50 years of Music Therapy

As the University of Iowa Music Therapy Program celebrates 50 years of academic excellence, we honor a legacy that began long before the program's official founding in 1976. Music therapy practice in Iowa dates to the 1940s, when some of the state's largest healthcare institutions began using music to support individuals with mental health conditions, disabilities, and rehabilitation needs. Early founders established programs in Iowa hospitals, veterans' facilities, and what is now the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, establishing the groundwork for a growing profession.

The University of Iowa launched its music therapy degree program in 1976 through a unique partnership between the School of Music and university healthcare programs. Guided by visionary faculty, dedicated clinicians, and community advocates, the program quickly became a leader in preparing music therapists through rigorous academic study and hands-on clinical training. 

Over the past five decades, the program has expanded to include nationally recognized undergraduate and graduate education, innovative research, federal funding, interdisciplinary healthcare collaborations, and extensive community partnerships. Generations of students, faculty, alumni, and community partners have helped shape a program committed to excellence, inclusion, and improving quality of life through music. 

As we celebrate 50 years, we reflect on a rich history of service, scholarship, and innovation while looking forward to the future of music therapy at Iowa. Building on its strong foundation, the program continues to advance clinical practice, research, and community engagement, transforming lives through the power of music.