Master of Music Therapy / MS in Counseling and Development

Music therapy begins with the relationship between a patient and a music therapist. As a student in our music therapy program, you will learn to use music to achieve therapeutic outcomes, such as helping patients deal with disease, trauma, anxiety or pain. Music therapists often work to improve speech, social or coping skills; aid in physical rehabilitation; or even help people find meaning in the experience of creating or listening to music.

Upon completion of our dual degree program in music therapy and counseling, you will receive not only a master’s degree in both fields, but also will be eligible to apply for licensure as a professional counselor in Texas (LPC). The graduate curriculum is 64 semester hours for the dual program. If you are entering as a music therapist, this program will take approximately three years to complete. If you are not entering as a music therapist (e.g., an equivalency student), this program will take about four years to complete due to undergraduate course requirements.

Why TWU?

Our music therapy program is the oldest ongoing program in Texas and one of the first in the nation. TWU is one of only 5 universities in Texas offering music therapy degrees, and we are approved by the American Music Therapy Association.
We provide both academic and clinical training, with a focus on experiential, hands-on learning through extensive practicum and internship experience. Students of our music therapy program have worked in local children’s theaters, community centers, hospitals and schools.
Our Student Association for Music Therapy provides educational and social opportunities for you to develop music therapy skills and friendships outside of the traditional classroom setting.
Our small class sizes will allow you to reflect on and process your training, enhancing the quality of your practice and fostering the growth of your character.
Many of our former students have established successful clinics of their own, and they often hire current TWU music therapy students and interns.
We welcome new and auditioning students as well as students from other disciplines. Graduate students wishing to work toward certification may complete our music therapy equivalency program, which may be done at the same time the student completes some graduate courses toward the master’s degree.

Degree Details

Admission Requirements

Students interested in completing the dual degree must complete separate applications to BOTH departments/programs through the Graduate School. If a student has already been admitted to one program, it is only necessary to complete the application process for the other and declare the intention to pursue the dual degree option. Dual degree students must declare their intentions to pursue this option prior to the completion of 12 semester credit hours of graduate credit toward their degrees.

Admission to the Master of Music Therapy

Program Contact

Dr. Pamela Youngblood
940-898-2495
pyoungblood@twu.edu

Application Deadlines

No deadline, rolling admission

Admission requirements

Bachelor's in Music Therapy

Students with a bachelor's in Music may be granted provisional admittance with the stipulation that a student completes all equivalency coursework and clinical experience that make them eligible for board certification by the Certification Board for Music Therapists.

How to Apply

Apply for admission to the TWU Graduate School.
Meet with the Music Therapy faculty.
- Master’s Equivalency Applicants: Individuals interested in a career in music therapy will meet individually with one of the music therapy faculty. Interested students will engage in an interview and demonstrate music skills with a music therapy faculty member. Students will perform TWO songs, each from a different genre of music. At least one piece of music should be you accompanying yourself vocally with a chosen instrument. Both pieces of music should be non-classical.
- Master of Music Therapy Applicants: Individuals interested in pursuing the advanced degree of MMT will meet individually with one of the music therapy faculty. During this interview, students will share two live and contrasting songs and discuss goals, context, and other relevant rationale surrounding songs. Applicants should come prepared to discuss their career goals, insights about themselves, and music skills using piano/voice and guitar/voice. Music performed should be non-classical and highlight your clinical musicianship.

Additionally, if the applicant wishes to be considered for performance-based scholarships:

Fill out the online TWU Music Audition Application via Acceptd.
A letter of recommendation from your current private teacher or ensemble director will be required for each application. The letter must be received prior to your audition date and must be submitted by the letter writer through the Acceptd platform.
Audition on the primary instrument.

Admission to the Counseling and Development Graduate Programs

Program Contact

Joel H. Muro, Ph.D.
940-898-2705
jmuro@twu.edu

Application Deadlines

Fall – March 15
Spring – September 15

Admission Requirements

Hold an earned bachelor’s degree.
Have a minimum 3.0 GPA for the last 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate study and a minimum of 3.0 GPA for all prior graduate work.

How to Apply

Apply for admission to the TWU Graduate School.
Participate in an interview day with program faculty. A role play group session and a writing sample are required on the interview day.

Individuals applying for the school counseling "certification" only must have a Master’s degree, a Texas teaching certificate, and two years minimum of classroom teaching experience by the end of the program to be licensed by the state.

Additional Resources

For our dual degree program, you must be admitted separately to each department. However, you may submit one application specifying your interest in the dual degree program. The TWU Department of Human Development, Family Studies, and Counseling requires an in-person interview for admission to the counseling program.

Questions?

For more information about our dual degree program, submit an Information Request Form or contact Lamar Muro, PhD, LPC, at lmuro1@twu.edu.

Page last updated 12:41 PM, March 16, 2021