Music Therapy, BMT

Introduction

Music therapy is an evidence-based health profession that can support people’s emotional, cognitive, and physical health. The Pacific University Music Therapy (PUMT) program is dedicated to helping students develop a comprehensive knowledge of music therapy practice while honing their clinical musicianship, therapeutic responsiveness, and critical thinking.

Baccalaureate Degree Core

Baccalaureate Core & Other Graduation Requirements

Major Requirements: 88-94 Credits

Music Foundation: 26 Credits

*Students are required to pass a music therapy functional skills exam on voice, piano, guitar, repertoire, and improvisation skills, in addition to the music department’s piano proficiency. Students who successfully pass the respective functional skills and/or proficiency tests may have the option to waive these courses.

MUS 100 - Concert Hour 0 credit(s) (seven semesters)
MUS 182 - Vocal Techniques 1 credit(s) *
MUS 185 - Functional Piano I 1 credit(s) *
MUS 186 - Functional Piano II 1 credit(s) *
MUS 187 - Class Guitar I 1 credit(s) *
MUS 188 - Class Guitar II 1 credit(s) *
MUS 103 - Aural Skills 1 1 credit(s)
MUS 104 - Aural Skills 2 1 credit(s)
MUS 106 - Music Theory 1 4 credit(s)
MUS 203 - Aural Skills 3 1 credit(s)
MUS 204 - Aural Skills 4 1 credit(s)
MUS 206 - Music Theory 2 4 credit(s)
MUS 207 - Music Theory 3 4 credit(s)
MUS 131 - Introduction to MIDI Lab 1 credit(s)
MT 201 - Clinical Musicianship 2 credit(s)
MUS 495 - Music Capstone 2 credit(s)

Musical Contexts: 8 Credits

Choose two of the following courses:

MUS 102 - History of Jazz and Rock 4 credit(s)
MUS 220W - Music Survey I 4 credit(s)
MUS 221 - Music Survey II 4 credit(s)
MUS 241 - Introduction to World Music 4 credit(s)
OR ANTH 241 - Introduction to World Music 4 credit(s)
Other music or music history coursework with advisor approval

Large Ensembles: 0-6 Credits

Large ensemble appropriate to the student’s primary instrument or voice for 6 semesters. May be taken for 0 or 1 credit. Select from the list, below:

MUSE 153 - Pacific Univ. Concert Choir 0-1 credit(s)
MUSE 353 - Advanced Concert Choir 0-1 credit(s)
MUSE 158 - Orchestra 0-1 credit(s)
MUSE 358 - Advanced Philharmonic Orchestra 0-1 credit(s)
MUSE 163 - Chamber Singers 0-1 credit(s)
MUSE 363 - Advanced Chamber Singers 0-1 credit(s)
MUSE 165 - Symphonic Band 0-1 credit(s)
MUSE 365 - Advanced Symphonic Band 0-1 credit(s)

Applied Music: 6 Credits

Private instruction with a Pacific University instructor for 6 semesters. At least four semesters must be on the student’s primary instrument, while the other two credits may be taken on a clinical instrument.

MUSL 171 - Applied Music: 1st Sem Private Lessons 0.5-1 credit(s)
MUSL 172 - Applied Music: 2nd Sem Private Lessons 0.5-1 credit(s)
MUSL 173 - Clinical Music: 1st Sem Private Lessons 0.50 - 1 credit(s)
MUSL 174 - Clinical Music: 2nd Sem Private Lessons 0.50 - 1 credit(s)
MUSL 271 - Applied Music: 3rd Sem Private Lessons 0.5-1 credit(s)
MUSL 272 - Applied Music: 4th Sem Private Lessons 0.5-1 credit(s)
MUSL 371 - Applied Music: 5th Sem Private Lessons 0.5-1 credit(s)
MUSL 372 - Applied Music: 6th Sem Private Lessons 0.5-1 credit(s)
MUSL 471 - Applied Music: 7th Sem Private Lessons 0.5-1 credit(s)
MUSL 472 - Applied Music: 8th Sem Private Lessons 0.5-1 credit(s)

Music Electives: 4 Credits

In consultation with their advisor, students will choose 4 credits of music electives that will reinforce their clinical or functional musicianship. These may include intermediate or advanced music technology coursework, small ensembles, or other clinically-relevant musicianship skills. Below are some optional suggestions:

MUS 189 - Class Ukulele 1 credit(s)
MUS 196 - Development of Piano Skills 1 credit(s)
MUS 280 - Accompanying 1 credit(s)
MUSE 151 - Jazz Band 0-1 credit(s)
MUSE 352 - Advanced Jazz Band 0-1 credit(s)

Music Therapy Courses: 22 Credits

MT 190 - Introduction to Music Therapy 2 credit(s)
MT 290 - Clinical Processes in Music Therapy 1 2 credit(s)
MT 390 - Clinical Processes in Music Therapy 2 2 credit(s)
MT 391 - Theory & Practice With Children 2 credit(s)
MT 392 - Theory & Practice With Adults 2 credit(s)
MT 491 - Psychology of Music 2 credit(s)
MT 493W - Research in Music Therapy 4 credit(s)
MT 496 - Improv & Songwriting for Music Therapy 2 credit(s)
MT 294 - Music Therapy Practicum 1 1 credit(s)
MT 296 - Music Therapy Practicum 2 1 credit(s)
MT 394 - Music Therapy Practicum 3 1 credit(s)
MT 396 - Music Therapy Practicum 4 1 credit(s)

Additional Competency Requirements: 20 Credits

*These competency requirements also fulfill key core requirements.

PSY 211 - Abnormal Psychology 4 credit(s)
SOCWK 325 - Counseling Theories and Intervention 4 credit(s)
PHIL 307 - Ethics, Medicine & Health Care 4 credit(s) *
OR PHIL 202 - Ethics and Society 4 credit(s)*
SOC 301 - Social Statistics 4 credit(s) *
OR MATH 207 - General Elementary Statistics 4 credit(s)*
HBIO 110 - Human Biology 4 credit(s) *
OR HBIO 230 - Human Anatomy & Physiology I 4 credit(s)

Fifth-Year Music Therapy Internship: 2 Credits

MT 499 - Clinical Internship 2 credit(s)

Program Details

Program Length

Four years for a complete BMT degree coursework before beginning internship. Two and a half years for students transferring in with an AAOT degree before beginning internship. Program length may vary depending upon the student’s course load and academic progress.

Academic Standing/Grading Policy

For practicum, students are required to earn a minimum grade of a B- to progress onto the next practicum level. Students who receive more than one C in music therapy courses may be put on academic probation and may need to re-enroll in a course. Students must earn a C or better in all music therapy classes in order to be eligible for internship. Students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 for all music courses. A student who repeatedly receives low grades or written concerns from supervisors on their Practicum Evaluations is also a cause for concern and will be invited to have a discussion with music therapy faculty to discuss the student’s “fit” as a music therapy major.

Program Learning Outcomes

The music therapy curriculum provides a comprehensive overview of music therapy clinical practice and is based on the Education and Clinical Training standards set forth by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). Successful graduates of the MT program are eligible to sit for the Certification Board for Music Therapy (CBMT) national board-certification exam and to apply for licensure to practice music therapy in Oregon. The academic curriculum meets the standards of and is approved by AMTA and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Furthermore, the curriculum centers around the following Program Student Learning Outcomes which seeks to prepare students:

To develop high quality functional musicianship in a wide variety of musical styles and genres
To become proficient in the clinical processes of music therapy practice from several theoretical and philosophical approaches leading to best practice
To develop responsive and clinically-appropriate leadership skills that serve diverse communities and environments
To use critical analysis in applying the best available research and evidence to the clinical environment
To practice ethical and conscientious behaviors consistent with professional clinical practice