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Music Therapy

Converse’s Music Therapy degree program blends music, psychology, and neuroscience to support an individual’s physical, emotional, cognitive and social development.

Music therapists work with clients of all ages from newborns to older adults using music to help them achieve therapeutic goals.

Degrees Offered

  • Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy
  • Equivalency program: open to those with a degree in music who wish to complete the coursework necessary to sit for the National Board Certification Examination.
  • Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy
  • Equivalency program: open to those with a degree in music who wish to complete the coursework necessary to sit for the National Board Certification Examination.
  • About Music Therapy

    Music therapists work with people of all ages and backgrounds, in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, clinics, rehabilitation centers, hospice and wellness programs. The client and the music therapist engage together in music making, listening and exploring meaning and memories associated with music. Music therapists are creative musicians who are committed to music and personal growth, and have a desire to help others.

    Our Music Therapy program provides comprehensive training in becoming a therapist within the context of developing your personal musicianship, knowledge of evidence-based practice, and the neuroscience of music. In addition to classroom settings, you will receive individualized clinical training with each faculty member at a community healthcare or education setting in their clinical practicum sequence. Our small class sizes allow us to personalize the music therapy curriculum to meet your unique strengths and skills. You’ll also be encouraged to explore your own creativity to deepen your personal understanding of the benefits of music as a healing art.

    Our experienced faculty have worked in the profession in a wide variety of healthcare and education settings. Both are active researchers, authors of music therapy publications, and presenters at professional conferences in the US and abroad. All also serve in leadership roles in our state, regional, and national music therapy organizations.

    Other reasons to choose Converse:

    • We partner with Spartanburg Regional Health System for medical music therapy services, including clinical training for students.
    • Music therapy education and clinical training is conducted within the Petrie School of Music, known for its musical excellence.
    • Music therapy faculty mentor student involvement in professional organizations.

    Study-Travel

    Traveling abroad provides a well-rounded foundation in all areas of study. Whether you spend a few weeks during a Jan Term trip, or the entire semester abroad, you will return with new insights and experiences.

    Converse’s art and music therapy students joined together in two service learning trips to Port-Au-Prince, Haiti following a devastating earthquake there.  Read more

    Musicians Helping Others

    This student-led organization includes music therapy majors and interested students who want to share the power of music for health and well-being. You’ll find them leading campus drum circles, organizing community jam sessions and advocating for the music therapy profession.

    Clinical Training

    As a Music Therapy student, you’ll complete a total of 1200 hours of clinical training before graduation. Your training will include clinical practicum rotations (min. 180 hours) in a variety of settings around the Upstate that may include a medical setting, community mental health program, or local school. After you have finished your coursework, you’ll complete an internship (min. 900 hours) at an approved clinical training program anywhere in the US.

    Here are a few of the clinical practicum rotations we offer:

    • Spartanburg Regional Health System: adult and pediatric hospital patients and hospice families
    • Meyer Center, Greenville: charter school for children with special needs
    • Mountainview Nursing Center: nursing care facility for adults and older adults
    • New Day Clubhouse: community day program for adults in recovery from mental illness; some also are in recovery from addictions
    • Pacolet Elementary School: preschool special education/early intervention classroom
    • Private music therapy practices in the Upstate

    Bachelor of Music (BM) in Music Therapy

    Our professional degree program will prepare you to meet entry-level competencies set by the American Music Therapy Association in order to prepare for professional practice in music therapy. Students who successfully complete four years of coursework and 1200 clinical training hours that includes clinical practicum and a post-coursework internship will have met requirements to graduate and become eligible to sit for the national board certification examination administered by the Certification Board of Music Therapists. 100% of our graduates pass the CBMT exam.

    Students are advised that additional licensure may be required to practice music therapy in some states.

    Molly Glibbery Haitian Girls

    Sample Courses

      • Clinical and Professional Issues in Music Therapy
      • Clinical Processes in Music Therapy
      • Music Therapy Ensemble
      • Piano Applications in Music Therapy
      • Psychology of Music
    • Research in Music Therapy

    Audition/Application Requirement

    You’ll need to complete an audition/interview before acceptance into our music therapy program in addition to auditioning on your principal instrument. The music therapy audition requires that you sing a memorized song “with therapeutic intention” while accompanying yourself with either piano or guitar.

    Equivalency Program

    If you have already obtained a BM in another music area and wish to become a Board Certified Music Therapist, our Equivalency Program in Music Therapy is designed for you!

    You’ll take the additional courses required for the music therapy degree, including the psychology sequence, biology/ human anatomy, and music therapy core coursework, and the clinical requirements (4 practicum rotations and the required 6 month internship). Completing these requirements will make you eligible to take the national board certification examination to earn the credential “Music Therapist-Board Certified” and begin professional practice.

    View the BM in Music Therapy requirements.

    View the Music Therapy Equivalency Program requirements.

    Course Offerings & Academic Catalogs

    Music therapy is a growing field, with new positions opening around the US every year. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, E]employment in this area is projected to grow 4 percent from 2021 to 2031.

    Music Therapy Guitar

    Our alumni typically begin their first professional music therapy position within six months after graduation, if not sooner.

    What are Music Therapy alumni doing?

    We are proud to have Converse alumni working as music therapists across the country working in private and group practices and in healthcare and education facilities. Since our program started in 2006, Converse graduates have expanded music therapy services in South Carolina to include multiple new private practices and positions in hospitals, residential programs, and community organizations. Many also pursue graduate school in music therapy or related healthcare professions.

    Art therapy program SC
    Maddy Walsh ’19

    Trying Her Best: Maddy Walsh ’19

    Music Therapy student Maddy Walsh spent 17 months self-producing her own album. After a year and a half of trial and error, she found her groove. Watch her journey…

    Hero of Hospice: Bridget Brennan ’18

    Music Therapy grad Bridget Brennan ’18 was featured in Trustbridge Foundation’s Compassion newsletter and spotlighted in South Florida’s Sun-Sentinel for her passion for music therapy and her approach to it during the pandemic. Read more…

    Jobs

    Converse graduates can be found working in a variety of positions, including:

    • Music therapist
    • Activity therapist or director
    • Educational or therapy services staff
    • Case manager
    • Music therapy manager
    • Business/private practice owner
    • Clinical training supervisor and/or internship director
    • University faculty

    Next Steps

    • Request info Connect with us Opens new window
    • Visit the campus We will be your home
    • Apply online Start your journey Opens new window

    Department News

    Dr. Eggerding Explores ‘Music and Mind’ with Renée Fleming

    When famed soprano and arts and health advocate Renée Fleming takes the stage in Greenville on April 2, 2024, Converse Assistant Professor of Music Therapy Liz Eggerding, PhD, MT-BC, will …

    Read More

    Alison Hughey ’03 Featured on FOX News

    Adjunct Instructor of Music Therapy and Converse alumna Alison Hughey was featured on a FOX Carolina News feature about how music therapy can help relieve pain. The story was picked …

    Read More

    Faculty & Alumna Present at 17th World Congress of Music Therapy

    Associate Professor & Director of Music Therapy Carol L. Shultis presented at the 2023 World Congress of Music Therapy in Vancouver, British Columbia, in July. Dr. Shultis showcased her research titled …

    Read More

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