Music Therapy Curriculum
The curriculum at The University of Alabama develops musical skills and therapeutic strategies which equip graduates to be full participants in a therapeutic team. Music therapists trained at UA must be admitted to the University and then meet the entrance requirements for music majors in the School of Music (successful audition and music theory placement test). Once fully admitted at both the university and School of Music levels, they take courses in music, psychology/related areas, and music therapy which synthesize the music and non-music coursework.
The music therapy curriculum at UA has been approved by the American Music Therapy Association, the national organization for professionally trained music therapists.
Clinical Training
While at UA, music therapy students have clinical placements as part of their coursework. Students are involved at varying levels throughout the program starting their freshmen year. The coursework is followed by a six month full time internship under the direct supervision of an experienced, board certified music therapist. MTs must be prepared to offer a wide variety of services to a large number of recipient populations, so the intense training in music and in therapy is essential.
Board Certification
After completing the internship, music therapists are eligible to take a Board Certification examination administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapy. You can identify people who have completed the academic/clinical curriculum and passed this examination by the initials MT-BC following their professional signatures.
Current Catalog
Find degree requirements in the UA undergraduate catalog.
Music Therapy Courses
| Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| MUS 180 – Introduction to Music Therapy | 2 semester hours |
| MUS 182 – Observation,Orientation to M.T. | 2 semester hours |
| MUS 280 – M.T. Skills and Repertoire | 2 semester hours |
| MUS 281 – Music Recreation Techniques | 2 semester hours |
| MUS 282 – Clinical Practicum | 1 credit; 2 semesters |
| MUS 380 – Psychology of Music | 3 semester hours |
| MUS 382 – Music Therapy Practicum | 1 credit; 4 semesters |
| MUS 480, 481, 482 – Music in Therapy I, II, III | 9 semester hours |
| MUS 487 – Seminar in Professional Practices | 2 semester hours |
| MUS 488 – Comprehensive Exam in M.T. | 0 credit; required |
| MUS 489 – Music Therapy Internship | 6 semester hours |
Music Core Courses
| Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| MUS 115, 117, 215, 217 – Music Theory | Total of 16 semester hours |
| MUS 250 – World Music | 3 semester hours |
| MUS 251, 252, 323 Music History | Total of 9 semester hours |
| MUS 351 – Conducting | 2 semester hours |
| MUA 010 – Music Convocation (5 semesters) | 0 credit; required |
Principal Applied Music Study and Class Instruments
| Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Principal Applied Instrument | Total of 16 semester hours |
| MUA 299 – Piano Proficiency Exam | 0 credit; required |
| Ensembles | Every semester (min. 8) |
| MUE 251 – Class Instruments | 3 semester hours |
Other Instrumental Study (select track corresponding to principal)
Voice Principal
| Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| MUA 121-124, MUA 271 – Piano | Total of 5 semester hours |
| MUS 228, 229 – Jazz Piano | Total of 2 semester hours |
| MUS 220 – Class Guitar | 1 semester hour |
Instrumental Principal
| Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| MUA 121-124- Class Piano | Total of 4 semester hours |
| MUS 228, 229 – Jazz Piano | Total of 2 semester hours |
| MUS 220 – Class Guitar | 1 semester hour |
| MUE 381 – Vocal Methods Lab | 1 semester hour |
Piano Principal
| Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| MUS 228, 229 – Jazz Piano | Total of 2 semester hours |
| MUS 335 – Accompanying | 2 semester hours |
| MUS 406 – Keyboard Techniques | 2 semester hours |
| MUS 220 – Class Guitar | 1 semester hour |
| MUE 381 – Vocal Methods Lab | 1 semester hour |
UA General Studies Curriculum
| Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| EN 101, 102 | Total of 6 semester hours |
| Sequence of Literature Courses | Total of 6 semester hours |
| One approved HU Course | 3 semester hours |
| MUS 250, FA (fine arts; not MUS 121) | 3 semester hours |
| Sequence in Foreign Language | Total of 8 semester hours |
| One HI (history) course | 3 semester hours |
| PY 101 – Introduction to Psychology (SB) | 3 semester hours |
| Two approved SB courses | Total of 6 semester hours |
| MA 110 (or other MA course) – Finite Math | 3 semester hours |
| BSC 108, 109- Intro to Biology (N) | Total of 8 semester hours |
Courses in Related Disciplines
| Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| PY 358 – Abnormal Psychology | 3 semester hours |
Freshman Advising for Music Therapy Majors
Fall Semester
Students interested in pursuing a B.M. in Music Therapy with a Voice Principal should register for the following:
| Course | Title | Credit |
| MUS 115 | Music Theory I | 4 |
| MUS 180 | Introduction to Music Therapy | 2 |
| MUA 174 | Principal Applied Voice | 2 |
| MUA 121 | Class Piano* | 1 |
| MUA 150…169 | Ensemble of choice | 1 |
| MUA 010 | Music Convocation | 0 |
| EN 101 | Freshman Composition | 3 |
| Choice | One 3 or 4 hour required academic course | 3 or 4 |
| *After placement audition, MUS 123 or MUA 271 may be substituted | ||
| (16 or 17 hrs. total) |
Students interested in pursuing a B.M. in Music Therapy with an Instrumental Principal should register for the following:
| Course | Title | Credit |
| MUS 115 | Music Theory I | 4 |
| MUS 180 | Introduction to Music Therapy | 2 |
| MUA 1– | Principal Applied Instrument | 2 |
| MUA 121 | Class Piano* | 1 |
| MUA 150…169 | Ensemble of choice | 1 |
| MUA 010 | Music Convocation | 0 |
| EN 101 | Freshman Composition | 3 |
| Choice | One 3 or 4 hour required academic course | 3 or 4 |
| *After placement audition, MUS 123 or MUA 271 may be substituted | ||
| (16 or 17 hrs. total) |
Students interested in pursuing a B.M. in Music Therapy with a Piano Principal should register for the following courses:
| Course | Title | Credit |
| MUS 115 | Music Theory I | 4 |
| MUS 180 | Introduction to Music Therapy | 2 |
| MUA 171 | Principal Applied Piano | 2 |
| MUA 150…169 | Ensemble of choice | 1 |
| MUA 010 | Music Convocation | 0 |
| EN 101 | Freshman Composition | 3 |
| Choice | One 3 or 4 hour required academic course | 3 or 4 |
| (15 or 16 hrs. total) |
NOTE: Students will not be allowed to register for more than 17 hours in a term. Because of the varying number of credit hours for required courses which must be sequenced in a particular order, a student should plan to take three 3-4 credit hour courses during summer(s) at some point in the college career.