Music Therapy - BS

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Caine College of the Arts

Department of Music

About This Degree

Utah State offers the only music therapy program in the state of Utah, and the program is one of only five in the western United States.

USU employs top music therapy educators who attract students from around the world. USU music therapy graduates have a 100% pass rate on the national board certification exam and 100% job placement, as music therapists are in high demand across the nation. Graduates also have excellent internship placement at nationally competitive sites throughout the country. A degree in music therapy prepares students for an established healthcare profession that uses music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals of all ages.

Music therapists can improve the quality of life for people who are healthy as well as children and adults with illnesses or disabilities. They help others manage stress, alleviate pain, express feelings, enhance memory, improve communication, and improve health through music therapy practices.

For more information about Music Therapy, see the department website.
Admitted and current students must meet with an advisor.
Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
The highest math requirement for this degree is STAT 1040 - Introduction to Statistics (QL) or STAT 1045 - Introduction to Statistics with Elements of Algebra (QL) or STAT 1080 - Foundations of Data Science (QL) .

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits: 120
Credits of C- or better: 100
Total credits taken at USU: 30
Credits of upper-division courses required for the major taken at USU: 10
Minimum Grade Point Average (many majors require a higher GPA): 2.0 GPA
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above): 40
Upper-division credits taken at USU: 20
General Education Requirements
University Studies Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements For This Program

New freshmen:
- Admitted to USU in Good Standing
- Acceptance into the Music Therapy major based on competitive selection through audition/interview process.
- 3.00 GPA
Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU:
- Admitted to USU in Good Standing
- Acceptance into the Music Therapy major based on competitive selection through audition/interview process.
- 3.00 GPA

Notes:

All individual instruction courses must be passed with a grade of B- or better. All music therapy courses (MUSC prefix) must be passed with a grade of B or better. All other music courses must be passed with a grade of C or better. Music requires a 3.0 GPA in music classes and 3.0 GPA overall for admission as transfer student and for scholarship eligibility.

Students must complete the General Education Requirements .

STAT 1040 or STAT 1045 or STAT 1080 is required for the Music Therapy major for Quantitative Literacy (QL) .

Students must also complete the University Studies Depth Requirements.

MUSC 3190 and MUSC 4320 will fulfill the Communications Intensive (CI) requirement.
PSY 3010 is suggested for fulfilling the Quantitative Intensive (QI) requirement.
Complete at least 2 credits in approved 3000-level or above courses from each of the following two categories: Depth Life and Physical Sciences (DSC) and Depth Social Sciences (DSS) .

BS Music Therapy Music Core Curriculum (33 credits)

A grade of C or better is required for all Music Therapy Music Core Curriculum courses.

MUSC 1105 - Fundamentals for Music Majors (BCA) 3 credit(s)
MUSC 1110 - Music Theory I (BCA) 3 credit(s)
MUSC 1120 - Music Theory II 3 credit(s)
MUSC 1130 - Aural Skills I 1 credit(s)
MUSC 1140 - Aural Skills II 1 credit(s)
MUSC 1170 - Keyboard Harmony I 1 credit(s)
MUSC 1180 - Keyboard Harmony II 1 credit(s)
MUSC 1190 - World Music 3 credit(s)
MUSC 2110 - Music Theory III 3 credit(s)
MUSC 2130 - Aural Skills III 1 credit(s)
MUSC 2180 - Computer Applications in Music Proficiency Exam 1 credit(s)
MUSC 3110 - Music History I: Antiquity through the Renaissance 3 credit(s)
MUSC 3120 - Music History II: The Baroque and Classical Periods 3 credit(s)
MUSC 3170 - Special Topics in Music Theory 3 credit(s)
MUSC 3190 - Music History III: Romanticism through the 21st Century (CI) 3 credit(s)

Music Therapy Requirements

Individual instruction courses on major instrument must be passed with a grade of B- or higher. All music therapy courses (MUSC prefix) must be passed with a grade of B or better. All other music courses must be passed with a grade of C or better. Music requires a 3.0 GPA in music classes and 3.0 GPA overall for admission as a transfer student and for scholarship eligibility.

MUSC 2/3/4XXX Large Ensemble (2 credits minimum)
Individual Instruction

Music Therapy majors must take 4 semesters of juried instruction on their major instrument.

Register for 1 credit of pre-music individual instruction on your major instrument for the first and second semesters of study. (2 credits at the Pre-music 1000-level required.)
MUSC 1225 - Individual Pre-Music Harp Instruction 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 1484 - Individual Pre-Music Piano Instruction for Music Therapy Majors 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 1485 - Individual Pre-Music Piano Instruction 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 1515 - Individual Pre-Major Cello Instruction 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 1525 - Individual Pre-Music Viola Instruction 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 1535 - Individual Pre-Music Violin Instruction 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 1545 - Individual Pre-Music String Bass Instruction 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 1585 - Individual Pre-Music Guitar Instruction 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 1635 - Individual Pre-Music Voice Instruction 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 1705 - Individual Pre-Music Flute Instruction 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 1715 - Individual Pre-Music Oboe Instruction 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 1725 - Individual Pre-Music Clarinet Instruction 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 1735 - Individual Pre-Music Bassoon Instruction 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 1745 - Individual Pre-Music Saxophone Instruction 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 1815 - Individual Pre-Music Trumpet Instruction 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 1825 - Individual Pre-Music Trombone Instruction 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 1835 - Individual Pre-Music French Horn Instruction 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 1845 - Individual Pre-Music Tuba/Euphonium Instruction 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 1855 - Individual Pre-Music Percussion Instruction 1-3 credit(s)
Register for 1 credit of individual pre-barrier instruction on major instrument the third semester of study. (1 credit at the Pre-barrier 2000-level required.)
MUSC 2225 - Individual Pre-Barrier Harp Instruction 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 2494 - Individual Pre-Barrier Piano Instruction for Music Therapy Majors 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 2495 - Individual Pre-Barrier Piano Instruction 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 2505 - Individual Pre-Barrier String Bass Instruction 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 2525 - Individual Pre-Barrier Cello Instruction 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 2535 - Individual Pre-Barrier Viola Instruction 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 2545 - Individual Pre-Barrier Violin Instruction 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 2595 - Individual Pre-Barrier Guitar Instruction 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 2645 - Individual Pre-Barrier Voice Instruction 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 2755 - Individual Pre-Barrier Flute Instruction 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 2765 - Individual Pre-Barrier Oboe Instruction 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 2775 - Individual Pre-Barrier Clarinet instruction 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 2785 - Individual Pre-Barrier Bassoon Instruction 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 2795 - Individual Pre-Barrier Saxophone Instruction 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 2855 - Individual Pre-Barrier Trumpet Instruction 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 2865 - Individual Pre-Barrier Trombone Instruction 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 2875 - Individual Pre-Barrier French Horn Instruction 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 2885 - Individual Pre-Barrier Tuba/Euph Instruction 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 2895 - Individual Pre-Barrier Percussion Instruction 1-3 credit(s)
Register for 1 credit of individual instruction on major instrument for fourth semester of study. (1 credit at the major 3/4000-level required.)
MUSC 3210 - Individual Harp Instruction for Music Majors 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 3445 - Individual Piano Instruction for Music Therapy Majors 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 3450 - Individual Piano Instruction for Music Majors 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 3480 - Individual Organ Instruction for Music Majors 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 3550 - Individual Guitar Instruction for Music Majors 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 3670 - Individual Vocal Instruction for Music Majors 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 3710 - Individual Flute Instruction for Music Majors 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 3720 - Individual Oboe Instruction for Music Majors 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 3730 - Individual Clarinet Instruction for Music Majors 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 3740 - Individual Bassoon Instruction for Music Majors 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 3750 - Individual Saxophone Instruction for Music Majors 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 3810 - Individual Trumpet Instruction for Music Majors 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 3820 - Individual Trombone Instruction for Music Majors 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 3830 - Individual French Horn Instruction for Music Majors 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 3840 - Individual Tuba/Euphonium Instruction for Music Majors 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 3860 - Individual Percussion Instruction for Music Majors 1-3 credit(s)
MUSC 4510 - Individual Violin Instruction for Music Majors 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 4520 - Individual Viola Instruction for Music Majors 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 4530 - Individual Cello Instruction for Music Majors 1-2 credit(s)
MUSC 4540 - Individual String Bass Instruction for Music Majors 1-2 credit(s)
Additional Individual Instruction in Piano, Voice, and Guitar (up to 4 credits). Music Therapy majors will be individually advised whether additional instruction in Piano, Voice, and/or Guitar are required to achieve proficiency. Please work with your advisor for course options.

Additional Required Courses:
BIOL 2320 - Human Anatomy 4 credit(s)
HDFS 1500 - Human Development Across the Lifespan (BSS) 3 credit(s)
MUSC 1310 - Introduction to Music Therapy 2 credit(s)
MUSC 1320 - Music Therapy Group Ensemble Facilitation 1 credit(s)
MUSC 1800 - Percussion Techniques 1 credit(s)
MUSC 2310 - Music Therapy Treatment I 2 credit(s)
MUSC 2320 - Music Therapy Treatment II 2 credit(s)
MUSC 2350 - Conducting 2 credit(s)
MUSC 3310 - Music Therapy With Diverse Clinical Populations 3 credit(s)
MUSC 3320 - Psychology of Music 2 credit(s)
MUSC 3331 - Music Therapy Practicum: Field Experience I 1 credit(s)
MUSC 3332 - Music Therapy Practicum: Field Experience II 2 credit(s)
MUSC 3333 - Music Therapy Practicum: Field Experience III 3 credit(s)
MUSC 3334 - Music Therapy Practicum: Field Experience IV 3 credit(s)
MUSC 4310 - Music Therapy with Adult Populations 3 credit(s)
MUSC 4320 - Research in Music Therapy (CI) 2 credit(s)
MUSC 4330 - Clinical and Professional Issues in Music Therapy 3 credit(s)
MUSC 4340 - Internship in Music Therapy 2 credit(s)
PSY 1010 - General Psychology (BSS) 3 credit(s)
STAT 1040 - Introduction to Statistics (QL) 3 credit(s) or
STAT 1045 - Introduction to Statistics with Elements of Algebra (QL) 5 credit(s) or
STAT 1080 - Foundations of Data Science (QL) 3 credit(s)

Music Therapy Behavioral Elective Courses (9 credits)

Music Therapy students must earn a minimum of 9 credits of Behavioral Health/Natural Sciences electives from the list of courses below, or courses approved by the Music Therapy Program Director. These courses can be leveraged to satisfy many of the requirements for the Psychology minor. Please see the Psychology - Minor requirements in this catalog for details.

COMD 3010 - American Sign Language I (CI) 4 credit(s)
COMD 3200 - Child Language Development 3 credit(s)
HDFS 2400 - Couple and Family Relationships (BSS) 3 credit(s)
HDFS 3100 - Abuse and Neglect in Family Context 3 credit(s)
PSY 1100 - Lifespan Development 3 credit(s)
PSY 1400 - Analysis of Behavior: Basic Principles 3 credit(s)
PSY 2300 - Psychological Disorders 3 credit(s)
PSY 3120 - Abuse, Neglect, and the Psychological Dimensions of Intimate Violence (DSS) 3 credit(s)
PSY 3460 - Neuroscience I 3 credit(s)
PSY 3510 - Social Psychology (DSS) 3 credit(s)
PSY 3700 - Mental Health Advocacy and Awareness 3 credit(s)
PSY 4210 - Personality Theory (DSS) 3 credit(s)
PSY 4230 - Psychology of Gender (DSS) 3 credit(s)
SOC 1010 - Introductory Sociology (BSS) 3 credit(s)
SOC 2370 - Sociology of Gender (BSS) 3 credit(s)
SOC 3010 - Social Inequality (DSS) 3 credit(s)

Recital and Concert Attendance Requirement

To graduate, students are required to attend a minimum of 80 concerts or recitals. Recital and concert attendance is monitored and recorded in the Music Student Services office. Students should turn in programs after attending concerts and recitals for documentation of attendance.

Licensure Notification

This program typically leads to licensure and was designed to meet licensing qualifications in the state of Utah. If students wish to work in another state within the United States, they should review the qualifications for that state and the Education Licensure Compliance Table provided by School of Teacher Education and Leadership.

For more information, please contact the School of Teacher Education and Leadership at https://cehs.usu.edu/teal/

Open Electives

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your  Academic Advisor for details.

Total Credits: 120

Suggested Degree Map

Music Therapy BS - 4-Year Degree Map