Music Therapy

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.

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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About Our Music Therapy Degree

General Information

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:

Psychologist
Counselor
Music director
Music teacher
Music therapist

Prerequisites

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

Core Requirements

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.

Major Requirements

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.

College of Arts and Sciences

Program Rankings and Highlights

100%

of 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 for the CBMT Certification Exam.

Student Success

“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

Academic Support

Post-Baccalaureate Music Therapy Equivalency Certificate

College of Arts and Sciences

Meet Our Faculty

Professors. Mentors. Friends. At Valparaiso University, you will work on real-life problems alongside faculty leaders with decades of business experience and a true desire to do what’s best for you.

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