A music therapist helps persons of all ages who have the need for specific services due to conditions stemming from learning, behavioral, emotional or physical challenges.  The program with a curriculum approved by theAmerican Music Therapy Association is a comprehensive four-and-a-half year program that prepares candidates for meaningful careers as music therapists.  Students are in residence in the Department of Music at Cleveland State, but also take music Therapy courses at Baldwin-Wallace College, home of the Music Therapy Consortium.  A six-month internship in an AMTA-approved facility is required.  After successful completion of the national certification exam administered and monitored by the Certification Board for Music Therapists, certification will be earned. 

What is Music Therapy?

Music therapy is an established profession in the field of healthcare that uses methodologies by trained music therapists to restore, maintain or enhance the cognitive, social, emotional, and/or physical needs/functioning for individuals of all ages.  The Physical Therapist helps improve the quality of life for those who are well and meets the needs of those individuals with disabilities or illness.  To learn more about the field of Music Therapy and about music therapists in Ohio, visit one of the websites:

• American Music Therapy Association
• American Music Therapy Association – Great Lakes Region
• Association for Ohio Music Therapists

The Consortium

Cleveland State University in cooperation Baldwin Wallace College (Berea, Ohio) and the College of Wooster (Wooster, Ohio) comprise the Cleveland Music Therapy Consortium.  The Consortium was initiated in 1976 through a generous grant from The Cleveland Foundation as the first music therapy program offered in Northeastern Ohio and the first in the nation involving a cooperative arrangement among educational institutions.  All Music Therapy courses are offered at the Cleveland Music Therapy Consortium Offices/classrooms on the Baldwin-Wallace College campus.

Core Music Classes (61 credit hours)

MUS 231-234 Harmony & Form, I, II, III, IV
MUS 241-244 Musicianship I, II, III, IV (Aural Skills)
MUS 113 Writing About Music
MUS 301 Music Methods and Materials
MUS 354 Teaching Percussion
MUS 357 Guitar Class
MUS 361 Voice Class (if instrumental major)
MUS 411 and 412 Music History I and II
MUS 414 Ethnomusicology
MUS 461 Conducting School Ensembles
MUA 102 and 103 Keyboard Skills I and II, Applied Music, Major Ensemble, Half Recital

The Music Therapy Curriculum (36 credit hours)

In addition to the core curriculum required for a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy at Cleveland State University, the following music therapy classes are required:

MUS 390 Introduction to Music Therapy+
MUS 391 Recreational Music: Programming and Leadership+
MUS 392 Music Therapy Practicum (taken three times)+*
MUS 420 Music Therapy in Psychiatry and Rehabilitation+
MUS 421 Music Therapy with the Developmentally Disabled+
MUS 422 Psychology of Music+
MUS 423 Research Methods in Music Therapy+
MUS 424 Program Development and Administration+
MUS 425 Internship in Music Therapy+*

General Studies – the following courses are needed to fulfill American Music Therapy Association requirements (32 credit hours, electives 6 credit hours)

PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
PSY 345 Abnormal Psychology
PSY 311 Behavioral Statistics (or another statistics course)
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology or Sociology Elective
BIO 266 Human Anatomy and Physiology
COM 211 Communicating in Personal Relationships
ESE 404 Teaching Students of Varying Abilities

Other General Studies Courses

English I (ENG 101)
Math
Natural Science
African American Experience
Human Diversity
Foreign Language or Culture

Six Month Internship upon completion consisting of all coursework*

*Denotes class consisting of hands-on field experience
+Denotes class offer through Cleveland State University at the Cleveland Music Therapy Consortium in Berea.
  There is a surcharge for all therapy courses.

Post-Baccalaureate Music Therapy Equivalency

The Cleveland State University Music Therapy Equivalency Program is designed for individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree in music form a recognized institution and wish to complete course and clinical requirements to sit for the certification exam to become a Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC).  Music therapy, an established health profession, uses music within a therapeutic relationship to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals.  Music Therapists work with clients to assess strengths and needs, using music as the therapeutic tool to increase memory and cognitive awareness, enhance communication and social skills, encourages the expression of emotions, and improve fine and gross motor abilities.  After completion of all coursework and the completion of a six-month internship at an AMTA-approved facility, music therapists take a Board Certification Exam as outlined by the American Music Therapy Association. 

Curriculum

In this non-degree program, Music Therapy Equivalency students complete a curriculum of music therapy and other undergraduate courses required by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).  An advisor reviews coursework in the student’s bachelor degree program and credit is given for knowledge and skills already earned.  After completion of all coursework, students participate in a 6 month, full-time internship, and are then eligible to take the Board Certification Exam as outlined by the CBMT (Certification Board of Music Therapists).  Once board-certified, music therapists can work in a variety of clinical and independent settings including hospitals, nursing homes, MR/DD group homes, rehabilitation centers, public schools, psychiatric institutions and hospices.

The CSU Music Therapy Equivalency Program requires successful completion (grade of C or better) of Music Therapy Core courses which are offered Tuesday evenings and Saturdays at the Cleveland Music Therapy Consortium and can be completed part-time in two years.  It also requires music proficiencies including large-group ensemble, music theory, music history and literature, and applied instrument lessons, most of which have been met previously through the baccalaureate music degree.  Psychology, sociology, biology and education classes are also required by AMTA to develop and refine therapeutic skills: requirements in these areas may also be reduced by virtue of previous coursework.

Music Therapy Equivalency Program Requirements

The Post-Baccalaureate Music Therapy Equivalency requires completion of all requirements listed below.  After completion of all coursework and a six-month internship, students are eligible to take the Board Certification Exam as outlined by the CBMT (Certification Board of Music Therapists).

MUSIC THERAPY CORE
MUS 390 Introduction to Music Therapy+
MUS 391 Recreational Music/Program & Leadership*+
MUS 392 Practicum 1, 2, 3+*
MUS 420 Music Therapy in Psychiatry and Rehabilitation*+
MUS 421 Music Therapy with the Developmentally Disabled*+
MUS 422 Psychology of Music*+
MUS 423 Research Methods in Music Therapy+
MUS 424 Program Development and Administration in Music Therapy+
MUS 425 Internship – 6 months, full-time
                Following completion of all coursework+*

MUSIC COURSES (May be met through coursework in student’s bachelor degree program of proficiency)
Theory Core
Music History/Literature Core
Music Ensembles
Conducting
Orchestration
Guitar Proficiency
Piano Proficiency
Voice Proficiency
Performance Instrument
Percussion Techniques

BEHAVIORAL/NATURAL/HEALTH SCHIENCES AND EDUCATION (May be met through coursework in student’s bachelor degree program)
General Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
Research Statistics
Sociology Elective
Psychology/Sociology/Anthropology Elective
Group Dynamics/Group Therapy
One course in Human Anatomy
Introduction to the Special Child

Among students of the Cleveland Music Therapy Consortium, there is a 100% job placement rate.

Consortium Faculty and Cleveland State University Advisor

Dr. Eric Ziolek, Advisor
Lisa M. Gallagher, MT-BC
Lalene Dyshere Kay, MM,ACC,MT-BC

For more information (such as degree requirements and course descriptions) visit the online Undergraduate Catalog, or view a PDF version of The CSU Department of Music’s Undergraduate Handbook.