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Music Therapy, B.S.

Program Highlights

SEE MUSIC THERAPY COME TO LIFE
Gain hands-on experience by working alongside exceptional music therapists in the community.

BROADEN YOUR MUSICAL SKILLS
Advance your primary instrument and develop your skill in a variety of instruments and styles.

BECOME NATIONALLY CERTIFIED
Graduate ready to earn your Music Therapy Board Certification

Want more information about this program?

Download a program guide with detailed information on cost, courses, and outcomes

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I always leave a music therapy class with something new to apply to my future career or my life in general. Thanks to my professors, I’ve even been able to join the Music Therapy New York State Task Force as the undergraduate representative, plus receiving mentorship!

Anaya Baptiste ‘24 (Music Therapy)

How Much Will I Pay?

two students standing in the sun

Total Program
Sticker Price:

$52,127


Last year

100%

of full-time freshmen students who applied 
for a scholarship received one

$25,324

average grants & scholarships package
for incoming freshman students last year

Roberts' Strategic Pillars

Online, Hybrid, and In-Person Programs In Rochester, NY

ANCHORED IN CHRISTIAN FAITH

You’ll be spiritually prepared for engagement in a diverse world.

CUSTOMIZED EDUCATIONAL PATHWAYS

Whatever your interests and circumstances, you’ll be equipped for your one-of-a-kind vocation.

READY TO
LEAD

You’ll be ready to lead, making meaningful contributions in your profession.

FLOURISHING PEOPLE & COMMUNITIES

Empowered to act in local and practical ways, you’ll make a difference in the communities where you live and work.

Coursework

Interested in seeing what courses you can take? Check out our course catalog!

What Will I Learn?

You will work on developing musicianship skills on your primary instruments through applied lessons, ensembles, and foundational music coursework. You’ll also develop skills in piano, voice, guitar, and percussion. 

Your coursework in music therapy as well as psychology, human development, and social work will prepare you to use music as a therapeutic tool for a variety of client populations and clinical settings. 

You’ll study:

  • Music therapy
  • Foundational musicianship in theory, aural skills, and music history
  • Treatment planning and implementation
  • Interdisciplinary skills on a treatment team
  • Human behavior and psychology

Career Outlook

Here are just a few successes our graduates have achieved:

Music Therapists Can Work In Organizations Such As

  • Agencies serving individuals with developmental disabilities
  • Correctional facilities
  • Daycare treatment centers
  • Drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs
  • Early intervention programs
  • Hospice
  • Hospitals and medical centers
  • Nursing and assisted living facilities
  • Private practice
  • Psychiatric hospitals
  • Public and private school districts
  • Rehabilitation facilities

Graduate Schools

  • Berklee College of Music
  • Colorado State University
  • Drexel University
  • Florida State University
  • Immaculate University
  • Lesley University
  • Loyola University
  • Maryville University
  • Molloy College
  • Montclair State University
  • Nazareth University
  • New York University
  • Ohio University
  • Radford University
  • SUNY Fredonia
  • SUNY New Paltz
  • Shenandoah University
  • Slippery Rock University
  • St. Mary of the Woods College
  • Temple University

Frequently Asked Questions

According to the American Music Therapy Association, “music therapy is the clinical & evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program,” such as the Music Therapy degree at Roberts. 

Music therapy can help promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain, express feelings, and more.

Music therapists can work with people of all ages. A few examples of people who may especially benefit from music therapy include:

  • Children with developmental or learning disabilities
  • Individuals with mental health disorders
  • People in correctional settings
  • Those who experience chronic pain
  • Individuals with neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease

The first step in becoming a music therapist is obtaining a bachelor’s degree in music therapy from an American Music Therapy Association-approved School, like Roberts Wesleyan University.

As a music therapy student at Roberts, you’ll both take courses and complete supervised clinical hours to gain experience and learn from practicing music therapists in the community.

After graduating, you’ll complete the remainder of your 1200 fieldwork hours in an internship with a board-certified music therapist. Then, you will be eligible to sit for the national board certification exam, offered through the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT).

You may also need to obtain specific licenses based on the state or area you’d like to practice music therapy.

A music therapy degree includes coursework in psychology, human development, and social work. Students will also work to develop their skills in musicianship.

Dedicated music therapy courses include instrumental methods, music therapy foundations, and psychology of music. As a music therapy student at Roberts, you’ll also undergo four levels of practicum to get live experience in the field and practice working with clients.

According to the US Bureau of Labor, the median annual wage for “Therapists, All Other” (which music therapists fall under) in 2021 was about $60,800. 

Naturally, this figure will fluctuate depending on factors like location, level of education, employer, and more.

Yes! If you come to campus for an individual visit, you can meet individually with a professor to get an overview of the major and your individual questions answered. Our Discovery Day events typically include a Faculty & Services Expo, where you can meet your future professors.

Yes! At Roberts, we’re dedicated to supporting you. Our Office of Student Financial Services is here to help you make the most of every financial aid opportunity available.

We provide financial assistance to 100% of our undergraduate students, so you can focus on following your calling with confidence.