Bachelor of Music, Major in Music Therapy

The Music Therapy curriculum prepares the student for a career as a music therapist and the requisite professional certification. A one-semester internship (6 semester credit hours) is required.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.

Bachelor of Music - Major in Music Therapy
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) 28
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) 33
Component Area V (Creative Arts) 43
Component Area VI (U.S. History)6
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) 53
Component Area IX (Component Area Option)4
Major: Foundation
MUSI 1222Theory Of Music I2
MUSI 1223Theory Of Music II2
MUSI 1224Musicianship I2
MUSI 1225Musicianship II2
MUSI 1379Survey of World Music Cultures 33
MUSI 2222Theory Of Music III2
MUSI 2223Theory Of Music IV2
MUSI 2224Musicianship III2
MUSI 2226Conducting I2
MUSI 2348Survey of Music Literature (Writing Enhanced) 43
MUSI 3377Music History: Classic to Present (Writing Enhanced)3
or MUSI 3376 Music History: Antique through Baroque
Major: Required
XXXX 1201 Ind. Performances (Lower-Level Applied Lessons-SCH 2)8
XXXX 3201 Ind. Performances (Advanced-Level Applied Lessons-SCH 2) 64
MUEN XXXXLower-Level Ensemble4
MUEN XXXXUpper-Level Ensemble2
Select 7-10 hours depending on Applied Lesson area (see advisor) 77-10
MUSI 1181
Class Piano, Level 1
MUSI 1182
Class Piano, Level 2
MUSI 1303
Fundamentals of Guitar
MUSI 1304
Fundamentals Of Singing
MUSI 2181
Class Piano, Level 3
MUSI 3110
Study Of Percussion
MUSI 2338Introduction to Music Therapy3
MUSI 2339Psychology Of Music3
Major: Prescribed Electives 84
Select four hours of the following with advisor approval: 8
MUSI 3117
Practicum In Music Therapy I 8
MUSI 3118
Practicum In Music Therapy II 8
MUSI 4110
Practicum In Music Therapy III 6
MUSI 4111
Practicum In Music Therapy IV 6
MUSI 3336Instrumental Skills for the Musical Therapy Setting3
MUSI 3337Instrumental Skills for the Musical Therapy Setting II3
MUSI 3365Observation and Measurement in Music Therapy (Writing Enhanced)3
MUSI 3366Music Therapy Techniques I3
MUSI 4395Music Therapy Techniques II3
MUSI 4396Music Therapy Techniques III3
MUSI 4397Internship In Music Therapy (Internship)3
MUSI 4398Internship In Music Therapy (Internship)3
Advanced Electives 93
Clinical Foundation Courses (Required for American Music Therapy Assocication): 13 hours
BIOL 2401Human Anatomy 24
or BIOL 2403 Human Anatomy & Physiology I
PSYC 1301Introduction To Psychology 53
PSYC 3331Abnormal Psychology3
PSYC 3374Development Psychology3
Minor: Not Required 10,11
Total Hours129-132
1

MATH 1332 is the recommended course for students in this degree program.

2

BIOL 2401 or BIOL 2403 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) and the Clinical Foundation course requirement required for the American Music Therapy Association.

3

MUSI 1379 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture).

4

MUSI 2348 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area V (Creative Arts). 

5

PSYC 1301 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) and the Clinical Foundation course requirement required for the American Music Therapy Association.  

6

Students must pass the Sophomore Applied Proficiency before registering for upper-level applied lessons. This Proficiency may be taken up to 3 times.

7

Piano students take MUSI 1303, MUSI 1304 & MUSI 3110.  Guitar students take MUSI 1181 MUSI 1182, MUSI 1304, MUSI 2181, & MUSI 3110. Vocal students take MUSI 1181 MUSI 1182, MUSI 1303, MUSI 2181 & MUSI 3110. Percussion students take MUSI 1181 MUSI 1182, MUSI 1303, MUSI 1304, & MUSI 2181. Students not taking Applied Lessons in Piano, Guitar, Voice, or Percussion are required to take all 10 hours of this area. See advisor.

8

Music Therapy students must pass all Professional Disposition and Clinical Musicianship Readiness Evaluations prior to beginning each course in the practicum sequence. Students may attempt each evaluation up to 3 times.

9

Select 3 hours of upper-level hours from MUEN, MUSI (except MUSI 3110), PSYC, HONR, and Ind. Performances (Advanced-Level Applied Lessons XXXX 3201 or 3202) and/or other course with Music Therapy advisor approval. 

10

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so, additional semester credit hours may be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours. 

11

The following minor cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Music.

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

This program requires a minimum of 1,200 hours of clinical training across practicum and internship. These experiences occur in collaboration with third-party clinical sites and facilities. These sites are legally free to set their own onboarding requirements, which may include, but are not limited to, drug/substance screenings, background checks, and/or health and safety measures, such as evidence of various immunizations. These onboarding activities may incur fees, which are the responsibility of the student and are not reimbursable by the university. Clinical partners and internship sites have the final word as to whether to accept or deny individual practicum or internship students.

SHSU cannot give any assurances or guarantees that we can provide you a path through your necessary clinical assignments, including practicum and internship, that avoids all non-University settings that may mandate various onboarding requirements. If students are unable to be cleared on any of these requirements, they may not be eligible to continue in the program.

Students earning a grade below “C” in any music course required for his/her degree or minor in music are required to retake the course. After three failed attempts to earn a C or better, the student may be removed from the program.

Students should use elective courses and/or a minor (if applicable) to complete the 42 advanced hour requirement for graduation. 

Music Therapy students must pass all Professional Disposition and Clinical Musicianship Readiness Evaluations prior to beginning each course in the practicum sequence.  Students may attempt each evaluation up to 3 times.

Completion of six semesters of Concert Attendance is required for graduation.  See student handbook and/or contact the School of Music for details.

Writing Enhanced Courses.  All undergraduate students are required to complete at least six hours of writing enhanced courses within the discipline, of which three hours must be advanced.

Ensembles

The following performance ensembles are open to all students of the university who qualify by audition:

Large Ensembles

Large Ensembles-
Marching/Concert Band-for Wind and Percussion Students
MUEN 1116/3116Band1
Wind Ensemble/Symphonic Band-for Wind and Percussion Students
MUEN 2116/4116Wind Ensemble1
Orchestra-for String Students and Wind and Percussion Students
MUEN 1117/3117Orchestra1
Chorus-for Vocal Students
MUEN 1111/3111Choral Ensemble1

Small Ensembles

No more than eight hours earned in large ensembles may be counted toward a degree. Small ensembles may be counted if approved by the ensemble director, studio instructor, and the Director, School of Music.

Additional small ensembles, such as Jazz Ensemble, Opera Workshop, and Chamber Music are strongly encouraged for those who qualify by audition:

Small Ensembles
Jazz Ensemble
MUEN 1115/3115Jazz Band1
Opera Workshop
MUEN 1119/3119Opera Workshop1
Chamber Music (smaller instrumental groups, including piano trios, string quartets, guitar ensemble, percussion ensemble, etc.)
MUEN 1118/3118Chamber Music1
Keyboard Skills and Collaborative Techniques-for Keyboard performance major students only
MUEN 1110/3110Keyboard Skills and Collaborative Techniques1

Ensembles

  • Music majors should enroll in at least one ensemble each semester they are enrolled as full-time students (except the student teaching semester).
  • Students enrolled in studio instruction should be concurrently enrolled in an ensemble.
  • Jazz Ensemble will not normally be considered to be the major ensemble for graduation hours.
  • Students should not be enrolled in more than 2 ensembles per semester.
  • Music Therapy majors must participate in 6 semesters of ensemble.

NOTE: Modifications or exceptions may be made in rare or unusual circumstances but require approval by the Director, School of Music in coordination with ensemble directors and studio instructors.

Marching Band (for Wind and Percussion students)

  • Wind and Percussion students in the Teacher Certification program are required to be in Marching Band for 3 semesters.
  • Music Therapy Majors, music performance majors, music minors, and non-majors are encouraged to participate in Marching Band.

For information regarding Common Course numbers for Ensemble, please refer to the Common Course listing in this catalog.

Ind. Performances/Applied Music Instruction and Practicums (Music Therapy)

Applied Music Instruction (Instrument, Voice, Music Therapy Practicum)
Bassoon
BSSN 1201Individual Performances-Bassoon2
BSSN 3201Individual Performances-Bassoon2
BSSN 3202Applied Bassoon with Junior Recital2
Cello
VNCL 1201Individual Performances-Violncello2
VNCL 3201Individual Performances-Violncello2
VNCL 3202Applied Cello with Junior Recital2
Clarinet
CLAR 1201Individual Performances - Clarinet2
CLAR 3201Individual Performances - Clarinet2
CLAR 3202Applied Clarinet with Junior Recital2
Composition
COMP 1101Applied Composition I1
COMP 3301Applied Composition II3
Euphonium
EUPH 1201Individual Performances-Euphonium2
EUPH 3201Individual Performances-Euphonium2
EUPH 3202Applied Euphonium with Junior Recital2
Flute
FLUT 1201Individual Performances-Flute2
FLUT 3201Individual Performances-Flute2
FLUT 3202Applied Flute with Junior Recital2
French Horn
HORN 1201Individual Performances-French Horn2
HORN 3201Individual Performances-French Horn2
HORN 3202Applied Horn with Junior Recital2
Guitar
GUIT 1201Individual Performances-Guitar2
GUIT 3201Individual Performances-Guitar2
GUIT 3202Applied Guitar with Junior Recital2
Harp
HARP 1201Harp2
HARP 3201Harp2
HARP 3202Applied Harp with Junior Recital2
Oboe
OBOE 1201Individual Performances-Oboe2
OBOE 3201Individual Performances-Oboe2
OBOE 3202Applied Oboe with Junior Recital2
Organ
ORGN 1201Individual Performances-Organ2
ORGN 3201Individual Performances-Organ I2
ORGN 3202Applied Organ with Junior Recital2
Percussion
PERC 1201Individual Performances-Percussion2
PERC 3201Individual Performances-Percussion2
PERC 3202Applied Percussion w/ Jr Recital2
Piano
PIAN 1201Individual Performances-Piano2
PIAN 3201Individual Performances-Piano2
PIAN 3202Applied Piano with Junior Recital2
Saxophone
SAXO 1201Individual Performances-Saxophone2
SAXO 3201Individual Performances-Saxophone2
SAXO 3202Applied Saxophone with Junior Recital2
String Bass
STBS 1201Individual Performances-String Bass2
STBS 3201Individual Performances-String Bass2
STBS 3202Applied String Bass w/ Jr Recital2
Trumpet
TRMT 1201Individual Performances-Trumpet2
TRMT 3201Individual Performances-Trumpet2
TRMT 3202Applied Trumpet with Junior Recital2
Tuba
TUBA 1201Individual Performances-Tuba2
TUBA 3201Individual Performances-Tuba2
TUBA 3202Applied Tuba with Junior Recital2
Trombone
TRMB 1201Individual Performances-Trombone2
TRMB 3201Individual Performances-Trombone2
TRMB 3202Applied Trombone with Junior Recital2
Viola
VIOL 1201Individual Performances-Viola2
VIOL 3201Individual Performances-Viola2
VIOL 3202Applied Viola with Junior Recital2
Violin
VILN 1201Individual Performances-Violin2
VILN 3201Individual Performances-Violin2
VILN 3202Applied Violin with Junior Recital2
Voice
VOIC 1201Individual Performances-Voice2
VOIC 3201Individual Performances-Voice2
VOIC 3202Applied Voice with Junior Recital2
Practicum – Early Childhood
MUSI 3117Practicum In Music Therapy I1
Practicum – Special Needs
MUSI 3118Practicum In Music Therapy II1
Practicum – Psychiatric/Geriatric
MUSI 4110Practicum In Music Therapy III1
Practicum – Medical
MUSI 4111Practicum In Music Therapy IV1

Applied Music Fees

Students enrolled in Applied Music Instruction are required to pay a fee at the time of registration on a per-course basis each semester:

Texas ResidentNonresident
Semester Hours Amount Semester Hours Amount
2-hour course $60.00 2-hour course $60.00
4-hour course $75.00 4-hour course $75.00

There is no additional charge for use of practice rooms.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit. 

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area II13Component Area I3
Component Area IX1MUEN XXXX (Lower Level Ensemble)1
MUEN XXXX (Lower Level Ensemble)1MUSI 1182, 1303, 1304, or 311021
MUSI 1181, 1303, 1304, or 311021MUSI 12232
MUSI 12222MUSI 12252
MUSI 12242PSYC 130133
MUSI 23383XXXX 1201 Ind. Performances-XXXX2
XXXX 1201 Ind. Performances-XXXX2 
 15 14
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area I3MUEN XXXX (Lower Level Ensemble)1
Component Area VI3MUSI 1303, 1304, or 311023
MUEN XXXX (Lower Level Ensemble)1MUSI 22232
MUSI 2181, 1303, 1304, or 311021MUSI 23393
MUSI 22222MUSI 2348 (Writing Enhanced)43
MUSI 22242PSYC 33743
MUSI 3365 (Writing Enhanced)3XXXX 1201 Ind. Performances-XXXX2
XXXX 1201 Ind. Performances-XXXX2 
 17 17
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area IX3MUEN XXXX Upper-Level Ensemble1
MUEN XXXX Upper-Level Ensemble1BIOL 2401 or 240374
MUSI 22262MUSI 3110, 1303, or 130421
MUSI 311751MUSI 311851
MUSI 33363MUSI 33373
PSYC 33313MUSI 33663
XXXX 3201 Ind. Performances-XXXX62XXXX 3201 Ind. Performances-XXXX62
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area VI3Component Area VII3
Component Area VII3Component Area III4
Advanced Electives83MUSI 3376 or 3377 (Writing Enhanced)3
MUSI 137993MUSI 411151
MUSI 411051MUSI 43963
MUSI 43953 
 16 14
Fifth Year
FallHours 
MUSI 43973 
MUSI 43983 
 6 
Total Hours: 129
1

MATH 1332 is the recommended course for students in this degree program.

2

Piano students take MUSI 1303 MUSI 1304, & MUSI 3110  Guitar students take MUSI 1181 MUSI 1182 MUSI 1304 MUSI 2181 & MUSI 3110. Vocal students take MUSI 1181 MUSI 1182 MUSI 1303, MUSI 2181 & MUSI 3110. Percussion students take MUSI 1181, MUSI 1182 MUSI 1303, MUSI 1304, & MUSI 2181. Students not taking Applied Lessons in Piano, Guitar, Voice, or Percussion are required to take all 10 hours of this area. See advisor.

3

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).

4

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area V (Creative Arts).

5

Music Therapy students must pass all Professional Disposition and Clinical Musicianship Readiness Evaluations prior to beginning each course in the practicum sequence.  Students may attempt each evaluation up to 3 times.

6

Students must pass the Sophomore Applied Proficiency before registering for upper-level applied lessons.  This Proficiency may be taken up to 3 times. 

7

BIOL 2401 or BIOL 2403 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area III (Life and Physical Science).

8

Select 3 hours of upper-level hours from MUEN, MUSI (except MUSI 3110), PSYC, HONR, and Ind. Performances (Advanced-Level Applied Lessons XXXX 3201 or 3202) and/or other course with Music Therapy advisor approval.

9

Satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture). 

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

This program requires a minimum of 1,200 hours of clinical training across practicum and internship. These experiences occur in collaboration with third-party clinical sites and facilities. These sites are legally free to set their own onboarding requirements, which may include, but are not limited to, drug/substance screenings, background checks, and/or health and safety measures, such as evidence of various immunizations. These onboarding activities may incur fees, which are the responsibility of the student and are not reimbursable by the university. Clinical partners and internship sites have the final word as to whether to accept or deny individual practicum or internship students.

SHSU cannot give any assurances or guarantees that we can provide you a path through your necessary clinical assignments, including practicum and internship, that avoids all non-University settings that may mandate various onboarding requirements. If students are unable to be cleared on any of these requirements, they may not be eligible to continue in the program.

Students earning a grade below “C” in any music course required for his/her degree or minor in music are required to retake the course. After three failed attempts to earn a C or better, the student may be removed from the program.

Students should use elective courses and/or a minor (if applicable) to complete the 42 advanced hour requirement for graduation. 

Music Therapy students must pass all Professional Disposition and Clinical Musicianship Readiness Evaluations prior to beginning each course in the practicum sequence. Students may attempt each evaluation up to three times.

Completion of six semesters of Concert Attendance is required for graduation.  See student handbook and/or contact the School of Music for details.

Writing Enhanced Courses.  All undergraduate students are required to complete at least six hours of writing enhanced courses within the discipline, of which three hours must be advanced.

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so, additional semester credit hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours. 

The following minor cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Music.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The BM in Music Therapy (MUST) is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • ​Develop professional-level competence in clinical music therapy as articulated by the American Music Therapy Association. 

  • Acquire professional and clinical skills applicable to fulfilling supportive staff roles in a variety of healthcare, educational, psychiatric, community, and rehabilitative settings. 

  • Develop extensive intraprofessional collaboration, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. 

  • Gain skills in reading and applying research findings to enhance professional interactions with clients.