The Bachelor of Music, 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 a 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 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.
Music Audition
In addition to applying to CSU through the Office of Admissions, students applying to the B.M., Music Therapy Concentration are required to interview and audition with members of the Music Therapy faculty. Students may elect to audition for an applied studio (i.e., flute, voice, etc.) or to audition for therapy only ("No Studio Track"). Students auditioning for an applied studio must also complete the audition process for their instrument.
Please visit the music website for Music Audition 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 2022
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 132 | Exploring World Music | 1C | 3 |
MU 1501 | Piano Class I | 1 | |
MU 153 | Piano Skills for Music Therapists I | 2 | |
MU 1552 | Music Therapy Guitar I | 2 | |
MU 156 | Music Therapy Guitar II | 2 | |
MU 1573 | Voice Skills for Music Therapists I | 2 | |
MU 241 | Introduction to Music Therapy | 3 | |
STAT 100 | Statistical Literacy (GT-MA1) | 1B | 3 |
Ensemble Courses (See list below) | 2 | ||
Total Credits | 31 | ||
Sophomore | |||
MU 131 | Introduction to Music History and Literature (GT-AH1) | 3B | 3 |
MU 158 | Voice Skills for Music Therapists II | 2 | |
MU 250 | Music Therapy Practice | 2 | |
MU 253 | Piano Skills for Music Therapists II | 2 | |
MU 255 | Music Therapy Guitar III | 2 | |
MU 256 | Music Therapy Guitar IV | 2 | |
MU 258 | Piano Skills for Music Therapists III | 2 | |
MU 440 | Music Therapy Methods--Older Adults | 3 | |
MU 486A | Practicum: Music Therapy | 1 | |
MU Electives | 6 | ||
Biological and Physical Sciences | 3A | 3 | |
Historical Perspectives | 3D | 3 | |
Total Credits | 31 | ||
Junior | |||
MU 257 | Leading Group Ensembles | 3 | |
MU 333 | History of Rock and Roll | 3 | |
MU 423 | Current Topics in Music Therapy | 4B | 2 |
MU 441 | Music Therapy Methods--Developmental | 3 | |
MU 443 | Music Therapy Methods--Mental Health | 3 | |
MU 486A4 | Practicum: Music Therapy | 2 | |
PSY 100 | General Psychology (GT-SS3) | 3C | 3 |
Non-MU Electives | 3 | ||
Advanced Writing | 2 | 3 | |
Biological and Physical Sciences | 3A | 4 | |
Total Credits | 29 | ||
Senior | |||
MU 303 | Music Therapy Technology in Practice | 3 | |
MU 343 | Research Methods in Music Therapy | 4A | 3 |
MU 444 | Music Therapy Methods--Medical | 3 | |
MU 486A | Practicum: Music Therapy | 1 | |
MU 487 | Internship | 4C | 1-12 |
MU Elective | 4 | ||
Non-MU Elective | 2 | ||
Arts and Humanities | 3B | 3 | |
Total Credits | 29 | ||
Program Total Credits: | 120 |
Ensemble Courses
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 |
- 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.
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 132 | Exploring World Music | X | 1C | 3 | |
MU 150 | Piano Class I | X | 1 | ||
MU 155 | Music Therapy Guitar 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) | X | 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 156 | Music Therapy Guitar II | X | 2 | ||
MU 157 | Voice Skills for Music Therapists I | X | 2 | ||
Ensemble Course (see list on Concentration requirements tab) | X | 1 | |||
AUCC 1B (Quantitative Reasoning) and CO 150 must be completed by the end of Semester 2. | X | ||||
Total Credits | 14 | ||||
Sophomore | |||||
Semester 3 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
MU 158 | Voice Skills for Music Therapists II | X | 2 | ||
MU 250 | Music Therapy Practice | X | 2 | ||
MU 253 | Piano Skills for Music Therapists II | X | 2 | ||
MU 255 | Music Therapy Guitar III | X | 2 | ||
MU Electives | X | 3 | |||
Biological and Physical Sciences | X | 3A | 3 | ||
Total Credits | 14 | ||||
Semester 4 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
MU 131 | Introduction to Music History and Literature (GT-AH1) | X | 3B | 3 | |
MU 256 | Music Therapy Guitar IV | X | 2 | ||
MU 258 | Piano Skills for Music Therapists III | X | 2 | ||
MU 440 | Music Therapy Methods--Older Adults | X | 3 | ||
MU 486A | Practicum: Music Therapy | X | 1 | ||
MU Electives | X | 3 | |||
Historical Perspectives | X | 3D | 3 | ||
Total Credits | 17 | ||||
Junior | |||||
Semester 5 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
MU 257 | Leading Group Ensembles | X | 3 | ||
MU 441 | Music Therapy Methods--Developmental | X | 3 | ||
MU 486A | Practicum: Music Therapy | X | 1 | ||
PSY 100 | General Psychology (GT-SS3) | X | 3C | 3 | |
Non-MU Elective | X | 3 | |||
Total Credits | 13 | ||||
Semester 6 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
MU 333 | History of Rock and Roll | X | 3 | ||
MU 423 | Current Topics in Music Therapy | X | 4B | 2 | |
MU 443 | Music Therapy Methods--Mental Health | X | 3 | ||
MU 486A | Practicum: Music Therapy | X | 1 | ||
Advanced Writing | X | 2 | 3 | ||
Biological and Physical Sciences | X | 3A | 4 | ||
Total Credits | 16 | ||||
Senior | |||||
Semester 7 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
MU 303 | Music Therapy Technology in Practice | X | 3 | ||
MU 343 | Research Methods in Music Therapy | X | 4A | 3 | |
MU 444 | Music Therapy Methods--Medical | X | 3 | ||
MU 486A | Practicum: Music Therapy | X | 1 | ||
MU Elective | X | 4 | |||
Total Credits | 14 | ||||
Semester 8 | Critical | Recommended | AUCC | Credits | |
MU 487 | Internship | X | 4C | 1-12 | |
Non-MU Elective | X | 2 | |||
Arts and Humanities | X | 3B | 3 | ||
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 |