The Master of Music in Music Therapy (MMT) Program Prepares You for Advanced Clinical Practice.
The two-year, 34-credit Master of Music Therapy degree provides advanced theoretical, clinical and musical knowledge and skills for Board Certified Music Therapists (MT-BC) who wish to advance their clinical practice knowledge. Students complete coursework in a combination of distance learning and intensive weekend retreats, with ongoing mentorship from faculty, allowing them to continue their work as a music therapist without interruption.
Newly revised, the MMT degree emphasizes depth-oriented thinking, psychological processes and verbal processing. Aligned with and actively contributing to recent advances in the field, the program includes coursework in individual and group psychotherapy, justice-oriented practices, violence-informed approaches, and community activism.
Become a Licensed Professional Counselor While Completing Your MMT Degree
Students pursuing the MMT degree may complete coursework in the clinical mental health counseling program that fulfills the requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia. Students admitted to the MMT program may continue in the LPC track after degree completion to fulfill these licensing requirements. Contact Dr. Meadows at ameasdows2@rubio-games.com for more information on the MMT-LPC program.
Our faculty combine over four decades of clinical experience, with their unique perspectives and practices, to provide you with an educational experience tailored to your learning needs.
Graduate Assistantships
Students applying to the MMT program are eligible to apply for a graduate assistantship. Each assistantship provides partial tuition remission, along with a small stipend for each semester the student holds the assistantship. In addition to the financial benefits of an assistantship, students have the opportunity to:
- Teach music therapy classes, under the supervision of music therapy faculty
- Assist in the development of courses, through dialogue and feedback with course faculty
- Mentor students in the Professional Studies Certification program
- Develop supervisory skills through the direct supervision of undergraduate and Professional Studies Certification students, in both academic and clinical settings.
For more information about graduate assistantships, please contact Dr. Meadows ameadows2@rubio-games.com
Career & Salary Possibilities
The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) provides annual salary data for music therapists, updated each year and available online for review (www.musictherapy.org). In their 2015 analysis, the average salary from professionals with a Bachelor’s degree was $46,740.00. Music therapists with a Master’s degree earned, on average, $55,019.00. The average music therapy salary in Virginia is $52,263.00.
| Highest Level of Education | Number | Average Salary | Median Salary | Salary Mode | Salary Range |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 311 | $46,740 | $42,000 | $40,000 | $10,000-$420,000 |
| Master’s Degree | 308 | $55,019 | $50,000 | $40,000 | $12,000-$375,000 |
| Doctorate Degree | 64 | $81,617 | $70,000 | $100,000 | $45,000-$180,000 |
Music therapists continue to work in a wide range of settings, with diverse groups of clients, including geriatric facilities (15%), medical settings (14%), mental health settings (12%), private practice (12%) and children’s facilities/schools (11%). 26% of music therapists are now business owners.
Classes
Like music therapy itself, our program emphasizes discovery, in which you learn more about yourself, your strengths, and areas for development. We place a strong emphasis on mentorship, and our advanced supervision opportunities provide you with the individual attention needed to deepen your understanding of yourself, music, and the therapeutic process.
Classes are small, and built around dialogue. While new concepts and materials are always introduced and developed in our classes, experiential learning, discussion and debate occur across the curriculum.
For example, in MUTH 616 Contemporary Improvisational Practices, students worked on a variety of improvisational methods and techniques through experiential exercises and classroom demonstrations, integrating this directly into clinical practice through classroom assignments. After completing the assignment, students report on the session, offering a video (when ethically permitted) or audio analysis for discussion and feedback.
Meet the Faculty
Meet Dr. Tony Meadows, Director of Music Therapy Studies
Application & Audition Information
Admission to Shenandoah Conservatory graduate programs is highly competitive and the audition schedule fills rapidly. Early application and audition registration is recommended.
Conservatory Graduate Application Information
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in music therapy or creative arts therapy with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), Music Therapy Board Certification (MT-BC), and one year of full-time clinical experience, or equivalent.
After submitting your application, the director of the music therapy program will contact you and invite you to interview for the program. The interview is 30 minutes and focuses on your current experiences, specific interest in the program, and goals related to the program.
Scheduling An Interview
Interviews can be arranged in one of two ways. For applicants who live close to campus, interviews can be scheduled on campus during scheduled graduate audition dates in the spring semester. Students can also elect to interview on Zoom. These are arranged directly with the director of music therapy and can be scheduled most days of the week, pending availability.
