BM Music Therapy (Pre)

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 health care 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).

In addition to applying to CSU through the Office of Admissions, students applying to the B.M. in Music Therapy 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) or to audition for therapy only (no. studio).  Students auditioning for a studio must also complete the audition/interview for that studio.

Please visit the music website for Music Audition Information.

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.