Music art department

Academics > Curriculum > Graduate

 

Music Therapy at SUNY New Paltz

The Music Therapy program at SUNY New Paltz offers students with a baccalaureate degree in Music the opportunity to study Music Therapy at the advanced level, acquiring musical, clinical, and research skills essential to professional practice.

 

Master of Science in Music Therapy

The master's of science (MS) in Music Therapy program at SUNY New Paltz is approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) to offer the Music Therapy degree and the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions as a program of study leading to candidacy for licensure as a Creative Arts Therapist (LCAT). The program has received final approval for listing from the National Association of Schools of Music, the national accrediting body for schools of music.

Following completion of the 48-credit degree in Music Therapy, students must pass a professional licensing examination and complete 1,500 clock-hours of supervised clinical experience to qualify for licensure as a Create Arts Therapist in New York State.


Admission to the Program

Requirements and Procedures

  1. Baccalaureate degree in Music with a minimum of 60 credits

  2. Passing grade on placement audition for guitar and piano accompaniment competencies

  3. Passing grade on placement audition in vocal performance

  4. Passing grade on placement audition in sight singing

  5. Artistry on a major instrument demonstrated at an in-person (live) audition at SUNY New Paltz. (International applicants may submit a video recording on DVD as a preliminary audition submission.)

  6. 15 credits of undergraduate work including:

    • Introduction to Music Therapy (3)

    • Music Therapy Methods and Materials (3)

    • Psychology of Music (3)

    • Music Therapy Practicum (3)

    • Statistics (3)

 

Required Application Components

  • A completed graduate school application

  • An official transcript of all undergraduate and graduate work providing evidence of a baccalaureate degree in Music (60 credits in Music) from an accredited institution with at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale

  • A typed personal statement that describes the applicant's educational aspirations, experiences in working with persons with special needs, and a description 300 to 400 words in length of the applicant's personal and professional goals. In addition to content, this statement will be assessed as a writing sample with respect to clarity and organization of ideas, grammar, and style.

  • Three letters of professional recommendation written on professional letterhead. All letters should:

    1. be dated and current

    2. address how long the writer has known the applicant and in what capacity

    3. address the applicant's suitability for graduate work in Music Therapy, referring to academic abilities, ability to work with clients and others, and professional commitment

    4. be written by individuals who have a professional relationship with the applicant. At least one letter of recommendation should be written by an academic who has direct knowledge of the applicant's abilities.

Deadlines for application to the Music Therapy master's program can be obtained by contacting the Music Department at: 845-257-2700, or by visiting the Music Department's Web site at:

http://www.newpaltz.edu/music/

 

Program Requirements

  • Completion of all prescribed course work and other requirements within five years of matriculation.

  • Maintain a cumulative average of 3.0 or higher, with no more than two grades below B-.

The Music Therapy program is built around 48 credit hours of course work for students with baccalaureate degrees in Music Therapy or the MT-BC (The Certification Board for Music Therapists). Students with other degrees in Music must complete 15 credits of undergraduate work in Music Therapy. All applicants must meet competencies in sight reading and voice, as well as piano and guitar accompaniment.


Advisement

Successful applicants to the Music Therapy program will be assigned an academic advisor. Newly admitted students should make an appointment with their assigned advisor to develop a Plan of Study as soon as possible.

The comprehensive Plan of Study, developed by the student and their advisor, officially outlines the expected schedule of completion of the degree requirements and course work leading to eligibility for licensure as a Creative Arts Therapist in New York State. Any changes in this Plan of Study will require prior approval from the academic advisor. The advisor is available to assist students throughout their course of study and will serve as a guide during the program. It is important for students to maintain communication with their advisor to facilitate unfettered progress in the program.


Transfer Credit

With the approval of your academic advisor and the dean of the Graduate School, students may transfer up to 9 graduate credits from other institutions. However, credits cannot be transferred after the Plan of Study is approved, except with special (written) permission.

Please note: Courses taken prior to acceptance into the Music Therapy program, even if taken at SUNY New Paltz, may not be fully credited on your Plan of Study.


Registration

Students must meet with their advisor each semester to discuss course work and register for courses as outlined in their individual Plan of Study. Pre-registration for the spring semester occurs in November, and pre-registration for the summer and fall semesters occur in April.


Change of Name and/or Address

It is the responsibility of the student to notify the Music Department office and the Records and Registration office with legal name, address, telephone, and/or email address changes.


Sample Program

The Music Therapy program consists of 48 credit hours for students with baccalaureate degrees in Music Therapy or the MT-BC. Students with other degrees in Music must complete 15 credits of undergraduate work in Music Therapy and meet competencies in sight reading, voice, and piano and guitar accompaniment.

 

Music Therapy Competencies (Undergraduate Pre-requisites) (15 credits)
  • MUS240 - Introduction to Music Therapy (3)
  • MUS340 - Music Therapy Methods and Materials (3)
  • MUS345 - Psychology of Music (3)
  • MUS480 - Music Therapy Practicum (3)
  • Statistics (3)
  • Proficiency Exam in Piano
  • Proficiency Exam in Guitar
  • Proficiency Exam in Voice

 

Music Therapy Graduate Program Core Courses (30 credits)
  • MUS540 - Music Therapy Foundations (3)
  • MUS542 - Music in Counseling (3)
  • MUS543 - Music Therapy for the Elderly (3)
  • MUS544 - Medical Music Therapy Assessment and Treatment (3)
  • MUS545 - Music Therapy in Special Education (3)
  • MUS742 - Music Therapy Research and Program Evaluation (3)
  • MUS745 - Music Therapy Internship I (3)
  • MUS746 - Music Therapy Internship II (3)
  • MUS748 - Thesis Seminar (1)
  • MUS749 - Thesis (2)

 

Music Graduate Program Core Courses (10 credits)
  • MUS541 - Repertoire for Therapy (3)
  • MUS546 - Improvisation for Therapy (3)
  • MUS547 - Advanced Guitar for Therapists and Educators (3)
  • MUS548 - Music Therapy Ensemble (1)

 

Psychology Graduate Program Core Courses (6 credits)
  • PSY527 - Human Growth and Development (3)
  • PSY552 - Psychopathology (3)

 


Elective(s)

May be taken in Music, Music Therapy, Special Education, Sociology, or Psychology (2)