Therapy Methods--MedicalX  3
MU 445Music Therapy ImprovisationX  2
MU 486APracticum: Music TherapyX  1
Biological and Physical Sciences X3A4
 Total Credits   15
Senior
Semester 7CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 303Music Therapy Technology in PracticeX  3
MU 343Research Methods in Music TherapyX 4A3
MU 443Music Therapy Methods--Mental HealthX  3
MU 486APracticum: Music TherapyX  1
MU Elective X 2
 Total Credits   12
Semester 8CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
MU 487InternshipX 4C1-12
Electives X 0-11
The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study.X   
 Total Credits   12
 Program Total Credits:   120