BM Music Therapy at University of Iowa
Undergraduate students enroll as freshmen or transfer students and complete School of Music requirements for a Bachelor of Music degree while concurrently fulfilling professional certification requirements for music therapy. Coursework includes music courses such as theory, history, lessons, and ensembles, as well as courses in psychology, anatomy, research, and general education.
Fundamental courses in music theory, lessons on a major instrument, and general education courses make up the majority of classes in the freshman and sophomore year. Students are encouraged to also take Orientation to Music Therapy (MUS:1687) in the freshman year as an introduction to the profession. Students must receive a grade of "C+" or higher in this class in order to qualify for subsequent music therapy courses.
Once accepted into the program, students take Music Foundations in Therapy I and II their sophomore year. In these courses, students work on developing their musicianship, including how to play guitar and other social instruments.
Most core courses in music therapy are taken in the junior and senior years. Over a period of two years, students gradually move from observation of music therapy sessions to direct, supervised clinical experiences with clients in a variety of treatment settings. After academic coursework has been fulfilled, students complete a six-month internship at one of several hundred approved clinical sites off campus.