Music Therapy
Music therapy is an allied health profession in which music interventions are used in an interactive clinical process between a music therapist and the people being served to address their therapeutic needs.
The CSUN music therapy program is an evidence-based curriculum that consists of both didactic and experiential courses that develop the students’ creative, intellectual, and intuitive skills. Students gain hands-on experience through hypothetical and experiential clinical cases to successfully prepare for delivering therapeutic music services. The program is designed to cultivate students’ understanding of music, human development and exceptionality, clinical practice, and the music therapy process.
Through coursework and a six-month internship, music therapy students are expected to demonstrate progress toward the American Music Therapy Association Professional Competencies. The CSUN music therapy program is approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and the National Association for Schools of Music (NASM). The CSUN Music Therapy Program was established in 1984 by Professor Ron Borczon who directed the program for 38 years. Professor Hilary Yip is the current Director of the program.
- CSUN Media Release: CSUN Music Therapy Program Produces Successful Music Therapists for 40 Years (11-18-2024)
Music therapy faculty include:
- Hilary Yip
- Helen Dolas
- Ron Borczon
Please scroll down for audition information.
Music Therapy Tracks
Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Therapy
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Therapy Option is designed to prepare students for music therapy careers in therapeutic applications of music with a variety of clinical populations. After the completion of music therapy coursework and a six-month internship, students earn a BA degree in Music Therapy Option.
Applicants for the music therapy program will be asked to schedule an audition on their major instrument with the performance faculty and a 15 minute interview for the Music Therapy program with Professor Hilary Yip. You can find audition information about your specific information but going to audition link for your instrument or by starting your music department audition application where you'll be able to input your instrument and get the specific information you need.
During the interview part of the process, applicants will be asked to discuss reasons they want to study music therapy, volunteer experience(s), and what they know about music therapy so far. In addition, applicants will demonstrate voice, guitar, and piano skills by preparing to sing two contrasting styles of popular songs with two different accompaniment instruments (i.e., guitar, piano). Applicants should prepare to sing and accompany themself on guitar as well as sing and accompany themself playing piano. If applicants do not have accompaniment instrumental experience, they can sing a capella or use a recorded instrumental track.
Music Therapy Equivalency Program
The Music Therapy Equivalency Program is designed for individuals who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in music and seek training to become a music therapist. After the completion of music therapy coursework and a six-month internship, equivalency students earn a Music Therapy Certificate.
Completion of the either bachelor’s degree or the equivalency program qualifies students to take the Certification Board for Music Therapists exam to earn the Music Therapist Board Certified (MT-BC) credential.
Graduates of our music therapy programs generally find employment in a variety of settings, including various developmental centers and state facilities in the State of California, private hospitals, adult day health care centers, skilled nursing facilities, and private practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy is the use of music interventions by a credentialed music therapist to promote functional change in physical, cognitive, communication, social, and emotional skills in individuals of all ages and abilities. Music therapy is a creative arts therapy that is based on scientific principles, grounded in research, and has been constantly expanding as a profession since the 1900’s.
Music therapy interventions can be designed to:
- promote wellness
- manage stress
- alleviate pain
- express feelings
- enhance memory
- improve communication
- promote physical rehabilitation
- learn skills for daily living
Some clinical examples of music therapy include:
- improving physical coordination and academic skills of children with disabilities being mainstreamed into schools
- regaining communication and coordination skills in stroke patients
- learning adaptive skills, exploring feelings, and regaining functioning in society for individuals with behavioral, emotional, or mental health diagnoses
Where are Music Therapists Employed?
Music therapists work in schools and centers for individuals with developmental disabilities, general hospitals, children's hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, community mental health centers, juvenile detention and treatment centers, as well as skilled nursing facilities and residential facilities. Music therapists are also involved in special education programs; others work in private practice where they receive referrals from doctors and health agencies to work with individuals.
What are the Attributes of Music Therapists?
Music therapists need to be versatile to be able to adapt to changing circumstances when using music to target functional needs of individual. Music therapists cultivate their creativity, tact, and abilities to adapt to changing circumstances when using music to target functional needs of individuals. Music therapists offer care and emotional support to clients and families and thus must have empathy, compassion, and be open to new ideas. In addition, music therapists convey their clinical and research work clearly through speech and in writing.
Find More Information About Music Therapy
American Music Therapy Association: www.musictherapy.org
Certification Board for Music Therapists: www.cbmt.org
Journal of Music Therapy: https://academic.oup.com/jmt
Music Therapy Perspectives: https://academic.oup.com/mtp
For books on music therapy
Jessica Kingsley https://uk.jkp.com/pages/music-therapy
Barcelona: www.Barcelonapublishers.com
What Does Music Therapy at CSUN Look Like?
The CSUN Music Therapy program emphasizes a competency-based approach to education including courses in music, music therapy, psychology, special education, and general education. Didactic and experiential methods combined with individualized attention allows for consistent developmental growth in students. Students will learn musical, clinical, and therapeutic skills through hands-on training working with a variety of clinical populations in practicums supervised by music therapists in the community, which will prepare students for a music therapy internship. Further, music therapy professionals from around the world serve as guest speakers, providing educational presentations and seminars to further stimulate the growth of students.
Yearly scholarships are available for outstanding music therapy students. Currently, CSUN is the only State University that offers a Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy degree.
What is the Music Therapy Student Organization?
The Music Therapy Association of Northridge (MTAN) is an active student group providing support for Music Therapy students and assisting new students in the program. To learn more about MTAN, visit their Instagram page @csunmusictherapy.
What are the Music Therapy Courses?
- MUS 292 Music Therapy Orientation
- MUS 360/L Functional Music Skills for Therapy and Lab
- MUS 392/L Music in Therapy and Lab
- MUS 477 Music Therapy Practicum
- MUS 491 Psychology of Music
- MUS 492/L The Practice of Music Therapy and Lab
- MUS 390MI Music Therapy Improvisation
- MUS 494 Internship (Music Therapy)
After completing coursework, students are required to complete a six-month music therapy internship at an approved setting. When students finish their internship, they are eligible to sit for the Certification Board for Music Therapists exam to become a Board Certified Music Therapist.
Questions?
Email Director of the Music Therapy Program Hilary Yip, MM, MT-BC at Hilary.Yip@csun.edu
Incoming Freshman
What is the Application, Audition, and Interview Process?
After you apply to CSUN through the Cal State application process you will receive a music department audition application on the platform "acceptD."
After completing an audition on their primary instrument or voice, applicants are scheduled to meet with the Director of the Music Therapy program to interview for the music therapy program. Applicants will be asked to discuss reasons they want to study music therapy as well as demonstrate their musical skills during the interview. Applicants should prepare to sing and play two contrasting styles of popular songs with instrumental accompaniment (e.g., piano, guitar). Applicants who do not have accompaniment instrumental experience may sing a capella or use a recorded instrumental track.
To be accepted as a student in the CSUN music therapy program, applicants must also be accepted as a student to CSUN and to the Music Department.
What is the Length of the Music Therapy Program?
As incoming freshmen, students complete four years of coursework and a six-month music therapy internship to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy Option degree. Completion of the bachelor’s degree qualifies graduates to take the Certification Board for Music Therapists exam to earn the Music Therapist Board Certified (MT-BC) credential.
What Private Music Lessons are Required?
To earn a BA degree, students are required to take four semesters of private lessons on their primary instrument. These lessons are taught by faculty and are part of the curriculum. A recital is not required for the degree.
Transfer Student
What is the Application and Interview Process?
After you apply to CSUN through the Cal State application process you will receive a music department audition application on the platform "acceptD."
After completing an audition on their primary instrument or voice, applicants are scheduled to meet with the Director of the Music Therapy program to interview for the music therapy program. Applicants will be asked to discuss reasons they want to study music therapy as well as demonstrate proficient guitar, piano, and singing skills during the interview. Applicants should prepare to sing and play two contrasting styles of popular songs with guitar and piano accompaniment.
To be accepted as a student in the CSUN music therapy program, applicants must also be accepted as a student to CSUN and to the Music Department.
What is the Length of the Music Therapy Program?
Transfer students typically complete coursework in two years and a six-month music therapy internship to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy Option degree. Completion of the bachelor’s degree qualifies graduates to take the Certification Board for Music Therapists exam to earn the Music Therapist Board Certified (MT-BC) credential.
Who is Eligible for the Music Therapy Equivalency Program?
Individuals who have completed at least a bachelor’s degree in music are eligible to apply for the Music Therapy Equivalency Program.
What is the Application and Interview Process?
Apply to California State University, Northridge: https://www.calstate.edu/apply Select the Graduate-Certificate program. Your application is for the Music Therapy Certificate Program and is not for a graduate program in music. Applications are only accepted for the fall semester.
In January, applicants should email the Director of the Music Therapy Program to schedule an interview for the music therapy program. Applicants will be asked to discuss reasons they want to study music therapy as well as demonstrate proficient guitar, piano, and singing skills during the interview. Applicants should prepare to sing and play two contrasting styles of popular songs with guitar and piano accompaniment.
What is the Length of the Music Therapy Program?
The program is only offered in person. Coursework begins in the fall semester.
Equivalency students complete the two years of undergraduate music therapy coursework and a six-month music therapy internship to earn a Music Therapy Certificate. Completion of the equivalency program qualifies graduates to take the Certification Board for Music Therapists exam to earn the Music Therapist Board Certified (MT-BC) credential.