Music Therapy (B.A.)

The Music Therapy program is one of the oldest (1969) and foremost training programs in this country. It features closely supervised clinical work each semester, which takes place at local facilities as well as schools, nursing homes and hospitals in the New York metropolitan area. In addition, the program offers a Music Therapy Training Group, Introduction to Guided Imagery and Music, and specialized courses in piano accompaniment and clinical improvisation. Guest clinicians from the U.S. and other countries frequently make presentations and give workshops.

In addition to the Bachelor of Arts degree, successful completion of this degree allows the recipient to sit for the examination to become a Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC).

For details about this program, including program description, admission requirements, and contact information, click here.

Degree Requirements Overview

New Student Seminar1
SEEDS General Education Requirements12-15
Major Requirements98-102
Free Electives9-2
Total Credits120

Major Requirements

Required Courses
Percussion Instruments
Students following Percussion Primary requirements do not take this course.0-1
Elementary Conducting
Students following Strings/Brass/Woodwinds/Percussion Primary requirements do not take this course.0-2
MUHS 106Diverse Worlds of Music3
MUTC 101Music and Computer Technology I3
Additional Required Courses
MUTH 115Music Therapy Practicum I1
MUTH 200Implementation and Decision Making in the Music Therapy Process2
MUTH 205Music Therapy Practicum II1
MUTH 306Keyboard for Music Therapy I1
MUTH 307Keyboard for Music Therapy II1
MUTH 315Music Therapy Practicum III1
MUTH 325Music Therapy Practicum IV1
MUTH 415Music Therapy Practicum V1
MUTH 425Music Therapy Practicum VI1
Professional Sequence
MUTH 100Introduction to Music Therapy2
MUTH 110Understanding and Planning in the Music Therapy Process2
MUTH 310Music Therapy and Wellbeing Across the Lifespan I3
MUTH 320Theoretical Foundations of Music Therapy3
MUTH 400Collaborative Music Experience1
MUTH 410Music Therapy and Wellbeing Across the Lifespan II3
MUTH 420Understanding and Applying Music Therapy Research3
MUTH 430Music Listening and Imagination1
MUTH 495Internship in Music Therapy12
PSYC 101Introduction to Psychology3
PSYC 201Child Psychology3
PSYC 365Abnormal Psychology3
Music History
MUHS 307Music in Time, Place and Ideas: Up to 17003
MUHS 308Music in Time, Place and Ideas: 1700-18903
MUHS 407Music in Time, Place and Ideas: 1890 to Present3
Primary Guitar, Keyboard, Strings/Brass/Woodwind/Percussion, or Vocal Requirements
Complete one of the Primary Instrument areas listed below.34-35
Total Credits98-102

Primary Instrument Area

Guitar Primary

Primary Instrument
Course must be completed four times, for 2 credits each.8
Applied Music
Secondary Instrument
Piano
MSSN 101Keyboard Musicianship I1
MSSN 102Keyboard Musicianship II1
MUTH 210Therapeutic Musicianship Forum I1
MUTH 220Therapeutic Musicianship Forum II1
Voice
MSSN 111Secondary Instrument Voice I1
MSSN 112Secondary Instrument Voice II1
Ensemble Requirement
Primary Instrument
MUEN 100Montclair State University Chorale (Complete 2 credits using the primary instrument.)2
Secondary Instrument
Select 2 credits from the following using the secondary instrument:2
Montclair State University Singers
Orchestra
Band
Collegium Musicum
Chamber Ensemble Performance
Jazz Ensemble
Performance Practicum
MUPR 139Performance Practicum (Complete 8 times.)0
Theory/Aural Skills
MUCP 101Theory I3
MUCP 102Theory II3
MUCP 103Aural Skills I1
MUCP 104Aural Skills II1
MUCP 201Theory III3
MUCP 202Theory IV3
MUCP 203Aural Skills III1
MUCP 204Aural Skills IV1
Total Credits34

Keyboard Primary

Primary Instrument
Course must be completed four times, for 2 credits each.8
Applied Music
Secondary Instruments
MUTH 210Therapeutic Musicianship Forum I1
MUTH 220Therapeutic Musicianship Forum II1
Guitar
MSSN 121Secondary Instrument Guitar I1
MSSN 122Secondary Instrument Guitar II1
Voice
MSSN 111Secondary Instrument Voice I1
MSSN 112Secondary Instrument Voice II1
Requirement
Primary Instrument
Complete 2 credits from the following using the primary instrument:2
Montclair State University Chorale
Secondary Instrument
Complete 2 credits from the following using the secondary instrument:2
Montclair State University Singers
Orchestra
Band
Collegium Musicum
Chamber Ensemble Performance
Jazz Ensemble
Performance Practicum
MUPR 139Performance Practicum (Complete 8 times.)0
Theory/Aural Skills
MUCP 101Theory I3
MUCP 102Theory II3
MUCP 103Aural Skills I1
MUCP 104Aural Skills II1
MUCP 201Theory III3
MUCP 202Theory IV3
MUCP 203Aural Skills III1
MUCP 204Aural Skills IV1
Total Credits34

Strings, Brass, Woodwinds and Percussion Primary

Primary Instrument
Course must be completed four times, for 2 credits each.8
Applied Music
Secondary Instrument
Piano
MSSN 101Keyboard Musicianship I1
MSSN 102Keyboard Musicianship II1
MUTH 210Therapeutic Musicianship Forum I1
MUTH 220Therapeutic Musicianship Forum II1
Guitar
MSSN 121Secondary Instrument Guitar I1
MSSN 122Secondary Instrument Guitar II1
Ensemble Requirement
Primary Instrument
Complete 2 credits from the following using the primary instrument:2
Orchestra
Band
Secondary Instrument
Complete 2-3 credits (Percussion Primary only) from the following using the secondary instrument:2-3
Montclair State University Chorale
Montclair State University Singers
Opera Production
Collegium Musicum
Chamber Ensemble Performance
Jazz Ensemble
Performance Practicum
MUPR 139Performance Practicum (Complete 8 times.)0
Theory/Aural Skills
MUCP 101Theory I3
MUCP 102Theory II3
MUCP 103Aural Skills I1
MUCP 104Aural Skills II1
MUCP 201Theory III3
MUCP 202Theory IV3
MUCP 203Aural Skills III1
MUCP 204Aural Skills IV1
Total Credits34-35

Voice Primary

Primary Instrument
Course must be completed four times, for 2 credits each.8
Applied Music
Secondary Instrument
Piano
MSSN 101Keyboard Musicianship I1
MSSN 102Keyboard Musicianship II1
MUTH 210Therapeutic Musicianship Forum I1
MUTH 220Therapeutic Musicianship Forum II1
Guitar
MSSN 121Secondary Instrument Guitar I1
MSSN 122Secondary Instrument Guitar II1
Ensemble Requirement
Primary Instrument
Complete 2 credits from the following using the primary instrument:2
Montclair State University Chorale
Secondary Instrument
Complete 2 credits from the following using the secondary instrument:2
Montclair State University Singers
Orchestra
Band
Collegium Musicum
Chamber Ensemble Performance
Jazz Ensemble
Performance Practicum
MUPR 139Performance Practicum (Complete 8 times.)0
Theory/Aural Skills
MUCP 101Theory I3
MUCP 102Theory II3
MUCP 103Aural Skills I1
MUCP 104Aural Skills II1
MUCP 201Theory III3
MUCP 202Theory IV3
MUCP 203Aural Skills III1
MUCP 204Aural Skills IV1
Total Credits34

New Student Seminar

Students in the Adult Learner program must take GNED 100.
Complete one course from the following. Some courses may be restricted by major. Consult with an academic advisor.1
Pathways to Success
Freshman Seminar in Chemistry
First Year Seminar
Adult Academic Success Seminar
New Student Seminar
Freshman Seminar in Health and Physical Education
Pathways to Adult Learning
New Student Seminar
New Student Experience for Mathematical Sciences
Freshman Seminar for Music Majors
Introduction to Nursing
Freshman Seminar in Political Science and Law

SEEDS General Education Requirements

Click here for a list of courses that fulfill the SEEDS requirements.

Foundations
Effective Writing I
Complete one Effective Writing I course.3
Effective Writing II
Complete one Effective Writing II course.3
Interactive Communication
Fulfilled by MUPR 335 or MUTH 495 in the major.
Quantitative Reasoning
Fulfilled by MUCP 101, MUCP 102, or MUCP 201 in the major.
Political and Civic Life
Complete one Political and Civic Life course.3
World Language
Complete two sequential classes in one World Language when starting at the Beginner I or Beginner II level. Complete one class when starting at the Intermediate/Advanced Level.3-6
Exploration
Complete one course from four different Exploration categories:
Analyzing Cultures and Societies
Fulfilled by PSYC 101 in the major.
Creative Expression
Fulfilled by MUEN courses in the major.
Ethical Inquiry
Historical Thinking
Fulfilled by MUHS 307, MUHS 308, MUHS 407, or MUHS 409 in the major.
Literary and Artistic Analysis
Fulfilled by MUHS 106 in the major.
Scientific Reasoning
Total Credits12-15

Recommended Roadmap to Program of Study Completion

This recommended degree plan is provided as an outline for students to follow in order to complete their program of study requirements within four years and 120 credits. This plan is a recommendation and must be used in consultation with their academic advisor. Important note: Students should be aware this plan assumes no pre-requisite coursework is required. If pre-requisite coursework is needed, students may have additional requirements to fulfill which do not appear on the plan.

Primary Instrument - Guitar

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUSI 4992MUSI 4992
MUPR 1390MUPR 1390
MUCP 101 (Fulfills SEEDS: Quantitative Reasoning)3MUCP 1023
MUCP 1031MUCP 1041
MSSN 1011MSSN 1021
MUEN 100 (Fulfills SEEDS: Exploration 1: Creative Expression)0.5MSSN 1121
MUEN Ensemble 10.5MUEN 1000.5
MUGN 1991MUEN Ensemble 20.5
MUTH 1002MUHS 106 (Fulfills SEEDS: Exploration 3 - Literary and Artistic Analysis)3
PSYC 101 (Fulfills SEEDS: Exploration 2- Analyzing Cultures and Societies)3SEEDS: Exploration 4 (PHIL 102 recommended)13
SEEDS: Effective Writing I3SEEDS: Effective Writing II3
 17 18
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUSI 4992MUSI 4992
MUPR 1390MUPR 1390
MUCP 2013MUCP 2023
MUCP 2031MUCP 2041
MUHS 3073MUTH 2002
MUTH 1102MUTH 2051
MUTH 1151MUTH 2201
MUTH 2101MUTH 3071
MUTH 3061MUEN 1000.5
MUEN 1000.5MUEN Ensemble 40.5
MUEN Ensemble 30.5MUHS 3083
PSYC 20123PSYC 36523
 18 18
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUTC 1013MUED 3061
MUHS 4073MUPR 335 (Fulfills SEEDS: Interactive Communication)2
MUTH 3103MUTH 3203
MUTH 3151MUTH 3251
MUTH 4001MUTH 4203
MUTH 4103MUTH 4251
MUTH 4151MUTH 4301
SEEDS: World Language 13SEEDS: Political and Civic Life3
 SEEDS: World Language 2 or Free Elective3
 18 18
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUTH 49512MUTH 49631
 12 1
Total Credits 120
1

Students must take a course in ethics as part of certification for Music Therapy.

2

PSYC 201 must be taken prior to PSYC 365 per Psychology department.  Both Psychology courses must be taken prior to the third year for the MUTH Lifespan courses.

3

Students should enroll in MUTH 496 in any semester following MUTH 495 if the internship will not be completed by the start of the next semester.

Primary Instrument - Keyboard

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUSI 4992MUSI 4992
MUPR 1390MUPR 1390
MUCP 101 (Fulfills SEEDS: Quantitative Reasoning)3MUCP 1023
MUCP 1031MUCP 1041
MSSN 1111MSSN 1121
MSSN 1211MSSN 1221
MUEN 100 (Fulfills SEEDS: Exploration 1: Creative Expression)0.5MUEN 1000.5
MUEN Ensemble 10.5MUEN Ensemble 20.5
MUGN 1991MUHS 106 (Fulfills SEEDS: Exploration 3 - Literary and Artistic Analysis)3
MUTH 1002SEEDS: Exploration 4 (PHIL 102 recommended)13
PSYC 101 (Fulfills SEEDS: Exploration 2- Analyzing Cultures and Societies)3SEEDS: Effective Writing II3
SEEDS: Effective Writing I3 
 18 18
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUSI 4992MUSI 4992
MUPR 1390MUPR 1390
MUCP 2013MUCP 2023
MUCP 2031MUCP 2041
MUHS 3073MUTH 2002
MUTH 1102MUTH 2051
MUTH 1151MUTH 2201
MUTH 2101MUTH 3071
MUTH 3061MUEN 1000.5
MUEN 1000.5MUEN Ensemble 40.5
MUEN Ensemble 30.5MUHS 3083
PSYC 20123PSYC 36523
 18 18
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUTC 1013MUED 3061
MUHS 4073MUPR 335 (Fulfills SEEDS: Interactive Communication)2
MUTH 3103MUTH 3203
MUTH 3151MUTH 3251
MUTH 4001MUTH 4203
MUTH 4103MUTH 4251
MUTH 4151MUTH 4301
SEEDS: World Language 13SEEDS: Political and Civic Life3
 SEEDS: World Language 2 or Free Elective3
 18 18
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUTH 49512MUTH 49631
 12 1
Total Credits 121
1

Students must take a course in ethics as part of certification for Music Therapy.

2

PSYC 201 must be taken prior to PSYC 365 per the Psychology department.  Both courses must be taken prior to the third year for the MUTH Lifespan courses.

3

Students should enroll in MUTH 496 in any semester following MUTH 495 if the internship will not be completed by the start of the next semester.

Primary Instrument - Strings/Brass/Woodwinds

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUSI 4992MUSI 4992
MUPR 1390MUPR 1390
MUCP 101 (Fulfills SEEDS: Quantitative Reasoning)3MUCP 1023
MUCP 1031MUCP 1041
MSSN 1011MSSN 1021
MSSN 1111MSSN 1211
MUEN 110 or 120 (Fulfills SEEDS: Exploration 1 - Creative Expression)0.5MUEN 110 or 1200.5
MUEN Ensemble 10.5MUEN Ensemble 20.5
MUGN 1991MUHS 106 (Fulfills SEEDS: Exploration 3 - Literary and Artistic Analysis)3
MUTH 1002SEEDS: Exploration 4 (PHIL 102 recommended)13
PSYC 101 (Fulfills SEEDS: Exploration 2- Analyzing Cultures and Societies)3SEEDS: Effective Writing II3
SEEDS: Effective Writing I3 
 18 18
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUSI 4992MUSI 4992
MUPR 1390MUPR 1390
MUCP 2013MUCP 2023
MUCP 2031MUCP 2041
MUHS 3073MUTH 2002
MUTH 1102MUTH 2051
MUTH 1151MUTH 2201
MUTH 2101MUTH 3071
MUTH 3061MUEN 110 or 1200.5
MUEN 110 or 1200.5MUEN Ensemble 40.5
MUEN Ensemble 30.5MUHS 3083
PSYC 20123PSYC 36523
 18 18
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUTC 1013MSSN 1121
MUHS 4073MSSN 1221
MUTH 3103MUED 3061
MUTH 3151MUTH 3203
MUTH 4001MUTH 3251
MUTH 4103MUTH 4203
MUTH 4151MUTH 4251
SEEDS: World Language 13MUTH 4301
 SEEDS: Political and Civic Life3
 SEEDS: World Language 2 or Free Elective3
 18 18
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUTH 495 (Fulfills SEEDS: Interactive Communication)12MUTH 49631
 12 1
Total Credits 121
1

Students must take a course in ethics as part of certification for Music Therapy.

2

PSYC 201 must be taken prior to PSYC 365 per the Psychology department.  Both psychology courses must be taken prior to the third year for the MUTH Lifespan courses.

3

Students should enroll in MUTH 496 in any semester following MUTH 495 if the internship will not be completed by the start of the next semester.

Primary Instrument - Percussion

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUSI 4992MUSI 4992
MUPR 1390MUPR 1390
MUCP 101 (Fulfills SEEDS: Quantitative Reasoning)3MUCP 1023
MUCP 1031MUCP 1041
MSSN 1011MSSN 1021
MSSN 1111MSSN 1211
MUEN 110 or 120 (Fulfills SEEDS: Exploration 1 - Creative Expression)0.5MUEN 110 or 1200.5
MUEN Ensemble 10.5MUEN Ensemble 20.5
MUGN 1991MUHS 106 (Fulfills SEEDS: Exploration 3 - Literary and Artistic Analysis)3
MUTH 1002SEEDS: Exploration 4 (PHIL 102 recommended)13
PSYC 101 (Fulfills SEEDS: Exploration 2- Analyzing Cultures and Societies)3SEEDS: Effective Writing II3
SEEDS: Effective Writing I3 
 18 18
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUSI 4992MUSI 4992
MUPR 1390MUPR 1390
MUCP 2013MUCP 2023
MUCP 2031MUCP 2041
MUHS 3073MUTH 2002
MUTH 1102MUTH 2051
MUTH 1151MUTH 2201
MUTH 2101MUTH 3071
MUTH 3061MUEN 110 or 1200.5
MUEN 110 or 1200.5MUEN Ensemble 40.5
MUEN Ensemble 30.5MUHS 3083
PSYC 20123PSYC 36523
 18 18
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUTC 1013MSSN 1121
MUHS 4073MSSN 1221
MUTH 3103MUEN Ensemble 5 0.5
MUTH 3151MUEN Ensemble 60.5
MUTH 4001MUTH 3203
MUTH 4103MUTH 3251
MUTH 4151MUTH 4203
SEEDS: World Language 13MUTH 4251
 MUTH 4301
 SEEDS: Political and Civic Life3
 SEEDS: World Language 2 or Free Elective3
 18 18
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUTH 495 (Fulfills SEEDS: Interactive Communication)12MUTH 49631
 12 1
Total Credits 121
1

Students must take a course in ethics as part of certification for Music Therapy.

2

PSYC 201 must be taken prior to PSYC 365 per Psychology department.  Both Psychology courses must be taken prior to the third year for the MUTH Lifespan courses.

3

Students should enroll in MUTH 496 in any semester following MUTH 495 if the internship will not be completed by the start of the next semester.

Primary Instrument - Voice

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUSI 4992MUSI 4992
MUPR 1390MUPR 1390
MUCP 101 (Fulfills SEEDS: Quantitative Reasoning)3MUCP 1023
MUCP 1031MUCP 1041
MSSN 1011MSSN 1021
MSSN 1211MSSN 1221
MUEN 100 (Fulfills SEEDS: Exploration 1: Creative Expression)0.5MUEN 1000.5
MUEN Ensemble 10.5MUEN Ensemble 20.5
MUGN 1991MUHS 106 (Fulfills SEEDS: Exploration 3 - Literary and Artistic Analysis)3
MUTH 1002SEEDS: Exploration 4 (PHIL 102 recommended)13
PSYC 101 (Fulfills SEEDS: Exploration 2- Analyzing Cultures and Societies)3SEEDS: Effective Writing II3
SEEDS: Effective Writing I3 
 18 18
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUSI 4992MUSI 4992
MUPR 1390MUPR 1390
MUCP 2013MUCP 2023
MUCP 2031MUCP 2041
MUHS 3073MUTH 2002
MUTH 1102MUTH 2051
MUTH 1151MUTH 2201
MUTH 2101MUTH 3071
MUTH 3061MUEN 1000.5
MUEN 1000.5MUEN Ensemble 40.5
MUEN Ensemble 30.5MUHS 3083
PSYC 20123PSYC 36523
 18 18
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUTC 1013MUED 3061
MUHS 4073MUPR 335 (Fulfills SEEDS: Interactive Communication)2
MUTH 3103MUTH 3203
MUTH 3151MUTH 3251
MUTH 4001MUTH 4203
MUTH 4103MUTH 4251
MUTH 4151MUTH 4301
SEEDS: World Language 13SEEDS: Political and Civic Life3
 SEEDS: World Language 2 or Free Elective3
 18 18
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
MUTH 49512MUTH 49631
 12 1
Total Credits 121
1

Students must take a course in ethics as part of certification for Music Therapy.

2

PSYC 201 must be taken prior to PSYC 365 per the Psychology department.  Both psychology courses must be taken prior to the third year for the MUTH Lifespan courses.

3

Students should enroll in MUTH 496 in any semester following MUTH 495 if the internship will not be completed by the start of the next semester.