Bachelor of Music - Music Therapy

Degree Details

The program of study leading to the Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy prepares the student for a career as a board certified music therapist. Board certified music therapists use music in a therapeutic relationship to help people across the lifespan achieve their individualized goals of restoration, maintenance, or improvement of mental and/or physical health. Students take core music courses including music history, music theory, applied lessons, and ensembles. They will take courses outside of the school of music to supplement their learn, like psychopathology, anatomy and physiology, and educational psychology. Additionally, students take core music therapy courses addressing the entry-level professional competencies of music therapists, including 6 semesters of practicum courses where students gain hands-on experiences working with a variety of populations. 

In addition to the degree requirements, music therapy board certification requires a six-month internship and successful completion of the Board Certification Examination. Completion of the Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy degree and certification exam leads to licensure as a Board Certified Music Therapist.  This degree is accredited by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Official Declaration of Major

Procedure for Current UGA Students:

At the end of the fall semester of the 2nd year, all intended music therapy students must pass the barrier procedure criteria to become a music therapy major. The requirements for passing the barrier procedure are as follows:

• Submit to Dr. Ellyn Evans a two-page statement (typed, double-spaced) as to why the student wants to become a music therapist;
• Have completed the following courses with a grade of C or better: MUSI 5440 - Music Skills for Therapists, MUSI 2021 - Practicum, and MUSI 5400 - Principles of Music Therapy.
• Schedule a joint meeting with Dr. Ellyn Evans and Ms. Jenny Stull at the end of the fall semester 2nd year to discuss admission to the major and completion of the barrier procedure criteria.

The music therapy faculty will determine if a student has sufficiently met the above requirements before the student is officially accepted to the major.

Procedure for Transfer Students:

All students that apply as transfer students to enter the music therapy program at the University of Georgia must meet the following criteria regarding the barrier procedure:

• Earn a grade of C or better in the first academic course in the music therapy curriculum taken in residency at UGA;
• Earn a grade of C or better in the first clinical course in the music therapy curriculum taken in residency at UGA;
• Submit to Dr. Evans a two-page statement (typed, double-spaced) as to why the student wants to become a music therapist;
• Schedule a joint meeting with Dr. Ellyn Evans and Ms. Jenny Stull at the end of their first semester of enrollment at UGA to discuss admission to the major and completion of the barrier procedure criteria.

The music therapy faculty will determine if a student has sufficiently met the above requirements before the student is officially accepted to the major. 

Additional Student Resources

• Academic Advising - All Music Therapy majors, including double majors, are required to meet with a music advisor each semester.
• UGA Student Handbook - Essential information for all UGA students
• DegreeWorks - Our degree audit portal for enrolled students
• Athena - UGA portal for the university-wide application, current course listings, and class registration
• SAGE - Allows students and advisors to schedule appointments
• UGAMail - Official UGA email system
• eLC - UGA online learning management system