Music Therapy Major Application

Application Procedures

1

Apply to the Music Therapy Program by December 31

Complete all requirements of the Music Therapy Application, with submission no later than December 31.

 
2

Music Therapy In-Person Audition - January 23, 2027

Having received your application by December 31, Emily Ezola, Admissions and Recruitment Coordinator for the USU Music Department, will contact you to schedule the time of your audition and provide you with any additional information you may need to complete your audition. If you are unable to travel to the in-person audition on the Logan Campus, it may be possible to arrange a virtual audition. You will work with Emily to make those arrangements.

Applicants will be asked to perform the following memorized repertoire:

  • A sung popular/contemporary song, accompanied on piano
  • A sung folk or children’s song, accompanied on guitar

Applicants are welcome to use any original composition of their own for these requirements.

 
3

Primary Instrument Performance Audition

In addition to the in-person Music Therapy audition, applicants must also complete a performance audition on their primary instrument (voice, piano, strings, etc.). Please review the audition requirements for your instrument on our website to guide your preparation. Performance auditions should be submitted by video to musicadmissions@usu.edu by the submission due date indicated on the audition requirements page for your primary performing instrument.

Recorded Audition Best Practices

  • Read audition requirements carefully. Select your repertoire with the help of your private instructor, or a trusted ensemble director at your school. If you have any questions about the audition requirements, contact our faculty.
  • Recorded auditions must include both audio and video.
    Dress in audition appropriate attire, similar to what you would wear for a concert or recital. Remove any distractions from the background.
  • Please be sure the lighting in your video is balanced. It may help to turn on lights or stand near a window. On the other hand, you may need to close window blinds or move away from bright lights.
  • Your video frame should capture as much of your body and instrument as possible. Do your best to make sure your hands and face are visible.
  • Do an audio test before you record your audition materials. Be sure to test various dynamic and pitch ranges. You may need to adjust your microphone placement in order to capture the best possible sound.
  • Introduce yourself, your accompanist (if applicable), and the selections you are performing.
  • Make sure your video link is valid and accessible. You may use any video platform that works best for you. We commonly receive links to YouTube videos (can be unlisted, but not private) and Google Drive uploads, to name a few. Double check your video permissions to avoid any access issues.

Application Consideration

General factors considered throughout the application process include (but are not limited to):

  1. Minimum GPA for admission consideration is 3.0
  2. Demonstration of musicianship (vocal and instrumental)
  3. Basic understanding of the music therapy profession
  4. Personal motivation for becoming a music therapist
  5. Previous academic, community, and personal accomplishments

If you have been accepted to Utah State University, and plan to attend in the fall, but are not accepted into the Music Therapy Program, you may still enroll in required General Education courses (see Fall Semester Class Schedule) and re-audition the following year. You may also enroll in Music 1310 - Introduction to Music Therapy, you may need to obtain the instructor’s permission to do so, as this will be determined by space availability.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Resources

The Music Therapy Program only awards scholarships to matriculated music therapy majors. Information regarding these scholarships will be available during the academic year and are generally awarded annually during the spring semester.

Music talent scholarships for your primary instrument may be available at the time of auditions. These are highly competitive, and have individual instruction and ensemble participation requirements. Generally, the voice area considers music therapy majors for scholarships, and the piano, strings, and guitar areas do not. Please contact the respective area program director for information regarding scholarship availability.

Freshman and transfer students may apply for University Scholarships through the on-line Scholarship Universe program. The deadline to apply is generally the 1st of February preceding the fall semester for which the student is applying. Check the university website to be sure.  Grants and Student Loans are also available through the Financial Aid office.