Music Therapy (BS)

Affiliation: School of Arts & Letters

Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. It is an established health profession in which music is used to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals.

The Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy degree prepares students for the national board certification exam to obtain the credential MT-BC (Music Therapist - Board Certified). This professional Music degree includes rigorous training in the discipline of Music as well as courses in Psychology, Biology, Nursing, and Sociology and Anthropology.

The curriculum is designed to impart entry level competencies in three main areas: musical foundations, clinical foundations, and music therapy foundations and principles as specified in the AMTA Professional Competencies. In addition to the academic coursework, the bachelor’s degree includes clinical training, including a supervised internship.

ADMISSION TO THE MUSIC PROGRAM

Prior to declaring a major in music, each student must perform for the appropriate studio faculty in order to determine that the student has reached a sufficiently advanced level of applied proficiency. While a personal audition is highly recommended, in cases where such is not possible, a recording of the student’s performance may be accepted. Transfer students may also be subject to placement examinations in theory and music history.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL BACHELOR’S DEGREES IN MUSIC

• Achievement levels for the various levels of applied music in the Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts degrees are listed in the Music Student’s Handbook.
• Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music (General) and the Bachelor of Arts degree in Music (Pre-Certification) must present a recital consisting of 30 minutes of music during the senior year. Standards applicable to these recitals are available upon request.
• Candidates for the Bachelor of Music, Performance Emphasis degree must present a recital consisting of 30 minutes of music during the junior year and another recital of 50 minutes of music during the senior year. Candidates for the Bachelor of Music, Composition Emphasis degree must present a recital consisting of 50 minutes of originally composed music during the senior year. Standards applicable to these recitals are available upon request from the office of the Department Chair or School of Arts & Letters.
• All music majors are required to attend a designated number of student recitals and concerts given on the campus. Evidence of having met the requirement is 6 successful semesters of satisfactory work in MUSI 279 (0 credits).
• Keyboard Competency. All music majors are required to complete MUSI 254 (Basic Keyboard Skills IV) in order to demonstrate competency at the keyboard. Placement into one of the keyboard skills courses occurs upon admission to the program. Students who possess substantial keyboard background may elect, upon recommendation of the keyboard faculty, to test out of this requirement. A student is deemed competent upon successfully passing the MUSI 254 final examination with a score of 90%. Students who plan to attempt this examination are allowed to do so no later than the end of their first semester at Truman. Students may only attempt the examination one time. Once a student has completed a total of 90 credits hours, he/she will not be allowed to test out of the piano requirement but instead must take the appropriate keyboard skills class.
• At the end of each semester, every student in an applied music course must perform for the appropriate faculty committee (jury). A recital may also fulfill this requirement. This is an opportunity for the faculty to assess the student’s progress. In the event the student fails to appear and perform the jury examination without evidence of extenuating circumstances, an automatic grade of “F” is assigned as the student’s semester grade for the course. After completing four semesters of applied study in a single instrument or voice, every student is eligible for admittance to upper division applied study after passing the jury examination into upper division.
• All music majors are required to participate in a major University ensemble on their primary instrument or voice (Marching Band, Concert Band, Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Cantoria, or University Chorus). The individual degree programs should be consulted to determine the specific number of credits required.
• Students are eligible to earn upper-level ensemble credit only after passing the jury examination into upper division on their major instrument or voice and after completing at least 4 credits of ensemble(s). Maximum: 6 credits.

MUSIC COMMUNICATION

All music majors will develop their skills as speakers and writers. Beginning in their first semester, students will develop critical thinking skills in courses such as the four semesters of Music Analysis, Music Literature, and Music History I. These experiences will prepare the student for MUSI 341 Music History II, which is Writing Enhanced. In MUSI 341 students will conduct research throughout the semester that will conclude with a research paper in fulfillment of the WE designation. Throughout the semester students will also give oral presentations of their research, as well as other topics pertaining to the subject matter of the course. For the Music BA with concentration in Liberal Arts there is also the opportunity for research and oral presentation to be a component of the Capstone experience.

DEPARTMENTAL HONORS IN MUSIC THERAPY: BS

1. 3.50 or above cumulative GPA

2. 3.50 or above cumulative GPA

3. A on Senior Recital

4. Presentation at a research conference - Truman State University Research Conference, NCUR, CMS, MENC, MMTA, NATS and equivalent experiences.

5. Approval of non-abstaining faculty.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS: