MASTER OF MUSIC THERAPY (M.M.T.)

The Master of Music Therapy degree advances students from competencies achieved in undergraduate studies to competencies which are in-depth, analytic, interdisciplinary, and global. The program prepares students as clinicians, scholars, and leaders in the profession of Music Therapy. Graduate education provides the opportunity to acquire an advanced theoretical, research, and practical base for meeting the changing needs, nationally and internationally, of the people served by Music Therapists. Students may choose to focus on a specific area of concentration. The program is offered in an asynchronous learning format designed specifically to meet the needs of music therapists whose practice, family, or other life commitments may preclude the possibility of study on a full-time basis in a fixed time and geographic place. By means of on line education, teleconferencing and videoconferencing, this program permits the establishment of virtual collaborative learning communities not limited by geographic constraints. On-campus visits twice per semester and one intensive summer residency are mandatory as part of the degree program.

ACCREDITATION AND AFFILIATIONS

The Master of Music Therapy Degree Program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and approved by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).

CHANGE IN TUITION RATE:

All students accepted in the Master of Music Therapy Program are eligible for in-state tuition. (This does not apply to Equivalency students.)

REGULAR ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS (If taking the GRE before August, 2011)

Depending on the admission test one selects, the following formula is used to determine eligibility for regular admission:

GRE score (verbal + quantitative) + [GPA (upper division) X 100] = 1200 or more (40 points)
MAT score (minimum 385) + [GPA (upper division) X 100] = 700 or more (40 points)

In addition to meeting the formula for admission, applicants must:

Have an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. (20 points)
In person or video interview and audition (submitted with application). (30 points)
Have completed a bachelor’s degree in music therapy, including an internship in an approved program, or have completed a degree equivalency program, including an internship in an approved program.
Show evidence of certification with the CBMT or evidence of completion of internship.
Provide 2 letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references (10 points)
Have access to a computer with Internet connection. Due to rapid changes, specific computer system requirements will be specified upon acceptance.

Regular admission 60 points and above

If taking the GRE after August 2011, the following regular admission requirements apply:

GRE score (Verbal & Qualitative) + [GPA (upper division) x 100] = 620 or more (40 points) or MAT score (minimum 385) + [GPA (upper division x 100) = 700 or more (40 points)
Have an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. (20 points)
In-person or video interview and audition submitted with application (30 points)
Provide 2 letters of recommendation (10 points)

Regular admission 60 points and above.

PROVISIONAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Students will be eligible for provisional admission in the following circumstances:

GRE score (verbal + quantitative) + [GPA (upper division) X 100] = 1100 to 1199
MAT score (minimum 385) + [GPA (upper division) X 100] = 660-669

Admission scores lower than 60 points (see regular admission criteria).

To gain regular admission, provisional students must complete 12 hours of graduate coursework at GC with no less than a “B” in each course approved by the Graduate Coordinator and by the Chair of the Music Therapy Department.

Admission to the Music Therapy Program is highly competitive and may be limited based on availability of qualified faculty and maintaining student to faculty ratios required by accreditation standards. All students may not be admitted.

Many agencies where clinical and practical experiences take place require students to undergo a criminal background check, urine drug screens and to meet the CDC standards for immunizations for health care professionals. Students desiring to enter a Music Therapy Program should consider these requirements. Agencies may refuse any student based on inability to meet these guidelines or other agency guidelines. Refusal of an agency to accept a student may delay or prevent a student from completing a program. Certification agencies may also refuse to license individuals who have committed certain criminal acts or other acts of moral turpitude.

If taking the GRE after August 2011, the following Provisional admission requirements apply:

Admission scores lower than 60 points (see regular admission criteria).

To gain regular admission, provisional students must complete 12 hours of graduate coursework at GC with no less than a "B" in each course approved by the Graduate Coordinator and by the Chair of the Music Therapy Department.

REQUIREMENTS OF INTERVIEW AND AUDITION (IN PERSON OR VIA VIDEO)

Interview:

Discuss your motivation for applying to GC Master of Music Therapy Program.
Discuss your previous experiences in Music Therapy or other helping professions.
Discuss your professional and/or clinical areas of interest.
Discuss your experience in areas of research.

Audition:

Perform three (3) pieces using guitar and singing while playing. Should demonstrate a variety of picking styles and chord structures. Minimum of three (3) different chords and demonstration of barr chords*
Perform three (3) pieces using piano and singing while playing. Should demonstrate a variety of accompaniment patterns. Minimum of three (3) different chords.
Perform two (2) pieces on principle instrument.

Selections should reflect a variety of genres (including but not limited to classical, popular, jazz, and different eras).

If no guitar experience, please state this during the audition and use another accompanying instrument. Examples include: autoharp, QChord, ukulele

ACADEMIC DISMISSAL POLICY

A graduate student will be placed on graduate academic probation if the student's institutional graduate grade point average falls below a 3.00 at any point during his or her graduate studies.

A graduate student will be dismissed if the student is placed on academic probation for more than one semester, receives more than one C during his or her graduate studies, or fails to comply with policy, procedures, and expectations as defined in the current version of the Master of Music Therapy Graduate Handbook.

EQUIVALENCY/MASTER ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Students may be admitted jointly to the Degree Equivalency/Master of Music Therapy Program. The Degree Equivalency Program must be completed on the GC campus and consists of undergraduate preparatory music therapy courses. Courses for the Master of Music Therapy Program may be taken concurrently and are limited the first academic year to MUST 5000 and supportive field courses.

Students must:

Be eligible for admission to the Degree Equivalency Program (See undergraduate catalog for requirements)
Have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.00 scale
Have successfully completed the GRE, or MAT according to guidelines above.

In addition to meeting the formula for admission, applicants must:

In person or video interview and audition (submitted with application). * See above requirements.
Have completed a bachelor's degree in a music related field.
Provide 2 letters of recommendation from academic and/or professional references.
Have access to a computer with Internet connection. Due to rapid changes, specific computer system requirements will be specified upon acceptance.

PROGRAM OF STUDY


CORE MUSIC THERAPY COURSES		20 semester hours
MUST 5000	Music Therapists and Technology	(3 semester hours) On-line
MUST 5110	Gender and Cultural Issues in Music Therapy	(3 semester hours) On-line
MUST 5120	Qualitative Research in Creative Arts Therapies	(3 semester hours) On-line
MUST 5130	Quantitative Research in the Creative Arts Therapies	(3 semester hours) On-line
MUST 5 210 or MUST 5600A	Music and the Exceptional Child Independent Study In Music Therapy	(3 semester hours) Campus (3 semester hours) On-line
MUST 5 981	Study Abroad	(1-3 semester hours) (May substitute for a supportive field course)
MUST 5 600	A-C: Independent Study in Music Therapy	(1-3 semester hours) On-line
MUST 5 300	Graduate Seminars: Special Topics in Music Therapy	(on-campus summer) (3 semester hours)
Post course Requirements		1 semester hour
MUST 6490	Comprehensive Exam	(0 semester hours)
MUST 6 600	Thesis	(1-6 semester hours) or
MUST 6500	Graduate Clinical Project	(1-6 semester hours)
MUST 6 610	Project or Thesis Defense	(0 semester hours)
Supportive Field Courses		9 semester hours

A minimum of 9 credits from supportive field areas, selected in consultation with advisor (i.e., Health Sciences, Psychology, Sociology, Special Education, Women’s Studies, Administration, Business). All courses must be graduate level.

These courses may be taken on the GC campus or transferred from other colleges or universities. No more than 9 semester hours of supportive field courses may be transferred from another institution.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Developmental Disabilities and Special Education

Mental/Physical Health

Women’s Issues

Multicultural/International

General/Administration

Courses required in the M.M.T. degree program must be completed within a period of 6 years from the date the student begins taking courses at Georgia College & State University. Courses completed more than 6 years prior to completion of the requirements for the MMT degree will be regarded as outdated and will not be applied toward the degree program. This includes courses that may be transferred in from other institutions.

STEPS IN COMPLETING THE MASTER OF MUSIC THERAPY

Submit a complete application for graduate study and all supporting documents to the Graduate Admissions Office
Consult with the faculty advisor for development of a program of study and area of concentration
Complete courses with 3.0 GPA
Complete the comprehensive written examination
Choose a graduate committee
Submit a proposal for the clinical project or thesis
Complete the Final Clinical Project or Thesis defense
Submit a written application for graduation by the date specified in the official University Calendar.

THESIS/FINAL CLINICAL PROJECT GRADUATE COMMITTEE

After successful completion of the written comprehensive examination, the student will choose a graduate committee to include the student’s advisor, one professor from GC Music Therapy Department and one professor or professional from any supportive field area. This committee will review the proposal for the thesis or clinical project and upon acceptance of the proposal the thesis or clinical project may be implemented. The student will arrange the defense meeting with the committee when the thesis or clinical project is completed.