Major in Music (B.M.), Music Therapy Concentration

The Music Therapy Concentration is 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 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).

Music Audition

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. in Music. Please visit Music Audition Information for more information.

Music Program Fee

A music program fee is assessed with undergraduate and graduate music majors and minors, per semester. The fee does not apply to the following students: online degree students, summers-only master's degree students, music therapy students in an internship off-campus, music education students who are student teaching off-campus, and music minors who are not actively enrolled in any lessons or ensembles. Please visit the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for special course fees.

Effective Fall 2021

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
		AUCC	Credits
CO 150	College Composition (GT-CO2)	1A	3
MU 117	Music Theory I		3
MU 118	Music Theory II		3
MU 127	Aural Skills I		1
MU 128	Aural Skills II		1
MU 131	Introduction to Music History and Literature (GT-AH1)	3B	3
MU 150¹	Piano Class I		1
MU 153	Piano Skills for Music Therapists I		2
MU 157²	Voice Skills for Music Therapists I		2
MU 158	Voice Skills for Music Therapists II		2
MU 241	Introduction to Music Therapy		3
PSY 100	General Psychology (GT-SS3)	3C	3
STAT 100	Statistical Literacy (GT-MA1)	1B	3
Ensemble Courses (See list below)			2
	Total Credits		32
Sophomore

MU 132	Exploring World Music	3E	3
MU 155³	Music Therapy Guitar I		2
MU 156	Music Therapy Guitar II		2
MU 250	Music Therapy Practice		3
MU 253	Piano Skills for Music Therapists II		2
MU 258	Piano Skills for Music Therapists III		2
MU 440	Music Therapy Methods I		3
MU 486A	Practicum: Music Therapy		1
Biological and Physical Sciences		3A	7
Historical Perspectives		3D	3
MU Electives			3
	Total Credits		31
Junior

MU 255	Music Therapy Guitar III		2
MU 256	Music Therapy Guitar IV		2
MU 257	Leading Group Ensembles		3
MU 333	History of Rock and Roll		3
MU 441	Music Therapy Methods II		3
MU 443	Music Therapy Methods III		3
MU 486A⁴	Practicum: Music Therapy		2
Advanced Writing		2	3
MU Electives			5
Non-MU Electives			3
	Total Credits		29
Senior

MU 303	Music Therapy Technology in Practice		3
MU 343	Research Methods in Music Therapy	4A	3
MU 423	Current Topics in Music Therapy	4B	2
MU 444	Music Therapy Methods IV		3
MU 486A	Practicum: Music Therapy		1
MU 487	Music Therapy Internship	4C	10
Arts and Humanities		3B	3
MU Elective			1
Non-MU Elective			2
	Total Credits		28
	Program Total Credits:		120

Ensemble Courses

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
MU 201	Men's Chorus	1
MU 202	University Chorus	1
MU 204	Marching Band	1
MU 205	Concert Band	1
MU 206	Colorado State University Concert Orchestra	1
MU 300	Women's Chorus	1
MU 302	University Orchestra	1
MU 304	Symphonic Band	1
MU 305	Colorado State University Concert Choir	1
MU 309	Jazz Ensemble	1
MU 310	Jazz Combo	1
MU 400	Colorado State University Chamber Choir	1
MU 401	Opera Theater	1-2
MU 402	Theater/Chamber Orchestra	1
MU 404	Symphonic Wind Ensemble	1
MU 406	New Music Ensemble	1
MU 407	Accompanying	1
MU 408	Chamber Music	1

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

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

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

⁴

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

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 1		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 117	Music Theory I	X			3
MU 127	Aural Skills I	X			1
MU 131	Introduction to Music History and Literature (GT-AH1)			3B	3
MU 150	Piano Class I	X			1
MU 157	Voice Skills for Music Therapists I	X			2
MU 241	Introduction to Music Therapy	X			3
STAT 100	Statistical Literacy (GT-MA1)	X		1B	3
Ensemble Course (see list on Concentration requirements tab)					1
	Total Credits				17
Semester 2		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
CO 150	College Composition (GT-CO2)		X	1A	3
MU 118	Music Theory II	X			3
MU 128	Aural Skills II	X			1
MU 153	Piano Skills for Music Therapists I	X			2
MU 158	Voice Skills for Music Therapists II	X			2
PSY 100	General Psychology (GT-SS3)			3C	3
Ensemble Course (see list on Concentration requirements tab)					1
AUCC 1B (Quantitative Reasoning) and CO 150 must be completed by the end of Semester 2.		X
	Total Credits				15
*Sophomore*
Semester 3		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 132	Exploring World Music		X	3E	3
MU 155	Music Therapy Guitar I	X			2
MU 250	Music Therapy Practice	X			3
MU 253	Piano Skills for Music Therapists II	X			2
Biological and Physical Sciences				3A	4
MU Electives					2
	Total Credits				16
Semester 4		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 156	Music Therapy Guitar II	X			2
MU 258	Piano Skills for Music Therapists III	X			2
MU 440	Music Therapy Methods I	X			3
MU 486A	Practicum: Music Therapy	X			1
Biological and Physical Sciences				3A	3
Historical Perspectives				3D	3
MU Electives					1
	Total Credits				15
*Junior*
Semester 5		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 255	Music Therapy Guitar III	X			2
MU 486A	Practicum: Music Therapy	X			1
Advanced Writing		X		2	3
MU Electives					5
Non-MU Elective					3
	Total Credits				14
Semester 6		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 256	Music Therapy Guitar IV	X			2
MU 257	Leading Group Ensembles	X			3
MU 333	History of Rock and Roll	X			3
MU 441	Music Therapy Methods II	X			3
MU 443	Music Therapy Methods III	X			3
MU 486A	Practicum: Music Therapy	X			1
	Total Credits				15
*Senior*
Semester 7		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 303	Music Therapy Technology in Practice	X			3
MU 444	Music Therapy Methods IV	X			3
MU 486A	Practicum: Music Therapy	X			1
Arts and Humanities				3B	3
MU Elective					1
Non-MU Elective					2
	Total Credits				13
Semester 8		Critical	Recommended	AUCC	Credits
MU 343	Research Methods in Music Therapy	X		4A	3
MU 423	Current Topics in Music Therapy	X		4B	2
MU 487	Music Therapy Internship	X		4C	10
The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study.		X
	Total Credits				15
	Program Total Credits:				120