The Music Therapy Program offers a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy degree or, for the person who already has a degree with a music major, a Certification Qualification (non-degree) track. Both prepare people to enter the field of music therapy, a clinical practice health care discipline. The curriculum has been approved by the American Music Therapy Association and completion confers eligibility to take the national certification examination given by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. Board Certified Music Therapists (MT-BC’s) practice throughout the U.S. in a wide variety of settings serving people of all ages who have challenges or adaptive needs which interfere with full independence.
The B.M. in Music Therapy requires four academic years of coursework (music major requirements, General Studies requirements, music therapy course and clinical requirements) plus an additional six-month full time internship. Established in 1985, over 100 graduates have found satisfying careers in music therapy, both in Alabama and across the country. Music therapy majors participate in all aspects of the School of Music, including scholarship opportunities.
The Certification Qualification program allows a person with a music degree to complete courses and clinical work, including internship, required for the Board Certification examination. Eligibility for this program consists of having earned a music degree in a school of music affiliated with the National Association of Schools of Music, of demonstrating current skills and competencies in musical performance and accompaniment, and of acceptance following an interview with a professional music therapist. In certain cases, a person who holds a bachelors degree in a related field which includes a minor in music may be admitted.
Dr. Carol Prickett and Dr. Andrea Cevasco share teaching responsibilities for Music Therapy courses and clinical work, as well as advising responsibilities to guide majors through the curriculum. Music therapy majors are involved in a music therapy course every semester, allowing students to develop skills across time and to verify their commitment to this work. Courses and clinical work build on each other sequentially so that therapeutic techniques can be mastered. The six-month internship is an exciting opportunity to pull together all that has been learned in classes and in clinical practica to polish and expand professionalism.
Prospective music therapists are welcome to meet with Dr. Prickett and Dr. Cevasco to explore this curriculum and to get questions answered. Acceptance into all music degrees is based on a performance audition and on demonstration of basic musical knowledge.
Complete information can be found at www.musictherapy.ua.edu.
Music Therapy Faculty