Music Therapy Program Handbook

Music Therapy Program Policies

Professional Conduct

“The Code of Ethics of the American Music Therapy Association, Inc., summarizes our values as professionals and describes principles and standards for guiding the practice of music therapy in a responsible, fair, and accountable manner. [The] Code of Ethics is applicable to all those holding the MT-BC credential, and professional membership in the American Music Therapy Association. [The] Code is also applicable to music therapy students and interns under clinical supervision.” – AMTA Code of Ethics, 2019

Music therapy students are expected to demonstrate these key qualities: reliability, courtesy, cooperation, emotional stability, and openness to supervision. Music therapy faculty members and supervisors will assess these throughout the program based on your performance and interactions in class, fieldwork, and other program-related settings.

Participation in Performing Groups

All students must participate in MusicDepartment performing ensembles for a minimum of two semesters. 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. All Music Department students are registered in a non-credit Canvas course where they report their attendance.

Class Attendance & Tardiness

Music therapy majors are expected to attend and actively participate in all class meetings. When possible, students should notify the instructor in advance if they need to miss a class meeting. After three unexcused absences, student readiness for the class will be reassessed, and students may be asked to withdraw from the class and re-enroll in a later semester.

On-time attendance demonstrates quality professionalism. Utah State University is located in a valley where early mornings can be challenging… oversleep, dead car battery, buses delayed, too much snow, etc. Students who arrive more than 15 minutes late will be considered tardy. Three tardies will constitute an unexcused absence.

Late Work Policy for Music Therapy Core Courses

Our Late Work Policy exemplifies compliance with AMTA Professional Competency 17.3 {2026): Demonstrate dependability: follow through with all tasks regarding education and professional training.

In respect of this competency, all assignments are given a 72-hours “grace period” for late submissions.  (As a general rule, this does not include quizzes and tests.)

For each day an assignment is submitted late, the total points possible are reduced by 5%. After 72 hours, the assignment will not be accepted.  For example, if an assignment is worth 10 points and is submitted one day late, the total points possible that could be received on this assignment would be 9.5/10; 2 days late, 9/10; 3 days late, 8.5/10; after 3 days (72 hours), 0/10.

Submission dates for assignments are posted in CANVAS. The “Due Date” is the date by which the assignment must be submitted to be eligible for full credit. The “Availability Date” is set 72 hours after the assignment “Due Date” to allow for late submissions.

If circumstances arise that preclude the timely submission of an assignment within the “Availability Date,” please communicate with the instructor before the grace period expires.

Grading and Evaluation

All music therapy core courses use the USU Standard Grading Scale. Students must receive an overall percentage grade of 83% or higher to “pass” the class. Students earning less than 83% in any core music therapy course will be required to re-take the course. Most music therapy core courses are prerequisites to the next course in the program sequence. The need to retake a music therapy core course may cause a delay in a student’s anticipated graduation date.

Music majors, music education majors, and music therapy students must maintain a minimum 3.00 GPA in music courses and a minimum 2.75 GPA overall to remain in good standing. 

Use of AI Technology

In general, we support the use of AI technologies with the following understanding:

1. When the instructor is allowing the use of AI tools for a specific assignment, the guidelines for such will be detailed in the assignment instructions.  These guidelines identify which tools you may use and for what purposes.
2. For all other assignments, submitting work created wholly or partially by AI is not allowed.

Unauthorized use of AI tools may lead to a reduced grade for the assignment and/or a requirement to resubmit. Submissions may be reviewed using AI detection tools, such as Copyleaks.

Note-Take Technology and Classroom Recordings

Note-taking technology and classroom recordings are prohibited. This includes voice-to-transcription software and any type of recording software or device. Violations of this policy will not be tolerated.

Remediation

Our faculty and supervisors are committed to your success in the music therapy program.  Unfortunately, things happen that sometimes place students in a temporary holding pattern or probationary period.  Probationary status within the Music Therapy Program signifies a temporary suspension of a student's ability to register for music therapy core courses and move forward within the program. This status is typically assigned to students who fail to meet academic or professional standards outlined by the music department and/or music therapy program. While on probation, students are expected to work closely with their faculty mentors to address any deficiencies and develop a Personal Plan for Improvement (PPI). Successful completion of the PPI, which may involve meeting specific benchmarks or remedial actions, will restore a student's full standing within the Music Therapy Program. It is essential for students on probationary status to actively seek our academic support, counsel with their academic advisors, engage in the process of self-assessment, and continue their pre-professional development to successfully transition out of probationary status and continue resume their journey towards becoming competent music therapists.

Program Dismissal

When the conditions of a student’s Personal Plan for Improvement cannot be successfully achieved, the student will be referred to the Academic Advisor to discuss other educational and/or career options that may be more specifically suited to their unique strengths and skill sets.