Music Therapy (BM)

This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2025-Spring 2026 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.

Bachelor of Music with Emphasis in Music Therapy

Unit: Music
Academic Plan Code(s):  See Track Requirements tab

Program Information

The music therapy program is designed for students who want to provide therapeutic services to people using music. Students must be strong musicians and find satisfaction in using music to help with non-music areas and skills, rather than as a goal in itself. Students’ music skills will expand during their music therapy course work from performing on their principal instrument to also including functional piano, guitar, and voice skills, using other accompanying instruments such as the Q-chord and autoharp, and developing skill in using percussion instruments. The music therapy program requires good intellectual skills as music therapists are required to use analytical skills in determining clinical goals and writing skills in documentation.

Music therapy majors may work with any age group and with people with a variety of disabilities. As a member of a therapeutic team or private practitioner, the music therapist participates in the analysis of individual problems and the establishment of treatment goals before planning and carrying out music-related treatment. Music therapists may also do administration in various health-related settings and, with advanced degrees, may become university faculty. 

Degree Summary

Emphasis in Music Therapy (MUTHBM)

Emphasis in Music Therapy with track in Jazz Studies (MUTHBMJAZ)

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While not included in the School or Program coursework requirements, students are expected to take MUH 214 and MUH 205 to satisfy some of the General Education requirements. COMM 115 is suggested for satisfying the Oral Communication requirement.

Specific coursework information can be found on the Degree Requirements tab.

Departmental Admission Requirements

Students in this unit are admitted directly into their degree program.

Degree Requirements

The Music Therapy curriculum meets the competency requirements of the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA). Students must complete a minimum of 1200 hours of clinical training which includes at least 180 hours in pre-internship experiences and at least 900 hours in internship experiences. Students completing the Music Therapy curriculum are eligible to take the examination to become a Board Certified Music Therapist, offered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists.

A person who already has a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and who wishes to become a music therapist may take the courses not already taken that are required for music therapy certification, known as “equivalency” courses since they provide the equivalent of an undergraduate degree. The music therapy equivalency program leads to eligibility to apply to become a Board Certified Music Therapist but does not lead to a degree. Specific course requirements, based on the student’s transcript and experiences, are determined in conjunction with the Director of Music Therapy.

Students must demonstrate experience and competence in the use of percussion instruments and in the use of computers and music as appropriate for music therapists.

General Education Requirements

All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above).  Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

College/School Requirements

Program/Major Requirements

Music Therapy

Academic Plan Code(s): MUTHBM

Music Therapy with a Track in Jazz Studies

Academic Plan Code(s): MUTHBM_JAZ

Upper Division Assessment

All students enrolled in a music degree program will be reviewed at the approximate midpoint of the selected program in order for students to achieve Upper Division status. Students must meet the standards of this review to register for 400-level courses in music. Both the elements and standards of the review are established by the faculty and include credit for MUS 242 Musicianship IV or Analysis (MUS 347 for BA General; MUS 349 for BA Jazz Studies; MUS 350 for BA Music & New Media); MUS 361; 4 semesters of Applied Instrument at the course numbers required for the degree; Piano Proficiency Examination; MUS 97 Recital Attendance, with a grade of S for 4 semesters; Ensemble participation; cumulative 2.5 GPA (good standing); minimum of 48 credit hours completed; pass ENGL 101 or ENGL 105; and 3 additional Gen Ed courses.

Additional specific elements and standards appropriate to specific degree programs in jazz studies, music composition, music education, music history, instrumental and vocal performance, pedagogy, music theory, and music therapy are required of students in order to achieve Upper Division status and to continue in the degree program. Specific degree requirements are determined by the division and area faculties and are outlined in the Music Student Handbook and the various Division handbooks. 

Flight Plan, BM in Music Therapy

Flight Plans for the tracks in Jazz Studies are on the following tabs (Jazz Flight Plans, Even and Jazz Flight Plans, Odd).

Music Therapy

Academic Plan Code(s): MUTHBM

The Flight Plan outlined above is intended to demonstrate one possible path to completing the degree within four years.  Course selection and placement within the program may vary depending on course offerings and schedule, elective preferences, and other factors (study abroad, internship availability, etc.). Please consult your advisor for additional information about building a flight plan that works for you.

Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan, and which requirements are still outstanding. Degree audits also take transfer credits and test credits into account. "What-if" reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan.  Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.

Flight Planner
The Flight Planner tool is available for you to create a personalized Flight Plan to graduation.  Advisors have access to review your Flight Planner and can help you adjust it to ensure you remain on track to graduate in a timely manner.

To create these reports:

1. Log into your ULink account.
2. Click on the Academic Progress tile.
3. Select the appropriate report.
   1. To run a Degree Audit report, click on "View my Degree Audit."
   2. To create a What-if report, click on "What-if Advisement Report."
   3. To run a Flight Planner report, click on "Use My Flight Planner."

Click here to run a Degree Audit report, create a What-if report, or run a Flight Planner report.

Flight Plan, BM in Music Therapy, Track in Jazz Studies, Even-Year Starts

A four-year Flight Plan without a track in Jazz Studies is on the preceding tab (Flight Plan). 

The four-year plan of study listed below is applicable for students who begin their academic programs in the fall semester of even-numbered years (e.g., 2020, 2022, 2024, etc.). Students starting in odd-numbered years should refer to the Jazz Flight Plan, Odd tab.

Music Therapy with a track in Jazz Studies

Academic Plan Code(s): MUTHBM_JAZ

The four-year plan of study listed below is applicable for students who begin their academic programs in the fall semester of even-numbered years (e.g., 2020, 2022, 2024, etc.).

The Flight Plan outlined above is intended to demonstrate one possible path to completing the degree within four years.  Course selection and placement within the program may vary depending on course offerings and schedule, elective preferences, and other factors (study abroad, internship availability, etc.). Please consult your advisor for additional information about building a flight plan that works for you.

Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan, and which requirements are still outstanding. Degree audits also take transfer credits and test credits into account. "What-if" reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan.  Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.

Flight Planner
The Flight Planner tool is available for you to create a personalized Flight Plan to graduation.  Advisors have access to review your Flight Planner and can help you adjust it to ensure you remain on track to graduate in a timely manner.

To create these reports:

1. Log into your ULink account.
2. Click on the Academic Progress tile.
3. Select the appropriate report.
   1. To run a Degree Audit report, click on "View my Degree Audit."
   2. To create a What-if report, click on "What-if Advisement Report."
   3. To run a Flight Planner report, click on "Use My Flight Planner."

Click here to run a Degree Audit report, create a What-if report, or run a Flight Planner report.

Flight Plan, BM in Music Therapy, Track in Jazz Studies, Odd-Year Starts

A four-year Flight Plan without a track in Jazz Studies is on the preceding tab (Flight Plan). 

The four-year plan of study listed below is applicable for students who begin their academic programs in the fall semester of odd-numbered years (e.g.,  2021, 2023, 2025, etc.). Students starting in even-numbered years should refer to the Jazz Flight Plan, Even tab.

Music Therapy with a track in Jazz Studies

Academic Plan Code(s): MUTHBM_JAZ

The four-year plan of study listed below is applicable for students who begin their academic programs in the fall semester of odd-numbered years (e.g., 2021, 2023, 2025, etc.).

The Flight Plan outlined above is intended to demonstrate one possible path to completing the degree within four years.  Course selection and placement within the program may vary depending on course offerings and schedule, elective preferences, and other factors (study abroad, internship availability, etc.). Please consult your advisor for additional information about building a flight plan that works for you.

Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan, and which requirements are still outstanding. Degree audits also take transfer credits and test credits into account. "What-if" reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan.  Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.

Flight Planner
The Flight Planner tool is available for you to create a personalized Flight Plan to graduation.  Advisors have access to review your Flight Planner and can help you adjust it to ensure you remain on track to graduate in a timely manner.

To create these reports:

1. Log into your ULink account.
2. Click on the Academic Progress tile.
3. Select the appropriate report.
   1. To run a Degree Audit report, click on "View my Degree Audit."
   2. To create a What-if report, click on "What-if Advisement Report."
   3. To run a Flight Planner report, click on "Use My Flight Planner."

Click here to run a Degree Audit report, create a What-if report, or run a Flight Planner report.

The Bachelor of Music Therapy (BM) program prepares students to meet the requirements for certification and/or licensure.  If you plan to pursue professional licensure or certification you should first determine your state’s criteria for examination and licensure to see how/if our program meets those requirements prior to enrollment. We recommend that you also contact your state’s licensing board directly to verify that the requirements have not changed recently and to answer any questions especially those regarding additional requirements beyond the degree. 

More information about certification or licensure is available at the following website:  https://louisville.edu/oapa/licensure-information (you may search by school or by the name of the program then click on 'View Details' to display the information).

For programs with an online option, more information about certification or licensure is available here: https://louisville.edu/online/About-Us?tab=disclosure.