Music Therapy Equivalency

The Music Therapy Equivalency Program is fully accredited by the American Music Therapy Association and National Association of Schools of Music. It is designed for students who have a bachelor's degree in music and want to become board-certified music therapists.

This equivalency does not earn a second degree, and students enroll through the School of Education and Human Development as nondegree students. Some courses may be taken for graduate credit, and nonmusic therapy courses may be taken at other approved four-year colleges with adviser consent.

Required minimum coursework includes 26 credits in music therapy (including 1,200 clinical music therapy practicum and internship hours); 15 credits in psychology; three credits in anatomy and physiology; and coursework or demonstrated competency in piano, voice and guitar.

Students usually complete the program part-time in 3.5 years. If the applicant holds a degree in an area other than music or a diploma from a foreign institution, then work equivalent to the Bachelor of Music degree from SMU must be verified and/or courses must be taken prerequisite to or concurrent with courses leading to the Music Therapy Equivalency.

Completion of the equivalency provides eligibility for taking the exam offered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. Completion of the board certification exam earns the credential Board-Certified Music Therapist. An on-campus visit with the music therapy faculty is highly recommended, and review of all transcripts and an in-person or phone interview is required as part of the application process.