Overview
The Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in music therapy at SMU uses an interdisciplinary approach to develop knowledge in music theory, history and performance while providing focused training in music therapy, research and psychology.
Prospective students must demonstrate competence on one instrument: voice, piano, guitar, winds, strings, brass or percussion. The rest of the skills – such as competence on voice, piano, guitar and percussion and the ability to improvise, compose and adapt songs, transpose and sight read – are taught in the program. While it can be helpful to have experience with some of these skills, it is not required prior to admission.
Each music therapy student benefits from individual attention in small class sizes. Our mentorship model allows us to tailor clinical experiences and education to the needs of each undergraduate. As a free service to the community – and a way for students to earn valuable observation and learning experience – the SMU Music Therapy Clinic provides North Texas children and adults with special needs weekly private and group music therapy sessions. Here, students work with clients on objectives like speech and motor skills, social interaction and vocalization of emotions. In addition, SMU houses the J.W. Brown SMU Music Therapist-in-Residence program, funded by KidLinks, a local nonprofit partner.
This degree is approved by the American Music Therapy Association, and successful completion of the program entitles the graduate to take the national board examination in music therapy administered by the . The official designation by the board is , or MT-BC, the nationally accepted credential of qualified music therapists.
All undergraduate music degrees include a balanced curriculum of music theory, aural skills, music history, pedagogy and interesting elective courses together with a well-rounded general college curriculum. These courses provide a solid foundation for a lifetime of continued learning, creativity and artistic fulfillment.
SMU music therapy graduates have a 100% pass rate on the MT-BC exam.
