Master of Music Education in Music Therapy
Master of Music Education
Music Therapy
The graduate programs within the Music Education and Music Therapy (MEMT) department include advanced professional and scholarly study for music educators and music therapists, licensure/certification programs for those with baccalaureate degrees in other fields who plan to enter either the music education or music therapy professions (these graduate licensure/certification programs typically require collateral undergraduate coursework) and advanced study for individuals in related disciplines. Areas of emphasis, curricula, examinations, and regulations and procedures are described in the MEMT Master's Graduate Handbook available online.
M.M.E. in Music Therapy Admission
Standard Admission Requirements for all Graduate Programs
Catalog Update Instructions: This section is listed for all graduate programs*; programs may not modify this information. Stricter requirements should be listed in program-specific admission requirements.
- All applicants must meet the requirements outlined in the Admission to Graduate Study policy.
- Bachelor’s degree: A copy of official transcripts showing proof of a bachelor's degree (and any post-bachelor’s coursework or degrees) from a regionally accredited institution, or a foreign university with equivalent bachelor's degree requirements is required.
- English proficiency: Proof of English proficiency for non-native or non-native-like English speakers is required. There are two bands of English proficiency, including Admission and Full proficiency. For applicants to online programs, Full proficiency is required.
Specific Program Requirements
- Undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- An appropriate baccalaureate degree to support the individual’s goals for master’s study. Students seeking entrance into the graduate equivalency program in music therapy should have substantial background in music regardless of undergraduate major.
- Resume or CV
- Statement of Purpose
- A Scholarly Writing Sample - Submit a 1-2 page personal statement that describes how you currently see yourself and in what ways you would like to grow during your master’s degree program in one of two areas: 1) your interpersonal and intrapersonal skills that contribute to therapist effectiveness OR 2) areas of clinical and research interests.
- Three (3) Letters of Recommendation (provide professional email addresses within application system)
- Music Therapy Video. Upload a video or provide a link to a video under portfolio in the Graduate Application System as follows:
- Face the camera, state your name, and tell why you are interested in graduate study in Music Therapy at KU (2 minutes max).
- Play or sing music from 2 different time periods or styles demonstrating your principal applied instrument or voice (5 minutes max).
- Choose 10 songs across varied categories from the Music Therapy Song Resource List. Sing 2 of these songs a cappella and accompany 3 additional selections on either piano or guitar.
- Prepare remaining 5 songs as they may be requested as part of the interview process.
Applicants should submit the application by the December 1st application deadline. We will accept applications after this date, but late applicants may not be considered for funding. Contact musicgrad@ku.edu with questions.
M.M.E. in Music Therapy Degree Requirements
Course and Proficiency Requirements
The degree requires a minimum of 30 hours of graduate credit. At least one-half of the required credit hours must be in courses open only to graduate students. At least 20 of the hours must be in regularly scheduled classes excluding directed study, research, and thesis or comprehensive examination (as applicable).
Course Distribution
- The program must include at least 17 hours of graduate work in the division, including MEMT 812 Research in Music Education and Music Therapy or an equivalent (3 hours), MEMT 864 Philosophy and Theory of Music Therapy (3 hours), and MEMT 890 Practicum in Music Therapy (2 hours).
- MEMT 899 Master’s Thesis (thesis option, 3 hours) OR MEMT 898 Master's Oral Examination (non-thesis option, 1 hour) with additional hours to reach the minimum elected from 600 through 800-level MEMT courses, subject to the advisor’s approval.
- At least 10 hours in supportive studies outside MEMT.
The work is distributed as indicated in the categories on the appropriate Degree Program Plan found online. All course selections are subject to the advisor’s approval.
The M.M.E. in music therapy may be earned only by individuals eligible to sit for the national examination offered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT).
Final Master's Examination (Thesis)
The student must be enrolled at the time the final master’s exam is held. The exam will be scheduled for a period of 2 hours. The examination committee shall be comprised of the student’s major advisor and 2 other graduate faculty members jointly selected by the student and major advisor. It is the student’s responsibility to give the final thesis copy to each committee member 2 weeks in advance of the scheduled exam date.
The candidate will begin by giving a twenty-minute oral presentation on their thesis, but the exam is not confined to that topic. Thereafter, the candidate will address questions posed by the committee arising from the candidate’s presentation and the thesis document.
Master's Oral Examination (Non-Thesis)
The non-thesis option typically functions as a terminal degree and the work must be distributed as indicated in the categories shown on the appropriate Degree Program Plan. This option culminates with enrollment in a 1-credit hour comprehensive final examination (MEMT 898 Master's Oral Examination) and the subsequent project/portfolio and presentation.
The student must be enrolled at the time the final non-thesis master’s exam is held. The non-thesis master’s exam includes presenting a project/portfolio and will be scheduled for a period of 1 hour. The examination committee shall be comprised of the student’s major advisor and 2 other graduate faculty members jointly selected by the student and major advisor. It is the student’s responsibility to give the final project/portfolio to each committee member 2 weeks in advance of the scheduled examination date.
The candidate will begin by giving a twenty-minute oral presentation on their project/portfolio,
More information about the thesis or non-thesis option is available online in the MEMT Graduate Handbook.
Final Master's Examination (Thesis)
The student must be enrolled at the time the final master’s exam is held. The exam will be scheduled for a period of 2 hours. The examination committee shall be comprised of the student’s major advisor and 2 other graduate faculty members jointly selected by the student and major advisor. It is the student’s responsibility to give the final thesis copy to each committee member 2 weeks in advance of the scheduled exam date.
The candidate will begin by giving a twenty-minute oral presentation on their thesis, but the exam is not confined to that topic. Thereafter, the candidate will address questions posed by the committee arising from the candidate’s presentation and the thesis document.
Master's Oral Examination (Non-Thesis)
The non-thesis option typically functions as a terminal degree and the work must be distributed as indicated in the categories shown on the appropriate Degree Program Plan. This option culminates with enrollment in a 1-credit hour comprehensive final examination (MEMT 898 Master's Oral Examination) and the subsequent project/portfolio and presentation.
The student must be enrolled at the time the final non-thesis master’s exam is held. The non-thesis master’s exam includes presenting a project/portfolio and will be scheduled for a period of 1 hour. The examination committee shall be comprised of the student’s major advisor and 2 other graduate faculty members jointly selected by the student and major advisor. It is the student’s responsibility to give the final project/portfolio to each committee member 2 weeks in advance of the scheduled examination date.
More information about the thesis or non-thesis option is available online in the MEMT Graduate Handbook.
Program of Study
The Master of Music Education in Music Therapy (MME-MT) degree requires a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate-level coursework, distributed into the categories listed below (thesis and non-thesis options are available). Selections must be approved by your academic advisor. A list of all course offerings can be found on the Schedule of Classes.
Contact Information
- Area Coordinator: Cindy Colwell, ccolwell@ku.edu,
- Graduate Student Academic Services: musicgrad@ku.edu
MME in Music Therapy Program of Study: Thesis Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Research in MEMT | ||
| MEMT 812 | Research in Music Education and Music Therapy ((or equivalent course)) | 3 |
| Core Music Therapy Courses | ||
| MEMT 864 | Philosophy and Theory of Music Therapy | 3 |
| MEMT 890 | Practicum in Music Therapy | 1-16 |
| MEMT Electives (minimum of 6 hours) in any MEMT course, 700-level or above. | 6 | |
| Open Electives (minimum of 3 hours) in any course, 600-level or above. | 3 | |
| Supportive Studies (minimum of 10 hours) outside of MEMT. | 10 | |
| MEMT 899 | Master's Thesis | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours Required: | 30 | |
MME in Music Therapy Program of Study: Non-Thesis Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Research in MEMT | ||
| MEMT 812 | Research in Music Education and Music Therapy ((or equivalent course)) | 3 |
| Core Music Therapy Courses | ||
| MEMT 864 | Philosophy and Theory of Music Therapy | 3 |
| MEMT 890 | Practicum in Music Therapy | 2 |
| MEMT Electives (minimum of 8 hours) in any MEMT course, 700-level or above. | 8 | |
| Supportive Studies (minimum of 10 hours) outside of MEMT. | 10 | |
| Open Electives (minimum of 3 hours) in any course, 600-level or above. | 3 | |
| MEMT 898 | Master's Oral Examination | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours Required: | 30 | |
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Develop advanced capacities to work independently and make effective artistic and intellectual judgments and decisions in the area of specialization.
- Demonstrate advanced competence in the area of specialization before peers and faculty.
- Produce a final project or some equivalent reviewed by more than one faculty member.