Music Therapy
Undergraduate Major College of Professional Studies
About
Turn your love for music into a career that helps others thrive. Rooted in both musical excellence and a strong liberal arts foundation, PLU’s Music Therapy program will equip you to harness the power of music to foster healing, growth, and well-being in individuals and communities.
You’ll gain an understanding of how music influences the brain and body through music therapy coursework, grounded in the discipline and informed by allied fields such as psychology, healthcare, and special education. This degree includes hands-on experience through 180 hours of clinical practicum and a six-month internship, working with diverse populations like children with autism, seniors with dementia, or veterans recovering from trauma.
PLU is the only university in Washington State to offer a pathway to the required licensure for music therapists, which is a rapidly growing profession. Upon completion of the coursework and internship, you’ll be ready to take the board certification exam. Upon passing the exam, you can apply for state licensure and begin practicing as a licensed music therapist.
With growing demand in healthcare, mental health, education, and community settings, licensed music therapists bring their expertise to diverse fields.
Career fields for licensed music therapists:
- Healthcare & Rehabilitation
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes & assisted living facilities
- Mental Health & Wellness
- Treatment & recovery facilities
- Behavioral health centers
- Trauma and PTSD treatment programs
- Education & Special Needs
- Schools (K-12, including special education)
- Early intervention programs
- After-school and community music programs
- Community & Nonprofit Work
- Homeless shelters
- Veteran support programs
- Private Practice & Entrepreneurship
- Private music therapy practice
- Wellness and mindfulness retreats
- Research and academic institutions
Skills you'll gain:
- Music-Based Intervention Design — Learn to create and lead interventions such as songwriting, guided listening, and improvisation to support clients’ cognitive, emotional, physical, and social growth.
- Client Assessment & Treatment Planning — Gain real-world experience evaluating client needs and designing personalized, evidence-based treatment plans through 180 hours of practicum and a six-month supervised internship.
- Clinical Music Practice — Build skills in voice, piano, guitar, and percussion while learning to improvise, compose, and adapt music to meet client goals in therapeutic settings.
- Therapeutic & Interdisciplinary Practice — Strengthen your ability to communicate, collaborate, and uphold professional ethics while working with healthcare providers, educators, and families as part of a care team.
- Clinical Research & Professional Readiness — Develop the tools to interpret research, evaluate treatment outcomes, and prepare for national board certification and Washington State licensure as a music therapist.
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