Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy (BM)
- Music, Theatre, and Dance
- The Michael & Dolores Insalaco School of Visual & Performing Arts
- Reap College of Creative and Professional Studies
Fully Accredited
Marywood University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSHE). / ADDRESS / 3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104. | Phone: (267) 284-5000
The Bachelor of Music (BM) in Music Therapy is Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and the American Music Therapy Association.
Be the Best Therapist You Can Be with a Music Therapy Degree from Marywood!
The power of music can remove physical, verbal, and emotional barriers. Music Therapy can truly transform the health and wellness of patients who find new avenues of expression through music. If you want to help change people's lives through music, then a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Therapy from Marywood University is the right choice for you!
Marywood’s Music Therapy program is one of the oldest in the country, established in 1979. Its allied health offerings, including the Music Therapy program, are consistently ranked among the best degree programs in the Northeast and nationally.
You'll be prepared for a professional music therapy career through our competency-based curriculum. Music Therapy degree candidates must complete a minimum of 1,200 hours of clinical training with two components: pre-internship and internship.
- Pre-internship training consists of various practical field experiences with at least three different populations, taken by a student in conjunction with music therapy coursework as a prerequisite for internship placement.
- Internship is the culminating, in-depth, supervised clinical training experience in an entry-level degree in music therapy. Students may choose from the academic institution's roster of affiliated internship programs and the national roster of all AMTA-approved internship sites in collaboration with the music therapy advisor.
Program completion leads to board certification as a music therapist. Following academic studies and required clinical training, candidates are eligible to take the National Board Certification Examination for Music Therapists, designed and administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). The credential earned is Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC). Professional membership is available with the American Music Therapy Association, Inc. (AMTA).
Music therapy student, Briana, shares her university and clinical experience at Marywood University.
Briana Caballero '20 Read All Testimonials
Degree Equivalency in Music Therapy
The equivalency program is regarded as entry-level, and students earn undergraduate credit for courses. The degree equivalency is for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in a related field and seek board certification for professional practice as a music therapist. Prior to beginning the program, the program director designs a course of study with the student, resulting in entry-level competencies in three areas: musical, clinical, and music therapy foundations/principles (AMTA Professional Competencies). The degree equivalency program requires a minimum of three semesters plus a minimum of 1200 internship hours. The internship follows the completion of the core music therapy coursework. Upon successful completion of academic and clinical components, candidates are eligible to take the National Board Certification Examination for Music Therapists (CBMT). The credential awarded is Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC). Professional membership is available with the American Music Therapy Association, Inc. (AMTA).
Outcomes & Opportunities
Top Employers
- Colleges and Universities
- Mental Health Facilities
- Clinical and Doctors' Offices
- School Districts
Top Career Paths
- Institutional Music Therapist
- Private Practice Music Therapist
- Counselor
- Music Therapy Professor
Dig Deeper Into the Program Details
If you have any questions about this program, we're here to help.
Undergraduate Admissions Requirements
- Completed application
- Official transcripts
- Letter of recommendation
- Official SAT and/or ACT test scores (Marywood is test optional)
- Essay (optional)
All Undergraduate & Transfer Students
Acceptance by the University is required before an audition can be scheduled.
- Apply to University. (click “Admissions” for further information).
- FAFSA Deadlines for financial aid: February 15 (fall entry) and November 1 (spring entry).
- For talent scholarship consideration, auditions must be completed by March 1.
- Transfer students must complete a minimum 30 credits in music courses at Marywood. Transfer students in education must have GPA 3.0 minimum for acceptance.
Accompaniment
Instrumental applicants should plan to perform unaccompanied.
An accompanist will be provided for vocal auditions.
General Guidelines for All Auditions
Perform two contrasting works demonstrating technical skills and musicianship. Memorization of vocal audition pieces is strongly recommended.
Skills Assessment
Sight-Singing and Sight-Reading
Sight singing and sight reading are a part of all auditions.
All auditioning students will be asked to take a short music theory test. This test is used only for placement and does not impact acceptance in our programs.
Music Therapy Facilities
Dive into the heart of healing at Marywood University, where our Music Therapy facilities are designed to blend the therapeutic power of music with innovative clinical practice. Our specialized Music Therapy Clinic stands as the centerpiece of our program, offering a dynamic space for students to engage in hands-on learning and provide meaningful therapy sessions under the guidance of experienced professionals.
Rotunda
Map & Directions
The Rotunda, an iconic campus landmark, is part of the Liberal Arts Center. It features historic murals by Roman artist Gonippo Raggi and the Hall of Presidents. The Admissions Office is adjacent to the Rotunda.
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Latour Room
Map & Directions
The Latour Room, located in the Nazareth Student Center, is a large, open multipurpose room with media capabilities occasionally used for music rehearsals and concerts. It accommodates up to 500 people. It is a flexible space, which can accommodate multiple presentation/event formats, with or without tables and chairs.
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Black Box Theatre
2300 Adams AvenueMap & Directions
Black Box Theatre, located on the terrace level of the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts, is a laboratory theatre designed with flex staging to accommodate student-directed productions and to support experimental theatre.
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Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts
2300 Adams AvenueMap & Directions
The Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts is a three-story structure that houses the Music, Theatre, & Dance (MTD) department. The facility includes a 1110-seat performance space which contains a proscenium stage, orchestra pit, dressing rooms, box offices, control room, backstage area and the ability to fly scenery. Other features include sound and lighting boards, a 9-foot Steinway grand piano and 7-foot Steinway grand piano (on stage), a Mason & Hamlin grand piano (orchestra pit), and large Allen electronic organ. The facility also houses several studios, classrooms and practice rooms, a music therapy lab and clinical observation room, recital room, dance studio, electronic music lab, piano lab, and a Black Box Theatre.
Learn More | Take a Virtual Tour
Music Therapy Clinic and Research Lab
2300 Adams AveMap & Directions
The purpose of the Music Therapy Clinic is two-fold, namely, to provide music therapy majors with an educational opportunity for hands on one-on-one clinical experience under the supervision of a board certified-music therapist; and secondly, as an out- reach to those in the community with special needs. The Music Therapy Research Lab (Room 106, first floor) contains biofeedback equipment interfaced on PC (Electromyography/EMG -2 channels), Temperature, Skin Conduction (2 channels). Also included are stand-alone biofeedback instruments: Resp@Rate; OMRON and a Marshall-Auto-Oscillometric Electronic Digital Blood Pressure and Pulse Monitor with Print-Out.
Learn More | Take a Virtual Tour
Scholarships
Marywood University scholarship funds are available to students majoring in music therapy. Presidential and Endowed Scholarships from the University, as well as Talent Scholarships, are awarded to select applicants. In order to be considered for a Talent Scholarship, you must audition by March 1.
Tuition
View Tuition RatesHoffenberg, Dr. Rick
- School Director (Co-Director)
- Associate Professor
- rhoffenberg@marywood.edu
- x2537
Fox, Allison M
- Interim Director, Music Therapy Program
- Instructor of Practice
- amfox@marywood.edu
Pyles, Dr. Timothy A
- Director, Theatre Program
- Associate Professor
- tpyles@marywood.edu
- 570-961-4726
MTD Student Handbook
The information in this handbook is designed to familiarize you with university and department policies specific to the MTD degree programs.
Please save this handbook, as it will provide guidance throughout your studies at Marywood. Bring this handbook to all academic advising sessions.
From #DayOne, Marywood is here for you each step of the way.
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Latest Program News & Events
Admissions Calendar
Fully Accredited
Marywood University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSHE). / ADDRESS / 3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104. | Phone: (267) 284-5000
The Bachelor of Music (BM) in Music Therapy is Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and the American Music Therapy Association.
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