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Music Therapy

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Why Music Therapy at Valpo?

Grounded in arts and science, we radiate compassion. Valpo’s bachelor of music therapy empowers students to become humble servant-leaders who transform the lives of others through music.

This dual-accredited program – recognized by both the National Association of Schools of Music and the American Music Therapy Association – offers a highly personalized educational experience. Our students learn through an evidence-based, holistic approach and radiate hope, healing, and joy to society’s most vulnerable, from local mental health clinics to global medical centers and community spaces.

By graduation, Valpo music therapy students have already flourished in world-class field placements, hosted community events on campus, and are prepared to sit for the national board certification exam (MT-BC). They’re on a path that combines artistry with care – a melody that reaches every corner of the world.

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Music Therapy Highlights

100%

of all music therapy graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school within nine months of graduation.

1,200

minimum hours of clinical training are embedded within our comprehensive curriculum, complete with world-class field placements.

Certification Preparation

By graduation, all students are prepared to sit for the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) Board Certification Exam. Upon passing, they will receive their Music Therapist–Board Certified (MT-BC) credential, which is essential for professional practice.

Music Therapy Major Requirements

Students pursuing a degree in music therapy must complete a supplemental music application and an on-campus or virtual audition with their primary instrument.

Grounded in Valpo’s values, the College of Arts and Sciences encourages students to grow intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. Our intensive music therapy program is enhanced by the Valparaiso University Experience (VUE) and builds a broad, dynamic foundation across the natural sciences, social sciences, and liberal arts.

Our 132-credit music therapy program consists of both a 31-credit music core and 64-credit music therapy core – internships and supervised field training included. This multifaceted curriculum develops the therapeutic skills, clinical musicianship, treatment planning, and cultural responsiveness at the core of this allied health profession.

To satisfy all degree requirements, students must complete the following curriculum:

Music Core: 31 Credits
MUS 109 Musicianship I 2 Cr.
MUS 110 Musicianship II 2 Cr.
MUS 209 Musicianship III 2 Cr.
MUS 210 Musicianship IV 2 Cr.
MUS 163 Music Theory I 3 Cr.
MUS 164 Music Theory II 3 Cr.
MUS 263 Music Theory III 3 Cr.
MUS 264 Music Theory Iv: Post-Tonal 3 Cr.
MUS 201 Development of Western Music 2 Cr.
MUS 213 Basic Conducting 2 Cr.
MUS 300 Keyboard Proficiency 0 Cr.
MUS 400 Concert Attendance 0 Cr.
MUS 499 Music Colloquium 0 Cr.
6 Credits from the Following Options:
MUEN 350 Choirs 1 Cr.
MUEN 352 Bands 1 Cr.
MUEN 354 Orchestra 1 Cr.
1 Credit from the Following Options:
MUEN 357 Small Ensemble Music 0.5 Cr.
MUEN 358 Chamber Music 0.5 Cr.
Music Therapy Core: 64 Credits
MUAP 275 Performance Level Proficiency II 0 Cr.
Secondary Instrument
MUS 204 Popular Music in America 3 Cr.
MUS 232 Percussion Methods for Music Therapists 1 Cr.
MUS 236 Guitar Instructional Methods 1 Cr.
MUS 239 Voice Instructional Methods 1 Cr.
MUS 304 World Music 3 Cr.
MUS 312 Scoring and Arranging 2 Cr.
MUTH 120 Introduction to Music Therapy 3 Cr.
MUTH 175 Prfrmnce Lvl Music Therapy Proficiency I 0 Cr.
MUTH 240 Mus Thrpy Fndtns I: Therapeutic Process 2 Cr.
MUTH 241 Music Therapy Foundations I Lab 1 Cr.
MUTH 250 Mus Thrpy Fndtns II: Special Populations 2 Cr.
MUTH 251 Music Therapy Foundations II Laboratory 1 Cr.
MUTH 275 Perfmnc Lvl Music Therapy Proficiency II 0 Cr.
MUTH 330 Clinical Musicianship in Music Therapy 2 Cr.
MUTH 340 Psychology of Music 3 Cr.
MUTH 373 Music Therapy Junior Seminar I 1 Cr.
MUTH 374 Music Therapy Junior Seminar II 1 Cr.
MUTH 383 Music Therapy Practicum I 1 Cr.
MUTH 384 Music Therapy Practicum II 1 Cr.
MUTH 430 Music Thrpy Advocacy & Entrepreneurship 1 Cr.
MUTH 476 Music Therapy Senior Seminar 3 Cr.
MUTH 486 Music Therapy Internship 1 Cr.
MUTH 493 Music Therapy Research Seminar 1 Cr.
Additional Required Courses: 16 Credits
PSY 110 General Psychology 3 Cr.
PSY 111 Laboratory in General Experimental, Psychology 1 Cr.
PSY 215 Life Span Development 3 Cr.
PSY 235 Abnormal Psychology 3 Cr.
SOCW 260 Diversity, Equity, & Inculsion 3 Cr.
SOC 275 Inequality in America 3 Cr.

Music Therapy Career Outcomes

College Board predicts the job growth for music therapists to grow 15% over the next seven years. That means the abundance of opportunities for music therapy graduates to embrace their calling will only keep growing, whether that be in hospitals, nursing homes, psychiatric facilities, or schools.

Many of Valpo’s music therapy graduates go on to inspire in clinical settings across Northwest Indiana, Chicagoland, and far beyond – including Behavioral Specialists of Indiana, Institute of Therapy through the Arts, and The Great Lakes Music Company. 

Because music therapy requires both musical and clinical education, students who pursue this degree are able to shine just as brightly in several alternative careers.

Careers in music therapy:

  • Counselor
  • Music director
  • Music teacher
  • Music therapist
  • Psychologist
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Student Success

“Valpo’s music therapy program was a major game-changer for me. With Valpo being the closest university to Chicago offering a bachelor of music therapy, I was offered many incredible opportunities in the Chicagoland area that would not have been feasible otherwise. I am just so proud that so many individuals in the community have benefited from the work of Valpo’s music therapy graduates.” – Virginia Leahy ’24
Music Therapy Class
Post-Baccalaureate Music Therapy Equivalency Certificate