Bachelor in Music Therapy
Waukesha, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
USD 36,400 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* open enrollment
** additional fees may apply
Introduction
Music can inspire, lead, comfort, and heal. As a music therapist, you’ll use your knowledge and abilities in music to help people live better lives. Music therapy is a fast-growing field and Carroll University is one of only two institutions in Wisconsin offering an AMTA-certified music therapy degree. Music therapy is useful for a wide variety of patients, from infants to the elderly and those suffering from trauma, injury, illness, and disease. It can help reduce anxiety and stress, coax movement, generate social interaction and improve a patient’s quality of life in numerous ways. Music therapists work in diverse settings–from clinics and hospitals to schools and homes. In our program, you’ll study music, gain proficiency in an instrument, and also acquire the qualifications to be a therapist, learn clinical skills with patients, and prepare for professional practice.
Carroll University’s music program has a long and proud history and our health science programs have a national reputation for excellence. In the music therapy major, you’ll learn from our expert faculty from both programs. It’s also one of very few undergraduate therapy degrees available, meaning you’ll have a quick path to a rewarding job. And this is a booming career, with a projected 8-14 percent job growth in the next decade.
In this major, you’ll develop musical skills in singing, guitar, piano, and percussion and learn about music theory. You’ll also study psychology, anatomy, biology, and physiology.
You’ll begin clinical placements as soon as your second year, first observing a music therapist at work and then assisting. You’ll have several more clinical experiences, culminating in a six-month internship, where you’ll observe and provide music therapy services under the direct supervision of a certified music therapist. You’ll learn how to assess, treat, document, and evaluate your patients. In addition, you’ll learn to communicate empathetically, establish therapeutic relationships and gain an awareness of ethical principles and current standards of practice.
Upon completion of this program, you’ll be prepared to take the certification exam offered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists.
Additional Music Majors
Carroll University offers two additional majors within the music program.
- Music Major
- Music Education Major
Program Outcome
- Preparation for Professional Practice - Professional preparation requires the development of knowledge, skills, and abilities through education, supervision, and pre-professional experiences.
- Musical Development - Musical development is the acquisition of music knowledge, aesthetic sensitivity, and skills relevant to music therapy, and the application of those skills to clinical practice.
- Personal Development of the Therapist - Personal development involves becoming self-aware and actively seeking to further develop the self.
- Clinical Experience - Clinical experience involves observation and provision of music therapy services under the direct supervision of a certified music therapist. The student learns music therapy techniques to meet clients musically and clinically, demonstrating basic knowledge of assessment, treatment, documentation, and evaluation; communicates empathy and establishing therapeutic relationships; and demonstrates an understanding of ethical principles and current standards of practice.
Gallery
Career Opportunities
Types of employers for music therapy graduates include:
- Psychiatric hospitals
- Rehabilitative facilities
- Medical hospitals
- Outpatient clinics
- Day care treatment centers
- Agencies serving developmentally disabled persons
- Community mental health centers
- Drug and alcohol programs
- Senior centers
- Nursing homes
Curriculum
Core Music Courses
- MUS 105 - Class Piano I 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 106 - Class Piano II 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 107 - Class Piano III 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 108 - Class Piano IV 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 111 - Music Theory I 3 Hour(s)
- MUS 112 - Music Theory II 3 Hour(s)
- MUS 113 - Musicianship I 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 114 - Musicianship II 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 169 - Voice 0 - 2 Hour(s)
- MUS 181 - Class Guitar 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 182 - Introduction to Rhythmic Movement 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 185 - Concert Choir 0 - 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 211 - Music Theory III 3 Hour(s)
- MUS 213 - Musicianship III 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 214 - Musicianship IV 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 215 - Songwriting in the Digital Age 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 220 - Class Guitar 2 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 260 - Music as Culture 4 Hour(s)
- MUS 303 - Conducting I 2 Hour(s)
- MUS 307 - Practical Keyboard Harmony 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 311 - Music History I - Classical Antiquity to the Classical Period 4 Hour(s)
- MUS 312 - Music History II - Nineteenth Century to the Present 4 Hour(s)
- Applied Lessons (8 credits)
Music Ensemble
Eight semesters in:
- MUS 185 - Concert Choir 0 - 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 188 - Wind Ensemble 0 - 1 Hour(s)
- MUS 191 - Chamber Orchestra 0 - 1 Hour(s)
Core Music Therapy Courses
- MTY 101 - Introduction to Music Therapy 2 Hour(s)
- MTY 201 - Music Therapy Methods 2 Hour(s)
- MTY 251 - Psychology of Music 3 Hour(s)
- MTY 301 - Therapeutic Relationship in Music Therapy 2 Hour(s)
- MTY 304 - Influence of Music on Behavior 3 Hour(s)
- MTY 382 - Music Therapy Activities for Specific Populations 2 Hour(s)
- MTY 401 - Ethics and Cultural Awareness 2 Hour(s)
- MTY 402 - The Music Therapy Professional 1 Hour(s)
Required Support Courses
- ANP 130 - Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 Hour(s)
- ANP 130L - Intro to Human Anatomy and Phys I Lab 0 Hour(s)
- PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology 4 Hour(s)
- PSY 201 - Abnormal Psychology 4 Hour(s)
- PSY 221 - Life-Span Psychology 4 Hour(s)
Clinical Education Courses
- MTY 180 - Music Therapy Practicum 1 or 2 Hour(s) (must be taken 5 times)
- MTY 480 - Music Therapy Internship 1 Hour(s)
Bachelor of Music
The degree requirements for a Music Therapy major are:
- CMP 112 - Computational Thinking I 4 Hour(s)
- CMP 114 - Computational Thinking II - Statistical Analysis Emphasis 4 Hour(s)
- ENG 170 - Writing Seminar 4 Hour(s)
- Degree requirements cannot be waived.
Note: Each major may have specific course sequencing requirements. For specific requirements, see “Required Support Courses” within each major
Internships
With this major as your focus, you will gain around 200 hours of practical clinical experience in music therapy practicum, beginning sophomore year. Full internships have not been completed by our students yet since the program is still new, however, recent pre-internship sites where students are already gaining hands-on experience include:
- Authentic Birth Center (Mother-infant recreational music group)
- Hope Center in Waukesha
- Linden Court Memory Care
- Healing Harmonies Music Therapy, LLC
- Expressive Therapies, LLC
- Life in Harmony Music Therapy, LLC
- Living Melodies, LLC
- Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
- Ascension – St. Francis Hospital
- Union Grove Veterans Home
- Arts for All Wisconsin
- St. Ann’s Center for Intergenerational Care
- Middleton Music Therapy Services, LLC
- ProHealth Hospice – Angel’s Grace
- Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care
- GiGi’s Playhouse Milwaukee
- Clement Manor
- Vitas Hospice
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
The University participates in three types of financial aid programs for its International students: scholarships, grants, and employment.
Scholarships
Carroll University offers completive scholarships for international undergraduate students. 100 percent of Carroll University students receive scholarship assistance, which helps them find a balance between studies, work, and extra-curricular activities. Scholarships play a key role in maintaining Carroll's accessibility for all students. On average our international scholarship covers 45-55% of the cost of attendance for full-time undergraduate students.
Grants
Grants are awarded based upon a student’s demonstrated financial need in addition to the guaranteed International scholarship. Like scholarships, grants are considered gift aid that does not need to be repaid.
Student Employment
University employment opportunities allow students to work part-time on campus, earn an hourly wage and receive a monthly paycheck while attending Carroll. Students may work from approximately five to fourteen hours each week. The number of hours a student may work depends upon the student’s financial aid award. International students get awarded an average of $2,000-$2,500 in university employment grants every year.
Program Leaders
Student Testimonials
English Language Requirements
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