Master of Music Education in Music Therapy
Master of Music Education (MME) in 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 (the graduate equivalency programs typically requires 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.
Admission Requirements
In addition to all University requirements for admission to graduate studies, students applying to the Master of Music Education in Music Therapy (MME-MT) program must provide and/or meet the following program-specific requirements.
Program-Specific Requirements*
Each program has specific application requirements listed within the application system. All possible program requirements are listed below, but applicants should refer to their graduate application for program-specific requirements. You can save your online graduate application in-process and do not need to upload all requirements at the time that you start the application. We strongly recommend applicants submit their complete application by December 1st (our priority deadline).
- 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.
Contact musicgrad@ku.edu with questions.
*These are the admission requirements in place at the time this catalog content was published.
M.M.E. in Music Therapy Degree Requirements
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). More information about this as well as the thesis or project options are available in the MEMT Graduate Handbook.
Completion Options
The Master of Music Education in Music Therapy (MME-MT) degree allows for the following completion options:
- Thesis with oral exam component
- Final Project with oral exam component
Program of Study
The Master of Music Education degree 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 project options are available). Selections must be approved by your faculty advisor. A list of all course offerings can be found on the Schedule of Classes.
Contact Information
- Area Coordinator: Cynthia Colwell (Music Therapy), ccolwell@ku.edu
- Graduate Student Academic Services: musicgrad@ku.edu
MME in Music Therapy Program of Study:
| 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 6 hours) in any MEMT course, 700-level or above. | 6 | |
| Supportive Studies (minimum of 10 hours) outside of MEMT. | 10 | |
| Open Electives (minimum of 3 hours) in any course, 600-level or above. | 3 | |
| Completion Option | 3 | |
| Thesis Option | ||
| Master's Thesis (3 hours) | ||
| OR | ||
| Project Option | ||
Additional MEMT Elective Course 700-level or above (2 hours) | ||
| Master's Oral Examination (1 hour) | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
This is an example of a two-year degree plan (see policy on full-time enrollment). Students should work with their faculty advisor to create a personalized program of study. Details about the program (including milestones, committee and exam information) can be found in the School of Music Graduate Handbook or on the webpage.
Program of Study
A Program of Study must be submitted to Graduate Student Services at musicgrad@ku.edu by the end of the second semester of enrollment. It is the student’s responsibility to track degree progress based on the approved program of study and submit updates as needed. A final degree audit should be requested the semester prior to your proposed graduation term by emailing musicgrad@ku.edu.
MME in Music Therapy (Thesis Option)*
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MEMT 812 (OR equivalent course approved by advisor) | 3 | MEMT 864 | 3 |
| MEMT Elective(s) | 3 | MEMT Elective(s) | 3 |
| Supportive Studies | 3 | MEMT 890 | 2 |
| MEMT 899 | 1 | ||
| 9 | 9 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Supportive Studies | 3 | Supportive Studies | 2 |
| Open Elective(s) | 3 | Supportive Studies | 2 |
| MEMT 899 | 1 | MEMT 899 | 1 |
| 7 | 5 | ||
| Total Hours 30 | |||
*Additional hours may be added to reach full-time enrollment status if needed.
MME in Music Therapy (Project Option)*
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MEMT 812 (OR equivalent course approved by advisor) | 3 | MEMT 864 | 3 |
| MEMT Elective(s) | 3 | MEMT Elective(s) | 3 |
| Supportive Studies | 3 | Open Elective(s) | 3 |
| 9 | 9 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Supportive Studies | 2 | Supportive Studies | 3 |
| MEMT Elective(s) | 2 | Supportive Studies | 2 |
| MEMT 890 | 2 | MEMT 898 | 1 |
| 6 | 6 | ||
| Total Hours 30 | |||
*Additional hours may be added to reach full-time enrollment status if needed.
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.