Music Therapy

The mission of the KU music therapy program is to train students to be competence musicians and effective therapists who are equipped to be collaborative innovators in a complex world in order to proactively move the profession forward. This interdisciplinary curriculum emphasizes understanding of human behavior and development, musical and otherwise. It includes extensive work in music, and the social, behavioral and biological sciences, in addition to specific academic, clinical, and research studies in music therapy.

Music Therapy Program

The undergraduate music therapy program provides full preparation for entry into the profession. It culminates in the degree of Bachelor of Music Therapy. Graduates are prepared for general music therapy practice in a variety of settings, which may include, but are not limited to hospitals, schools, community health programs, correctional settings, facilities for older adults, wellness centers, and private practice. The KU music therapy program is approved by the American Music Therapy Association. Individuals who complete the academic and clinical training program are eligible to take the national music therapy board certification examination to become a board-certified music therapist.

Advising and Mentoring

Students admitted to the music therapy program will be assigned an appropriate academic advisor through the Jayhawk Advising Center and a music therapy faculty mentor to work with the student throughout their academic career.  Students are expected to consult with their academic advisor each semester to plan enrollment for the next semester. The mentor is available to help with enrollment, to recommend courses particularly beneficial for various emphases, and to offer career guidance. The responsibility for taking appropriate courses and for meeting other requirements rests upon the student. Information regarding all requirements is available to students in such documents as the university catalogue. Lack of knowledge of any requirement does not free the student from meeting that requirement. All students must sign up for a graduation check with the School of Music Student Services Office in 450 Murphy Hall one year prior to their graduation date.

Regardless of applied performance medium, each entering student should be able to sing independently, in tune, and with acceptable tone quality. Functional keyboard and guitar skills (accompanying, playing by ear, improvising, and transposing) are helpful and are developed within the curriculum. Experience working with others and well-developed interpersonal skills are an asset.

Students are strongly encouraged to read the Music Therapy Undergraduate Program Handbook, which is available on the School of Music website and from the Student Services Office, 450 Murphy Hall, and provides detailed procedures, suggestions, and specifications.

Professional Sequence Admission

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Music Therapy degree should apply for admission to the professional sequence upon completion of the second semester of the sophomore year with 50 or more KU hours. Transfer students with more than 45 hours of transfer credit may complete this application the first semester of classes at KU pending enrollment in specific courses as designated on the application.

Students must be admitted to the music therapy professional sequence by the Director of Music Therapy to enroll in upper-division music therapy courses. Music therapy majors who have been admitted to the professional sequence are in plan MTPPS-BM in the School of Music. See the Music Therapy Undergraduate Program Handbook for details.

Candidates are reviewed for admission periodically. No student may be admitted to the professional sequence for a semester during which he or she will be on academic probation. The application form for music therapy professional sequence admission is distributed to students prior to their time to apply. Information about the application process may be found on the KU School of Music website.

Professional Sequence Admission Requirements

1. Cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 or higher.

2. Grade-point average of 3.00 or higher in MEMT courses.

3. A grade of C or higher in each of the following courses:

4. At least 50 hours of college credit.

5. A signed applied music recommendation form verifying successful completion of the first semester of sophomore-level lessons.

6. Successful completion of the application form.

Ensemble Policy

The Ensemble Policy applies to: 

• All undergraduate students who enroll in any level of voice lessons. 
• All undergraduate and master’s students who enroll in any level of lessons on a brass, jazz, percussion, piano, string, or woodwind instrument. 

Applicable students must audition for and perform in a major ensemble, as assigned, on their primary instrument/voice each semester in which they are enrolled in lessons. Most music majors are required to enroll in one ensemble for 1 credit each semester. If a student chooses to enroll in additional ensembles beyond their degree requirements, they may enroll for zero credits. Except as noted below, exceptions to this policy are allowed on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the major ensemble conductor, in consultation with the student’s faculty mentor and applied faculty member. Students who receive a music scholarship or a GTA position may have additional responsibilities regarding ensemble participation. 

Major ensembles include: Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Marching Band; Chamber Choir, KU Glee, Treble Choir, and University Singers; Jazz Ensemble I; and Symphony Orchestra. University Band, Oread Singers, Jazz Ensembles II and III, and Philharmonic Orchestra will satisfy this requirement only if the student is placed in those ensembles by audition. 

BA-Composition and BA-Music Production & Technology majors: Jazz combos and other small ensembles can satisfy this requirement, if approved by either their applied faculty member and their faculty mentor (Composition) or the Director of Jazz and Commercial Music (MPT). 

BM-Composition majors: Other ensembles can satisfy this requirement, if approved by their faculty mentor (Composition).

BA-Performance (Piano) and BM-Performance (Piano) majors: Small ensembles can satisfy this requirement, with approval from the student’s faculty mentor, applied faculty member and the course instructor.

BFA-Theatre & Voice and BM-Performance (Voice) majors: Opera Production can satisfy this requirement, if the student accepts a major role in the production. This exception must be documented through a course substitution petition. As noted above, students may choose to enroll in additional ensembles. 

BMT majors: Additional ensembles can satisfy this requirement, if approved by the Area Coordinator for Music Therapy. 

Undergraduate Admission to the School of Music

Students who wish to major in music must audition. All students academically approved for admission to the School of Music are admitted contingent upon demonstration by audition of satisfactory level proficiency in their area of applied music. Further information about specific applied music areas can be found on the School of Music's Audition Information website; if you do not see your particular area of study listed there, please contact KU School of Music Recruiting <musicrecruiting@ku.edu>, to inquire about availability. 

Music audition and application information is available on the School of Music website. There is a limit of two times a prospective student may request an audition for entrance into one of the School's undergraduate degree programs. The second request must be within 12 months of the first and may be as early as 1 month following the first audition. This limitation also applies to students within the School auditioning from one program into another.

First-year and current KU students

Once admitted academically, first-year students will enter the School of Music directly after a successful audition. Students may transfer into the School of Music from other KU Schools or the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences if they have at least a 2.75 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and are eligible to return to the college or university last attended in addition to completing a successful audition. Other students can be admitted only with the permission of the Dean of the School of Music. Information and applications are available through the Office of Admissions and for international students they are available through the Office of International Admissions.

Transfer Students

Students may transfer to the School of Music from other institutions or from other KU Schools if they have at least a 2.75 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), are eligible to return to the college or university last attended and complete a successful audition. Only grades of C or higher are accepted in transfer credit toward degrees offered by the School of Music. Students who wish to transfer performance credit from another institution toward any music degree at KU must validate this credit by audition.

Keyboard Skills Placement Examination:

If a student has a background in keyboard playing, they may choose to take one or more Piano Quiz-Out tests. Successfully passing a Quiz-Out will exempt a student from having to take a particular class in the PIAN sequence (PIAN 144, PIAN 148, PIAN 284, or PIAN 310 for students with keyboard/organ emphasis). Students should check with their advisor about how this will impact their particular degree requirements.

Freshmen and transfer students with no previous piano study experience should enroll in PIAN 144. No examination or permission number is necessary. Students should check with their advisor about their particular degree requirements.

More information about the Keyboard Skills Placement Examination including deadlines is available on the School of Music website.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Music Therapy, B.M.T.

The degree requires a minimum of 120 semester hours of credit (including 45 at the Junior/Senior 300+ level) appropriately distributed among general studies, the major, and supporting music areas. With careful planning, the program can be completed in about 4½ years. Four academic years of study and clinical work on campus are followed by a full-time, 6-month internship in an approved clinical institution.

The degree requires at least a 3.00 cumulative grade-point average in all course work and a minimum of 3.00 in all MEMT courses. All music therapy majors must demonstrate proficiency in the major applied performance medium and in other performance areas.

All students must demonstrate functional vocal skills and ability to perform accompaniments on a chordal instrument, such as guitar, ukulele, autoharp, or piano and various percussion instruments. These skills are assessed periodically throughout the program.

Music Core Required Courses

Ensemble Policy

The Ensemble Policy applies to: 

• All undergraduate students who enroll in any level of voice lessons. 
• All undergraduate and master’s students who enroll in any level of lessons on a brass, jazz, percussion, piano, string, or woodwind instrument. 

Applicable students must audition for and perform in a major ensemble, as assigned, on their primary instrument/voice each semester in which they are enrolled in lessons. Most music majors are required to enroll in one ensemble for 1 credit each semester. If a student chooses to enroll in additional ensembles beyond their degree requirements, they may enroll for zero credits. Except as noted below, exceptions to this policy are allowed on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the major ensemble conductor, in consultation with the student’s faculty mentor and applied faculty member. Students who receive a music scholarship or a GTA position may have additional responsibilities regarding ensemble participation. 

Major ensembles include: Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Marching Band; Chamber Choir, KU Glee, Treble Choir, and University Singers; Jazz Ensemble I; and Symphony Orchestra. University Band, Oread Singers, Jazz Ensembles II and III, and Philharmonic Orchestra will satisfy this requirement only if the student is placed in those ensembles by audition. 

BA-Composition and BA-Music Production & Technology majors: Jazz combos and other small ensembles can satisfy this requirement, if approved by either their applied faculty member and their faculty mentor (Composition) or the Director of Jazz and Commercial Music (MPT). 

BM-Composition majors: Other ensembles can satisfy this requirement, if approved by their faculty mentor (Composition).

BA-Performance (Piano) and BM-Performance (Piano) majors: Small ensembles can satisfy this requirement, with approval from the student’s faculty mentor, applied faculty member and the course instructor.

BFA-Theatre & Voice and BM-Performance (Voice) majors: Opera Production can satisfy this requirement, if the student accepts a major role in the production. This exception must be documented through a course substitution petition. As noted above, students may choose to enroll in additional ensembles. 

BMT majors: Additional ensembles can satisfy this requirement, if approved by the Area Coordinator for Music Therapy. 

Music Therapy 4.5 Year Plan

Students with no prior piano experience should take the keyboard skills sequence (PIAN 144 - PIAN 284). Demonstration of skills is needed to Quiz-Out of PIAN 144 - PIAN 284. Students whose major performance medium is piano or organ should take PIAN 310 after completing two semesters of music theory (PIAN 310 is only taken once in the fall term of the sophomore year).

• F = Fall only
• S = Spring only
• B = Both semesters

​Professional Sequence

Professional Sequence Admission Requirements

Students should apply for admission to the Professional Sequence as early as possible and must be admitted before beginning the first semester of the junior year. Admission requirements:

1. Cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 or higher.
2. Grade-point average of 3.00 or higher in MEMT courses.
3. A grade of C or higher in each of the following courses:

   Course List

   Code	Title	Hours
   MEMT 150	Introduction to Music Therapy	3
   MEMT 250	Human Musical Learning and Development	2
   MEMT 251	Clinical Treatment Process and Observation I	3
   MEMT 296	Clinical Treatment Process and Observation II	3
   MEMT 334	Applied Musicianship in Clinical Settings	2

4. At least 50 hours of college credit.
5. Successful completion of the application form.

¹

Students must achieve admission to the music therapy professional sequence prior to enrolling in these courses.

²

Music Theory I and II and Aural Skills I and II should be taken before Music History I or higher.

Notes:

• Students must successfully complete the Clinical Musicianship Assessment Process before entering Clinical Practicum. This assessment is addressed across the freshmen and sophomore years of study.

*  - This course is a Required major course and is also part of Core 34: Systemwide General Education.  If this course is not taken to fulfill the Core 34:SGE requirement, it must be taken in place of elective hours.

**  - This course is a Recommended Core 34: Systemwide General Education course.  This specific course is not required but is recommended by the program’s faculty.

***  - This course is a Required Core 34: Systemwide General Education course.  This program is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents to require this specific Core 34:Systemwide General Education course.  If a student did not take this course it must be taken in addition to other degree requirements.

At the completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• Demonstrate performance skills appropriate to the student’s major and primary performing medium, including performing a broad range of repertoire, sight-reading, collaboration, conducting, and keyboard skills.
• Demonstrate elementary and intermediate skills in musicianship and music analysis. 
• Demonstrate a basic capacity to compose or improvise original or derivative music.
• Demonstrate basic knowledge of music history and repertories through the present time, including study and experience of musical language and achievement in addition to that of the primary culture encompassing the student’s major area.
• Demonstrate functional music skills on voice, piano, guitar, and percussion through playing / accompanying, transposing, harmonizing, sight-reading / singing, composing, arranging, orchestrating, improvising, and leading.
• Articulate and demonstrate basic clinical foundations and principles of music therapy, including normal human development, exceptionality and psychopathology, principles of therapy, and the therapeutic relationship; the philosophical, psychological, physiological, and sociological bases for the use of music as therapy; music therapy methods, techniques and materials with their appropriate applications to various client populations.
• Apply to the clinical practice of music therapy knowledge of various client populations; components of the treatment process including client assessment, treatment planning, therapy implementation and evaluation, clinical documentation (both oral and written) and termination/discharge planning in concurrence with professional standards of clinical practice; professional role and ethics; interdisciplinary collaboration in designing and implementing treatment programs; supervision and administration while using acquired knowledge of research methods to be able to interpret information; and demonstrate basic knowledge of historical, quantitative, and qualitative research and apply these research findings to clinical practice in music therapy.