Earn your BM in Music Therapy
Undergraduate students enroll as freshmen or transfer students and complete School of Music requirements for a Bachelor of Music degree while concurrently fulfilling professional certification requirements for music therapy.
Undergraduate students must be admitted to the School of Music, including an audition, as well as the university. The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences general education requirements emphasize social, behavioral, and natural sciences, which are important in allied health professions such as music therapy.
Requirements and program planning
Undergraduate students interested in a career in music therapy work toward a Bachelor of Music degree within the School of Music.
During the first two years of education, coursework is very similar to that of music education and music performance students. Fundamental courses in music theory, lessons on a major instrument, and general education courses make up the majority of classes in the freshman and sophomore year. However, students are encouraged to take Orientation to Music Therapy (MUS:1687) in the freshman year as an introduction to the profession. Students must receive a grade of C+ or higher in this class in order to qualify for other music therapy courses.
The majority of core courses in music therapy are taken in the junior and senior years. Over a period of two years, students gradually move from observation of music therapy sessions to direct, supervised clinical experiences with clients in a variety of treatment settings. After academic coursework has been fulfilled, students complete a six-month internship at one of several hundred approved clinical sites off campus.
Clinical track
Course Offerings
- Fundamentals of Music for Majors (MUS:1200), 3 semester hours
- Musicianship and Theory I (MUS:1201), 4 semester hours
- Musicianship and Theory II (MUS:1202), 4 semester hours
- Musicianship and Theory III (MUS:2203), 4 semester hours
- Musicianship and Theory IV (MUS:2204), 4 semester hours
- Group Instruction in Piano I (MUS:1211), 1 semester hour
- Group Instruction in Piano II (MUS:1212), 1 semester hour
- Group Instruction in Piano III (MUS:2213), 1 semester hour
- Recital Attendance (MUS:1210), 4 semester hours
- History of Music I (MUS:2301), 3 semester hours
- History of Music II (MUS:2302), 3 semester hours
- Lower (upper) level applied lessons (MUS:----), 12 semester hours
- Major Ensemble (MUS:----), 6 semester hours
- Secondary performance - voice (MUS:1120), 2 semester hours
- Not required for voice students
- Additional music performance elective, 4 semester hours
- Clinical track music therapy students must take an additional 4 semester hours in music performance classes. Examples include:
- Afro-Cuban ensemble
- Steel band
- Secondary percussion lessons
- Secondary piano
- Additional secondary voice
- Other course approved by an advisor
- Clinical track music therapy students must take an additional 4 semester hours in music performance classes. Examples include:
- Orientation to Music Therapy (MUS:1687), 2 semester hours
- Music Foundations in Therapy I (MUS:2671), 2 semester hours
- Music Foundations in Therapy II (MUS:2672), 2 semester hours
- Perc for Therapists (MUS:3676), 1 semester hour
- Psychology of Music (EDTL:4630), 2 semester hours
- Intro to Music Research (EDTL:4640), 2 semester hours
- Music in Special Education (MUS:3680), 3 semester hours
- Music Therapy with Children (MUS:4685), 3 semester hours
- Music Therapy with Adults (MUS:3690), 3 semester hours
- Music Therapy Practicum (MUS:3675:01), 1 semester hour
- Music Therapy Practicum (MUS:3675:02), 4 semester hours
- Senior Project (MUS:4675), 1 semester hour
- Music Therapy Internship (MUS:4670), 2 to 12 semester hours
- Minimum 2 semester hours
- Abnormal Psych (PSY:3320), 3 semester hours
- Abnormal Psych for Helping Prof (PSY:2930), 3 semester hours
Select one of the following:
- Introduction to Improvisation (MUS:2710), 3 semester hours
- Secondary Perf-Piano (MUS:1121:0IND), 1 semester hour
Select one of the following:
- Arranging for Band (MUS:3665), 2 semester hours
- Garage Band (MUS:1007), 2 semester hours
Select one of the following:
- Intro to Developmental Science (PSY:2401), 3 semester hours
- Child Development (PSQF:4106), 3 semester hours
Select one of the following for a Psych/Counseling elective:
- Counseling for Related Professionals (CSED:4199), 3 semester hours
- Microcounseling (CSED:4178), 1 to 3 semester hours
- Ed Psych and Measurement (PSQF:1075), 3 semester hours
- Intro Sp/Hearing Process Disorders (CSD:1015), 3 semester hours
- Manual Communication (CSD:2140), 1 semester hour
- Basic Aspects of Aging (SSW:1800), 3 semester hours
- Intro to Behavioral Neuroscience (PSY:2701), 4 semester hours
Other courses are possible as approved by an advisor.
- Communication and literacy
- Rhetoric, (RHET:1030), 4 semester hours
- Interpretation of Literature, (ENGL:1200), 3 semester hours
- World Language, 0 to 16 semester hours
- Natural, qualitative, and social sciences
- Natural Sciences, 7 semester hours
- Human Biology (BIOL:1140)
- Human Anatomy (HHP:1100)
- Quantitative or Formal Reasoning, 3 semester hours
- Elem. Stat and Inference (PSQF:1020/STAT:1020)
- Social Sciences, 3 semester hours
- Elementary Psychology (PSY:001)
- Natural Sciences, 7 semester hours
- Culture, society, and the arts*
- Diversity and Inclusion, 3 semester hours
- Found of Critical Competence (CCCC:2220)
- Intro to Disability Studies (DST:1101)
- Other course as approved
- Peace, Sing, Writing Prison Choir (EDTL:2670)
- Historical Perspectives, 3 semester hours
- Music History I (MUS:2301)
- International and Global Issues, 3 semester hours
- Choose from list on CLAS website
- Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts, 3 semester hours
- Music History II (MUS:2302)
- Values and Culture, 3 semester hours
- Jazz Cultures in America and Abroad (MUS:1009)
- Music of Latin America and Caribbean (MUS:2311)
- Cultural Anthropology (ANTH:1101)
- Diversity and Inclusion, 3 semester hours
*Music majors may use up to three music courses (MUS) toward completing the General Education Requirements.
Performance track
Course offerings for performance track
- Fundamentals of Music for Majors (MUS:1200), 3 semester hours
- Musicianship and Theory I (MUS:1201), 4 semester hours
- Musicianship and Theory II (MUS:1202), 4 semester hours
- Musicianship and Theory III (MUS:2203), 4 semester hours
- Musicianship and Theory IV (MUS:2204), 4 semester hours
- Group Instruction in Piano I (MUS:1211), 1 semester hour
- Group Instruction in Piano II (MUS:1212), 1 semester hour
- Group Instruction in Piano III (MUS:2213), 1 semester hour
- Recital Attendance (MUS:1210), 4 semester hours
- History of Music I (MUS:2301), 3 semester hours
- History of Music II (MUS:2302), 3 semester hours
- Lower level applied lessons (MUS:----), 8 semester hours
- Upper level applied lessons (MUS:----), 8 semester hours
- Major Ensemble (MUS:----), 8 semester hours
- Senior Recital (MUS:4900), 1 semester hour
- Secondary performance - voice (MUS:1120), 2 semester hours
- Not required for voice students
- Diction for Singers I (MUS:1510), 2 semester hours
- Diction for Singers II (MUS:2510), 2 semester hours
- Orientation to Music Therapy (MUS:1687), 2 semester hours
- Music Foundations in Therapy I (MUS:2671), 2 semester hours
- Music Foundations in Therapy II (MUS:2672), 2 semester hours
- Perc for Therapists (MUS:3676), 1 semester hour
- Psychology of Music (EDTL:4630), 2 semester hours
- Intro to Music Research (EDTL:4640), 2 semester hours
- Music in Special Education (MUS:3680), 3 semester hours
- Music Therapy with Children (MUS:4685), 3 semester hours
- Music Therapy with Adults (MUS:3690), 3 semester hours
- Music Therapy Practicum (MUS:3675:01), 1 semester hour
- Music Therapy Practicum (MUS:3675:02), 4 semester hours
- Music Therapy Internship (MUS:4670), 2 to 12 semester hours
- Minimum 2 semester hours
- Abnormal Psych (PSY:3320), 3 semester hours
- Abnormal Psych for Helping Prof (PSY:2930), 3 semester hours
Select one of the following:
- Introduction to Improvisation (MUS:2710), 3 semester hours
- Secondary Perf-Piano (MUS:1121:0IND), 1 semester hour
Select one of the following:
- Arranging for Band (MUS:3665), 2 semester hours
- Garage Band (MUS:1007), 2 semester hours
Select one of the following:
- Intro to Developmental Science (PSY:2401), 3 semester hours
- Child Development (PSQF:4106), 3 semester hours
Select one of the following for a Psych/Counseling elective:
- Counseling for Related Professionals (CSED:4199), 3 semester hours
- Microcounseling (CSED:4178), 1 to 3 semester hours
- Ed Psych and Measurement (PSQF:1075), 3 semester hours
- Intro Sp/Hearing Process Disorders (CSD:1015), 3 semester hours
- Manual Communication (CSD:2140), 1 semester hour
- Basic Aspects of Aging (SSW:1800), 3 semester hours
- Intro to Behavioral Neuroscience (PSY:2701), 4 semester hours
Other courses are possible as approved by an advisor.
If you have extra time and are looking for another good course, History of Pop (MUS:1303).
- Communication and literacy
- Rhetoric, (RHET:1030), 4 semester hours
- Interpretation of Literature, (ENGL:1200), 3 semester hours
- World Language, 0 to 16 semester hours
- Natural, qualitative, and social sciences
- Natural Sciences, 7 semester hours
- Human Biology (BIOL:1140)
- Human Anatomy (HHP:1100)
- Quantitative or Formal Reasoning, 3 semester hours
- Elem. Stat and Inference (PSQF:1020/STAT:1020)
- Social Sciences, 3 semester hours
- Elementary Psychology (PSY:001)
- Natural Sciences, 7 semester hours
- Culture, society, and the arts*
- Diversity and Inclusion, 3 semester hours
- Found of Critical Competence (CCCC:2220)
- Intro to Disability Studies (DST:1101)
- Other course as approved
- Peace, Sing, Writing Prison Choir (EDTL:2670)
- Historical Perspectives, 3 semester hours
- Music History I (MUS:2301)
- International and Global Issues, 3 semester hours
- Choose from list on CLAS website
- Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts, 3 semester hours
- Music History II (MUS:2302)
- Values and Culture, 3 semester hours
- Jazz Cultures in America and Abroad (MUS:1009)
- Music of Latin America and Caribbean (MUS:2311)
- Cultural Anthropology (ANTH:1101)
- Diversity and Inclusion, 3 semester hours
*Music majors may use up to three music courses (MUS) toward completing the General Education Requirements.
Information for transfer students
Students who transfer to Iowa from other schools can usually apply portions of completed coursework toward their undergraduate degree at Iowa.
First, the Office of Admissions determines which courses are transferable to the University of Iowa. Then, transcripts are analyzed to determine applicability to the music therapy program. For example, music therapy students must take a course in abnormal psychology. If abnormal psychology has been taken at another school, and subsequently has been accepted by the Office of the Registrar, those credits will apply toward graduation.
Preparing for the major
In addition to taking college preparatory courses in high school, students interested in music therapy can benefit from volunteer or part-time work in nursing homes, developmental centers, hospitals, summer camps, or any programs that provide experience in working with people, and particularly people with disabilities.
Create your academic path
You'll find degree overviews, requirements, course lists, academic plans, and more to help you plan your education and explore your possibilities.
Current course list
The MyUI Schedule displays registered courses for a particular session and is available to enrolled students. The list view includes course instructors, time and location, and features to drop courses or change sections.
Music therapy alumni
Karen Reshetar
“I chose Iowa because I knew it was a strong program, but it was cemented when I met Dr. Adamek and Dr. Gfeller. They are such caring individuals and truly have their students' best interests in mind. They get to know you personally, and quickly become your strongest advocate. They are well-versed in the music therapy world, and have a great way of teaching their knowledge in an engaging way.”
Erin Frank
"The undergraduate degree program prepares you with a set of clinical therapeutic skills that surpass most other schools, including graduate degree programs."
Virginia Driscoll
“I chose Iowa because the professors have a sincere interest in their students and the future of the profession. Both Dr. Adamek and Dr. Gfeller are highly respected in the field of music therapy and provide unique perspectives in their specialized areas and beyond. The support, encouragement, and high expectations of their students creates a program that is unparalleled.”
Gwen Liebold
"Here were my top two reasons: A great education that prepares you for the real world and professors that truly want you to succeed."
Questions?
Abbey Dvorak
Music therapy faculty
Abbey Dvorak
Hae Sun Kim
Kirsten Nelson
Practice and perform
Need to book a music room, request an accompanist, check out audition information, rent a locker, or use a recording studio? Visit the Music Callboard for all scheduling and policy information.