 Music Therapy is a field for those who wish to combine a love of music with the desire to work in a helping profession. The Music Therapy Program at the University of North Dakota is competency-based, and designed to produce highly skilled, entry-level music therapists who will meet the requirements for licensure by the American Music Therapy Association. The program combines classroom study with clinical training, giving students supervised practical experience in a variety of community settings.
The curriculum includes applied lessons, courses in music theory and history, guitar, keyboard skills, voice, participation in ensembles, and courses in music therapy and related fields like psychology, and education. In addition to course work, students complete supervised clinical practice in the community, interacting with clients of all ages.
Clinical practice sites include residential treatment facilities, adult day treatment programs, geriatric centers, schools, and preschool programs. In addition to being supervised by a board certified music therapist, students generally work in a multidisciplinary environment with other professionals.
What is Music Therapy?
Music Therapy is the clinical use of music to effect therapeutic change in five developmental areas: socialization, cognition, communication, sensory integration and motor planning.
Because music making is fun and engaging for people of all ages, it can be used therapeutically to practice and teach many nonmusical skills such as:
- motor planning and coordination
- sequencing multi-step cognitive tasks
- following directions and making choices
- increasing attention span
- learning important social skills
- developing an outlet for creative expression
- improving sound localization, and auditory discrimination
Where Do Music Therapists Work?
Music Therapists work in a variety of clinical settings including, psychiatric facilities, general hospitals, skilled nursing and intermediate care homes, child and adolescent treatment centers, schools, day treatment centers and hospice programs.
 Who Becomes a Music Therapist?
If you......
- have a genuine interest in people
- have a desire to help others
- are empathetic and patient
- are creative and imaginative
- are open to new ideas
- and have strong applied music skills
........then Music Therapy may be for you!
For further information about the UND Music Therapy Program, please contact
Therese Costes, Director of Music Therapy
Important links:
The American Music Therapy Association www.musictherapy.org
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