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Master of Music Therapy (Online)

Become well-versed in the impact and influence of music.

The master’s in music therapy from Loyola’s renowned School of Music prepares students to excel in the field with advanced clinical, supervisory, and methodological knowledge.

Loyola’s music therapy program is considered one of the most respected in the country, and the hybrid music therapy program is endorsed by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). Both the hybrid and on-campus programs are taught by faculty members who are leaders in the field of music therapy and engaged in clinical practice, research, writing, and advocacy.

Please note: The master of music therapy – bachelor's equivalency program is a hybrid program that requires on-campus coursework in their first year of studies.

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How to Apply

Review the admission requirements for Loyola's Online Master of Music Therapy program.

Admission Requirements

Master of Music Therapy Tracks

Loyola’s music therapy master’s program offers two tracks:

36-credit track for music therapists who already hold the MT-BC credential and wish to develop advanced clinical and research skills
60-credit track that provides comprehensive education and training for students who have completed an undergraduate music degree in a related field (e.g., music performance, music education, etc.) and wish to become Board-Certified Music Therapists.

Master of Music Therapy (36 credits)

The 36-credit master of music therapy is designed for board-certified music therapists who wish to develop advanced professional practice, music therapy theory, clinical expertise, supervision, education, research, and professional development. Through choice of electives in consultation with their advisor, students can develop advanced skills in other areas such as business, specific clinical populations, music therapy models, and musical artistry.

Master of Music Therapy – Bachelor's Equivalency Program (60 credits)

The 60-credit master of music therapy – bachelor's equivalency program is designed for students who hold an undergraduate degree in music. Through this equivalency program, students complete additional courses and fieldwork in preparation for American Music Therapy Board Certification and masters level coursework. This is a hybrid program that requires on-campus coursework.

Master of Music Therapy Curriculum

Students in the 60-credit master of music therapy – bachelor's equivalency program track will be required to take classes for a year on campus in immersive preparation for board certification. Additionally, students in the bachelor's equivalency track will complete a six-month internship to gain advanced clinical expertise and valuable experience leading music therapy sessions for diverse populations of patients.

Students in the 36-credit master of music therapy program may have the opportunity to come to campus once per semester for two to five day intensive trainings in advanced techniques.

Degree Overview

36 Credits

master of music therapy

Loyola’s Master of Music Therapy degree online consists of 36 credit hours, which includes:

Core courses (18 credit hours)
Advanced practicum (2 credit hours)
Thesis or scholarly project (2 credit hours)
Elective courses (14 credit hours)

Master of Music Therapy – Bachelor's Equivalency Program (60 credits):

Core courses (18 credit hours)
Advanced practicum (2 credit hours)
Thesis or scholarly project (2 credit hours)
Elective courses (14 credit hours)
Additional prerequisite coursework and internship (23 credits)

Check out the University Bulletin to view further curriculum information about Loyola's online master of music therapy program and download a degree worksheet.

Core Courses

18 Credits

master of music therapy

Music Therapy Core Courses (18 credits)

MUTY M702: Music Therapy Research (3 credits)
MUTY M704: Music Therapy Supervision (2 credits)
MUTY M705: Advanced Music Psychotherapy Models (3 credits)
MUTY M706: Music Therapy in Medicine (3 credits)
MUTY M718: Music Therapy Theories (2 credits)
MUTY M720: Multicultural Issues in Music Therapy (2 credits)
NURS 905: Ethics & Social Justice (3 credits)
*MUTY M822: Research Apprenticeship

*This course is designed to teach students how to conduct music therapy research. Students will participate as a member of a research team for an ongoing faculty research project. This course has a $50 course fee.

Practicum and Thesis

4 Credits

master of music therapy

Music Therapy Practicum (2 credits)

MUTY M703: Advanced Practicum (2 credits)
With a focus on advanced music therapy clinical techniques and practice, this course enhances the student’s knowledge of the current music therapy research and techniques completed with a client population of the student’s choice. Students must be Board-Certified to enroll in this course. This course has a $50 course fee.

Thesis or Scholarly Project (2 credits)

Students in the Master of Music Therapy program may complete a thesis or a scholarly project. All forms of research are acceptable including: quantitative, qualitative, and historical.This thesis is a research study involving data collection and analysis, and may be clinic-based. The scholarly project is designed to further explore an area of clinical practice that is of interest to the student.

Elective Courses

14 Credits

master of music therapy

Music Therapy Electives (14 Credits)

Elective courses are chosen by students in consultation with their academic advisor. Sample courses include:

Business Electives
Counseling Electives. May be taken by students in residence, not available online.
- Counseling Theories
- Lifespan Development
- Family Systems
Music Electives. May be taken by students in residence, not available online.
Music Therapy Electives
- MUTY M812: Guided Imagery & Music Level I
- MUTY M814: Advanced Research Methods
- MUTY M820: Music Therapy Group Work
Research Electives
- NURS G802 Advanced Stats & Data Management

Bachelor's Equivalency Track

23 Credits

master of music therapy

Additional Courses for Non-Music Therapy Board Certified Students (23 Credits)

Students who hold an undergraduate degree in music, but are not Board-Certified music therapists will prepare for the master's in music therapy degree through our equivalency track program. This mostly online program prepares students for Board Certification with 23 credits of undergraduate-level music therapy courses designed to provide comprehensive training, followed by a six-month music therapy internship.

Through the equivalency track, students will likely be required to spend a year on campus in immersive preparation for their Board Certification. On campus courses include:

Introduction to Music Therapy (2 credits)
Music Therapy in Education & Habilitation (3 credits)
Music Therapy in Health Care (3 credits)
Music Therapy in Mental Health & Wellness (3 credits)
Orientation to Field Studies (1 credit)
Recreative & Compositional Methods (2 credits)
Receptive Methods (2 credits)
Clinical Improvisation (2 credits)
Psychology of Music (3 credits)
Field Studies II (1 credit)
Field Studies III (1 credit)
Field Studies IV (1 credit)
Off-Campus Internship (1 credit)

In addition to the elective options above, students can, through choice of electives in consultation with advisor, develop advanced skills in other areas such as business, specific populations, and music therapy techniques. Approved electives may or may not be offered online and may be taken at the student’s discretion.

The Loyola School of Music

discover your full potential

Recognized for its excellence, rigor, and innovation, Loyola’s School of Music is an academic community made up of artists, scholars, practitioners, and students who believe in the transformative power of the arts and who are dedicated to the education of the whole person in the Ignatian tradition.

We recruit students who are both artistically talented and intellectually curious and who seek an education that fosters the development of the entire mind and spirit. Whether our master’s in music therapy students go on to careers in the arts or use their study as a springboard to other professions, they carry with them the creativity and discipline necessary for artistic endeavor, linked with the critical judgment that is at the heart of liberal education and the Jesuit value of a life lived with and for others.

Accreditation and National Recognitions