Music Therapy Major

Mission Statement

The Music Program at Carroll University strives to provide excellent instruction and varied musical performing opportunities to music majors, minors, and non-majors, and offer musical experiences to both the Carroll University community and the wider public. We aim to produce graduates who are versatile, collaborative, and well prepared for careers in music education, music therapy, and other arts-related fields. Our teaching approach combines traditional classroom instruction with practical, hands-on experiences to ensure that students develop a comprehensive set of skills. We are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and nurturing learning environment for all students and exposing our students to music from diverse cultures, composers, and styles.

Music Therapy Mission

The Music Therapy Program at Carroll University seeks to develop individuals with musical sensitivity and performance proficiency, an understanding of the principles and goals of music therapy, and a complete clinical training in the techniques of therapeutic practice in preparation for the music therapy board certification exam and a career as a qualified Board Certified Music Therapist.

Music Therapy Goals

• Preparation for Professional Practice - Professional preparation requires the development of knowledge, skills, and abilities through education, supervision, and pre-professional experiences.
• Musical Development - Musical development is the acquisition of music knowledge, aesthetic sensitivity, and skills relevant to music therapy, and the application of those skills to clinical practice.
• Personal Development of the Therapist - Personal development involves becoming self-aware and actively seeking to further develop the self.
• Clinical Experience - Clinical experience involves observation and provision of music therapy services under the direct supervision of a certified music therapist. The student learns music therapy techniques to meet clients musically and clinically, demonstrating basic knowledge of assessment, treatment, documentation, and evaluation; communicates empathy and establishes therapeutic relationships; and demonstrates understanding of ethical principles and current standards of practice.

Progression Standards for Music Therapy Program

1. A cumulative GPA of 2.75 and satisfactory completion of the piano, guitar, and voice proficiency exams is required for admission to the professional phase (junior and senior years) of the program.
2. A student must maintain a cumulative university GPA and a semester GPA of 2.75 throughout the professional phase. A student who gets below a 2.75 cumulative and/or session GPA will be placed on academic probation for the following semester. To have the probationary status removed, a student must attain a 2.75 session GPA or higher in subsequent semesters.
3. If a student fails to attain a 2.75 session GPA, s/he will be dismissed from the program.
4. Grades of C or better are required in all music therapy (MTY designation) courses. A satisfactory (S) is required in all completed practica. If a grade below a C is achieved or an S is not achieved, the student may not progress to subsequent courses in the program until the course is successfully repeated.
5. A course may be repeated only one time. A student receiving a D, F, or U twice in music therapy courses (including practica) will be dismissed from the program.
6. When repeating a professional phase music therapy course, a student may be required to successfully complete ancillary learning experiences or clinical competencies/practica that validate theoretical knowledge.
7. The piano, guitar, and voice proficiency exams will only be administered once per semester. They may be repeated as often as necessary.

Reapplication Policy for Dismissed Music Therapy Students

The policy on reapplication defines the process by which students may seek readmission to the Music Therapy Program following a dismissal of the student from the program for failing to maintain good academic standing. Readmission candidates may apply for readmission to the program no sooner than one year and no later than three years from the date of the dismissal. Readmission candidates may exercise their reapplication option only once. Readmission candidates applying to the program must submit the materials required and shall be considered with all new applicants for admission. In addition, they must provide transcripts relating to any education experiences completed since leaving the program. A letter indicating why the readmission candidate believes s/he will succeed academically and technically in the program must accompany the application materials. Upon review of the materials, the program’s admission selection committee may render the following decisions: 1) Approval of the request for readmission to the program, or 2) Denial of the request for readmission to the program.