BM Music Therapy at University of Miami
The curriculum for the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Therapy is built upon the clinical and research paradigm known as Neurologic Music Therapy (NMT). This model utilizes scientific evidence regarding the influence of music on the human brain and behavior function to treat neurological, developmental, and medical needs.
The Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Therapy at the Frost School of Music is designed to help students acquire basic clinical competencies. Upon completion of coursework, students enter a six-month, full-time clinical internship. When the internship requirement has been met, candidates are eligible to take the board certification examination in music therapy and begin practice as a clinician.
Being a competent music therapist requires a solid foundation in all areas of music. Consequently, approximately half of the total credit hours required for the degree are allotted to studying music and acquiring specific musical skills.
Using music effectively as a therapeutic medium is based on knowing how the human brain and body process musical information. Through these interactive and experiential courses, students learn about the theory and research that supports the use of music in therapy. In addition, students have multiple opportunities to practice and refine their clinical skills. Before leaving campus to complete the internship, students take five semesters of practicum, which involves working with different clinical populations in the community. All clinical experiences are carefully supervised by board-certified music therapists.