Undergraduate
Western Michigan University has the oldest active music therapy program in the state, educating music therapy students since 1958. The WMU undergraduate music therapy program is a 126 credit hour Bachelor of Music in music therapy degree. Our program prepares students with the clinical and musical skills needed for future work with diverse clinical populations across a variety of settings. Through class and practicum experiences, students learn leadership, facilitation, advocacy, and collaborative skills to thrive in clinical work.
WMU's music therapy program stresses the application of music therapy procedures through structured observation of music therapy sessions. Clinical work is guided by client needs and supported by current research to drive therapeutic outcomes.
To be admitted into Western's music therapy program, you must successfully complete the School of Music's audition and testing program, held each November, January, February, and March.
First year experience:
- Learn about different settings music therapists work in professionally
- Learn about typical goals and interventions that are implemented
- Observe board-certified music therapists
- Learn how to observe client behavior and take data without disrupting sessions
Second year experience:
- Learn music therapy techniques for child and adolescent populations
- Learn music therapy techniques for adult and older adult populations
- Practice implementing music therapy techniques with clients within the community
- Apply and complete an MT competency assessment for admission into the upper level practicum courses at the end of the year
Third year experience:
- Provide music therapy services (assess, treat, document, and evaluate) under the supervision of a board-certified music therapist to two different clinical placements
- Apply research to clinical practice
- Learn and experience the therapeutic process
- Learn and experience clinical improvisation
Fourth year experience:
- Provide music therapy services (assess, treat, document, and evaluate) under the supervision of a board-certified music therapist at two different clinical placements
- Apply research to clinical practice
- Learn theoretical foundations of music therapy practice
- Learn about counseling theories
- Develop marketing materials
Internship – Students complete a 6-month full-time clinical field experience to fulfill their degree requirements and be eligible for board-certification through the Certification Board for Music Therapists.
Faculty areas of expertise include:
- Autism
- Behavioral health
- Clinical musicianship
- Developmental disabilities
- Hospice
- Improvisation
- Inpatient psychiatric (developmental disabilities, general, and forensic)
- Pediatric medical
- Older adults
- Oncology
- Use of technology
Program highlights:
- On-site Music Therapy Clinic located within the WMU Unified Clinics
- Practicum placements within 30 medical and educational facilities within the greater Kalamazoo community for many different areas of clinical specialization
Graduates of the WMU Music Therapy program:
- Enjoy a very high success rate in securing professional employment in music therapy
- Typically score above the national average on the board certification exam that is administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists