Office in University Center for the Arts, Room 120
(970) 491-5529
music.colostate.edu
The Ph.D. in Music Therapy emphasizes research and scholarship, as appropriate for the music therapist who aspires to a career in research, college-level teaching, or advanced clinical practice. In this program, you will engage in coursework that will advance your scholarship and help you to reach your professional goals. You will be involved in groundbreaking research, with the opportunity to develop original research in an interest area.
This program is offered on campus and as a distance learning program.
The degree is focused on three core areas:
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Research Core: You will engage in coursework and collaborative research projects focused on advancing research skills. You will also have the opportunity to pursue your own original research.
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Music Therapy Clinical Practice Core: You will further your understanding of advanced clinical competencies, with an emphasis in evidence-based practices.
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Academic Core: To prepare for a future as an educator or supervisor in music therapy, you will engage in coursework focused on teaching and learning in higher education.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
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Identify theoretical constructs from music therapy and related fields that underlie various clinical practices.
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Articulate and defend a personal philosophy, approach, and/or theory to music therapy, through a deeper understanding of music therapy.
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Conduct research according to ethical principles in a variety of methodologies to sufficiently address meaningful research questions in music therapy.
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Use various teaching methods to explain the breadth and depth of knowledge of clinical practice in music therapy.
Credit Requirements
The Ph.D. in Music Therapy is comprised of 72 credits, of which 30 credits may be accepted from a prior master's degree. Program credits include:
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12-15 credits in each core area (research, clinical practice, academic) that are selected to prepare the student for future work in an academic, research, or advanced clinical position.
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15 directed electives, which are selected with the graduate committee to best meet the student’s needs and career goals. Subjects of study may include, but are not limited to, neuroscience, music therapy methods, research methods, statistics, teaching methods, and developmental science.
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The program culminates with a final exam and the completion of a substantial piece of original research.
Visit our website for information about research opportunities, eligibility, and teaching assistantships.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
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
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Core | ||
| MU 544 | Advanced Techniques-Neuroscience-Informed MT | 3 |
| MU 545 | Composition and Improvisation--Music Therapy | 3 |
| MU 647 | Historical Foundations of Music Therapy | 3 |
| MU 648 | Neuroscience/Music Foundations in Therapy | 3 |
| MU 649 | Advanced Practice in Music Therapy | 3 |
| Research Core | ||
| MU 543 | Intro to Applied Music Research Methods | 3 |
| MU 743 | Interpretivist Research in Music Therapy | 3 |
| MU 744 | Music Therapy Research to Practice | 3 |
| MU 798 | Music Therapy Dissertation Preparation | 3 |
| Electives (to be chosen in consultation with doctoral advisor) | 6 | |
EDCO 5XX Any EDCO course at the 500-level (excluding courses numbered 582-599) | ||
EDCO 6XX Any EDCO course at the 600-level (excluding courses numbered 682-699) | ||
EDRM 5XX Any EDUC course at the 500-level (excluding courses numbered 582-599) | ||
EDRM 6XX Any EDUC course at the 600-level (excluding courses numbered 682-699) | ||
HDFS 3XX Any HDFS course at the 300-level (excluding courses numbered 382-399) | ||
HDFS 4XX Any HDFS course at the 400-level (excluding courses numbered 482-499) | ||
HDFS 5XX Any HDFS course at the 500-level (excluding courses numbered 582-599) | ||
MU 3XX Any MU course at the 300-level (excluding courses numbered 382-399) | ||
MU 4XX Any MU course at the 400-level (excluding courses numbered 482-499) | ||
MU 5XX Any MU course at the 500-level (excluding courses numbered 582-599) | ||
PSY 3XX Any PSY course at the 300-level (excluding courses numbered 382-399) | ||
PSY 4XX Any PSY course at the 400-level (excluding courses numbered 482-499) | ||
PSY 5XX Any PSY course at the 500-level (excluding courses numbered 582-599) | ||
PSY 6XX Any PSY course at the 600-level (excluding courses numbered 682-699) | ||
| Academic Core | ||
| EDAE 620 | Processes and Methods | 3 |
| or EDUC 651 | Multicultural and Special Populations | |
| EDAE 639 | Instructional Design | 3 |
| MU 684 | Supervised College Teaching | 3 |
| MU 792 | Seminar in Music Therapy 1 | 3 |
| Dissertation | ||
| MU 799 | Dissertation 2 | 15 |
| Electives (to be chosen in consultation with doctoral advisor) 3 | 0-12 | |
| Program Total Credits: | 72 | |
A minimum of 72 credits are required to complete this program.
- 1
MU 792 may be taken more than once for elective credits.
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Variable credits per semester may be taken in order to add up to 15 total credits.
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Student may apply an earned Master’s degree for up to 30 credits toward the PhD requirements.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |