Fine Arts Center (FAC)
Music Therapy Lab
FAC 219, Atrium 2nd Floor - students gain access after registering for MUSC 2310 and agreeing to the Lab Contract. This grants them a keycard for access during building hours.
Student Expectations
Professionalism
Music therapy interns are expected to demonstrate these key qualities: reliability, courtesy, cooperation, emotional stability, and openness to supervision. The program director and clinical training director will assess these throughout the program based on your performance in class, fieldwork, and other settings.
Mental Health and Counseling
USU Student Counseling Services offers free counseling to help you address any personal concerns that might impact your academic or professional performance. The program director needs to confirm your mental fitness for internship recommendations.
Participation in Performing Groups
All students must participate in Music Department performing ensembles for a minimum of two credit hours. This is in addition to the Music Therapy Ensemble course (MUSC 1320) which is taken during the spring semester of your first year in the program.
Recital and Concert Attendance
To graduate, you must attend 10 recitals and 10 concerts each academic year. Regularly report your attendance (at least once per semester) by turning in signed recital/concert programs to the Music Department Student Services (FAC 102). Include your name and A-number on each program. A tracking form is available to help you maintain a personal record.
Opportunities
Our AMTA-approved program is affiliated with the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), the Western Regional chapter (WRAMTA), and the Utah Association of Music Therapists (UAMT). We encourage students to join these organizations for networking, resources, scholarships, continuing education, and event access.
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarships and funding opportunities can be found on the student resources page.
Proficiency Requirements
Musicianship
All students must complete the musicianship requirements as mandated by the Department of Music. These requirements are set forth in the Music Department Student Handbook available on the department website (music.usu.edu) under “Current Students.”
Piano
All students must complete the piano proficiency requirements as required by the Department of Music. This requirement may be met by enrolling in Keyboard Harmony classes or by scheduling a proficiency exam for students with advanced skills in piano. Consult with Nathan Scott, in Music Department Student Services, for scheduling this exam.
Major Instrument
Music therapy students are required to choose one major performing instrument. The instrument may be piano, voice, guitar, or another instrument. Regardless of a student’s choice for their major performing instrument, the music therapy major must complete a minimum of four (4) semesters (hour-long lessons) of individual instruction, successfully passing a jury exam each semester. It is strongly recommended that this requirement be completed during the students first two years. Refer to the online Department of Music Student Handbook for more specific guidelines regarding registration for this instruction.
With the approval of the Music Therapy Program Administrator, the student may choose a major performing instrument other than piano, voice, or guitar if the following conditions are present: (1) it is determined that the student should be able to meet the program’s competency requirements in piano, voice and guitar, and (2) the faculty instructor for the different instrument requested can verify that the student should be able to meet area requirements. Regardless of which major performing instrument a student has chosen, all music therapy majors must demonstrate proficiency in piano, voice, and guitar as these are the primary instruments used in providing music therapy services.
Functional Skills Level Exams
The AMTA Professional Competencies are based on what knowledge, skills, and abilities are needed to perform the various levels and types of responsibilities to practice music therapy at a safe and competent level. These competencies address one’s ability to demonstrate a basic foundation on voice, piano, guitar, and percussion which includes learning a repertoire of traditional, folk, and popular songs. To assist the student in achieving these competency-based standards, the USU Music Therapy Program requires successful completion of four adjudicated functional skills level exams. Assignments and content in music therapy core courses will help students develop these skills. A standard repertoire list of approximately 300 songs is available to the student to assist them in preparing for these exams. Resources for many of the required repertoire songs are available in the music therapy lab (FAC 219).
The first exam (Level I) will be completed during MUSC 1310. Students who do not pass Level I initially may have an additional attempt. However, this exam must be successfully completed before enrolling in MUSC 2320. Level II is taken during MUSC 2320, Level III during MUSC 3331, and Level IV during MUSC 3334. Whenever a student initially fails to pass either Level II, III, or IV, a second attempt is given. However, these exams must be successfully passed before a student may enroll in sequential music therapy core courses. If a student is unable to pass an exam after a second attempt the student may wish to explore other degree paths that better align with their strengths, interests, and evolving direction.
Requirements for each of the four Level Exams can be accessed below:
Practicum
All music therapy majors are required to complete 180 hours of clinical field training. This will be primarily met through four semesters of Field Experiences (FE) in Music Therapy Practicum (MUSC 3331, 3332, 3333, and 3334), totaling nine credit hours.
Per AMTA requirements, these Field Experiences must include psychiatric, special needs, and geriatric populations. Placement in MUSC 3331 will begin upon successful completion of the Level II Exam. Placement in MUSC 3334 will proceed upon successful completion of the Level III Exam. Placements in Field Experiences are determined by the Clinical Training Director, based on student, supervisor, and site availability. Students are required to submit a Practicum Placement Scheduling Form at the end of the semester prior to the semester of placement. Practicum should be a priority for all music therapy students. Please create two-hour available time-blocks in your schedule and be prepared to be flexible in order to accommodate placement.
Professional organizations
Professionalism begins now. It is assumed that students will involve themselves in the student, state, and national/regional professional associations. Affiliations with these organizations is an important part of your education and development of professional practice standards. Do not underestimate the impact of your voice and contributions beginning with USUMTSA!
Internships
The music therapy student must complete a six-month (1040 hours) clinical internship at an AMTA National Roster approved clinical training facility, or an approved University Affiliated clinical training facility, under the supervision of an AMTA approved clinical training director in order to graduate. The student must also enroll in Music 4340, Clinical Internship in Music Therapy, during the last semester of their academic program. Initially the student will be given an “Incomplete” in the course, until the internship is completed and the student’s grade changed to either Pass/Fail, accordingly.
There are many clinical training sites throughout the country that serve a variety of client populations. Many offer interns benefits including meals, housing, and stipends - however, some do not. A complete file of all AMTA National Roster Internships in maintained in the Music Therapy Resource room, and are also posted on AMTA’s website.
The selection of one’s clinical internship site is very important and must be based on several factors. Professors Hearns or Professor Winger will counsel each music therapy major during this important process. Specific application guidelines will be provided to the therapy major during this important process. Some important AMTA guidelines to know at this time are as follows:
- The student must have completed all required academic coursework at the university prior to beginning internship. This includes all requirements (i.e. musicianship proficiency, as well as successful completion of coursework).
- The student must begin the residential music therapy internship within 24 months of completion of AMTA required coursework.
- The student must not have more than four active applications in progress at any one time.
- Some internship sites requirement applications to be submitted 12-18 months prior to the date the applicant will be eligible/ready for internship. Please be aware of specific application guidelines and dates unique to the site for which application is being made.
An important factor in selecting an appropriate internship site is the client population served at that site. The student should intern at a site in which she/he will gain experience working with the type of clients the student plans to work with after internship. The student is encouraged to identify their preferred population for internship by the senior year of courses. Dr. Hearns and Professor Winger will counsel with the student in arriving at this decision.
The student should realize that everyone is not suited for working with all client populations. The student’s level of interest in working with a specific population may not be enough. Factors such as the student’s functional music skills, interpersonal skills, understanding of psychological principles, creativity, and clinical skills should be considered in determining what type of setting the student would best be able to function as an effective therapist. The student will discuss these issues with Professor Hearns during this important decision making process.
Graduation
After successful completion of the internship, a student is awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Therapy. A student may choose to return to USU following the successful completion of their internship and participate in graduation exercises at that time. Or, as is often the case, a student may wish to ‘walk’ at graduation during the semester in which they complete their academic program prior to their internship. Please counsel with the Music Advising Center to ensure the following guidelines are met:
- In completing the Application for Graduation packet, the student must indicate the semester in which they will COMPLETE their internship as their date of anticipated graduation, not the semester in which coursework is completed.
- While the student is permitted to ‘walk’ at graduation exercises during the semester in which they complete their coursework, they must understand that their name will not appear in the commencement program. The student’s name will be included in the program that is prepared for the graduation exercise that takes place during the semester in which their internship is completed.
- If a student wishes to obtain a copy of the commencement program that will include their name, they must contact the Registrar’s Office and request that such will be sent to them at the time their diploma is mailed to them.
- The student must be responsible for verifying that the Registrar’s Office has their current and correct mailing address on file for receiving their diploma and graduation exercises materials.
Senior Recognition Night: The Friday night before Commencement will be designated as Senior Recognition Night. Seniors, their family and friends, and other music therapy students, are invited to attend. The specific time and location will be designated during the month of April.