ASU Offers a BMus in Music Therapy
Arizona State University is the only university in Arizona to offer a board-certified music therapy program.
Music therapy is an emerging field that utilizes music to aid recovery from mental illness and other conditions such as pain and disability. Students studying this field combine their talents in voice, piano and guitar with knowledge of psychology and human behavior to create therapeutic solutions.
Music has an inbuilt effect on humans; our cerebellum processes rhythm, frontal lobes decode emotions and nucleus accumbens produces strong physical signs of pleasure when people hear powerful music.
ASU’s BMus program in music therapy is the most rigorous in the state, preparing graduates for work as professional therapists across a range of health care settings. Upon earning their degree, graduates can take the certification exam to become registered music therapists both in the United States and Canada.
During their internship, they assist a variety of clients, such as those suffering from psychiatric disorders or brain injuries; children, adolescents and adults with physical and developmental disabilities. Furthermore, they take part in an innovative clinical study led by a Phoenix Symphony musician which uses music to measure stress levels in long-term care facilities.
Graduates of this program are eligible to sit for a national exam that grants them certification from the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT), enabling them to apply for jobs as licensed music therapists.
The first year of this three-year program, Equivalency, requires completion of three prerequisite courses: ASU 200, MUS 202 and MUS 222. You must take these courses before beginning your internship unless prior arrangements have been made.
After completing the Equivalency program, you may choose to continue on with a Master of Music Therapy (MMT) degree program which requires two additional years of study. This option is often taken by graduate students who are already board-certified or eligible in another profession and wish to specialize in music therapy.
ASU’s BMus program has been accredited by the National Association for Music Therapy, the only accreditation body that evaluates and certifies all music therapy programs in North America and Canada. This three-year degree requires full time academic work as well as clinical practice.
Students who complete the Equivalency and MMT program may find employment in a range of settings such as hospitals, medical clinics, schools, hospice units, residential facilities or private practice. These professionals will collaborate with patients, family members and caregivers to enhance quality of life for everyone involved.
As a therapist, you draw upon your musical expertise and deep understanding of psychology to support people on their healing journeys. With these combined talents, you can craft effective and captivating music-based interventions.
You can pursue a doctorate in music therapy to conduct research and discover new applications of the arts for healing. This profession would be ideal for creative, socially responsible students who wish to make an impact on the world.
Music therapy is on the rise, offering more jobs than ever before. More and more individuals require this form of therapeutic support to address their mental and physical health concerns.
