Top 5 Reasons You Should Consider Studying Music Therapy at SMWC

Have you considered studying music therapy? If you have, we might be the perfect place for you! Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC), aka "The Woods", proudly offers undergraduate, graduate, and equivalency (both campus and distance) programs. With our long-standing history, tradition of innovation and excellence, distinguished faculty, and beautiful campus, you will have an unforgettable experience that reaches far beyond the classroom!

Banner welcoming students to Le Fer Hall

Below, you will find the top five reasons why YOU should consider studying music therapy at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. 

5. The History

Throughout our long history (since 1840), the music therapy program has continued to expand its educational opportunities. In 1983, SMWC proudly established the campus-based Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy (BSMT). In 2000, SMWC started our Master of Arts in Music Therapy (MAMT) program, allowing music therapists to study in a graduate program that is a hybrid: both online format and campus residencies at the start of each semester to allow for cohort connection and intensive hands-on learning in clinical improvisation, Guided Imagery in Music (BMGIM), and more. In 2012, SMWC established our Music Therapy Equivalency Distance Program (MTED), the first distance program of its kind to offer individuals with bachelor's degrees in music an opportunity to return to school and become a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC)! The program has a similar structure to the MAMT program, with campus residencies at the start of each semester, but allowing students to complete their pre-clinical practicum experiences near their home. Many students love SMWC so much that they choose to obtain their BS in Music Therapy (or MTED certificate) and then complete their MA in Music Therapy here as well.

From left: the Avenue, the Church of Immaculate
Conception, and the Conservatory of Music 

4. The Campus

As soon as you reach the entrance of Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods College, you'll experience the picturesque scenery that The Woods has to offer. Driving down the Avenue, you just might experience your "Avenue Moment".

3. The Faculty

SMWC has distinguished faculty in all music therapy programs. In addition, full-time and adjunct faculty are experts in the field in a range of areas.

SMWC music therapy students participating
in an interactive rhythmic experience.

2. The Culture

All music therapy programs provide developmentally progressive courses and clinical opportunities. Clinical musicianship and an emphasis on improvisation are core components of all programs. As a Woods music therapy student, we exemplify the core values of the College: Social justice, spirituality, sustainability, and gender equality. Leadership, service, a sense of community, and advocating for social justice are at the heart of our programs.

SMWC music therapy students improvising.

1. The Experience

At The Woods, students have the opportunity to begin their practicum experiences in their first year. Additionally, students receive weekly
supervision with their faculty supervisor and onsite practicum supervisor(s) in addition to their group supervision class. Some clinical opportunities include sites such as elementary schools, behavioral health units, a juvenile detention center, long term care facilities, and adult day facilities. Telehealth practicum placements have further expanded educational opportunities. Students have the opportunity to work with experienced professionals, gaining invaluable clinical experience in a variety of settings. All students in the music therapy program  experience peer mentorships, allowing them to develop collegial relationships and learn from peers to create a strong sense of community. Finally, the individualized growth and development of each student into a strong music therapy professional lead to many alumni becoming business owners, clinicians in large hospitals, researchers, and leaders throughout the music therapy profession.

Sound like your kind of college program? Then be sure to contact us for more information (see below) and check out our website.

Cecilian Auditorium

Blog Post Author: Autumn Wilson, Music Therapy Student Assistant and music therapy major

Editor: Sharon R. Boyle, MM, MT-BC, Associate Professor of Music Therapy and Coordinator of the Undergraduate Music Therapy Program, Chair of the Department of Music and Theatre

Photo Credits: Sharon R. Boyle, MM, MT-BC, Sue Weatherwax, Associate Director of Creative Services, & Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods College

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For more information about the SMWC Undergraduate Music Therapy and Music Therapy Equivalency-Campus programs, contact:
Sharon R. Boyle, MM, MT-BC 
sboyle@smwc.edu 

For information about the SMWC Master of Arts in Music Therapy program, contact: Dr. Tracy Richardson, MT-BC
trichardson@smwc.edu

For more information about the SMWC Music Therapy Equivalency-Distance (MTED)Online program, contact:  Larisa McHugh, MA, MT-BC
lmchugh@smwc.edu

Graduate Study in Music Therapy at SMWC: An Interview With Beth Deyermond, MA, MT-BC

Beth Deyermond, MA, MT-BC has been a practicing music therapist for over 14 years.  She is the Music Therapy Department Chair and Internship Director at The Center for Discovery (TCFD) in Harris, NY.  TCFD is a residential school for children and adults with significant multiple disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders.  Beth is married and has two children, Sophia (10) and James (7).  She graduated with her Masters of Arts in Music Therapy degree from SMWC in December 2015.

Deyermond at December 2015 Commencement
Receiving her MA in Music Therapy

"What drew you to SMWC for the MAMT Program?"

I had been a practicing music therapist for twelve years before deciding to go back to school.  During that time, I had experience with a number of different programs and came to the conclusion it was important for me to be a part of a program that worked with my familial and professional responsibilities, and also one that resonated with my personal philosophy of Music Therapy.  The MAMT program at the Woods fit that bill 100%. Even though it was very far away, and I knew it would be difficult to be away from my family and from my job during the residencies, the residency format allowed me a level of choice so that I could live my life in the way I preferred and I needed (Besides, I am now an expert at air travel!).  

In addition to the residency format, I would be remiss without saying I was particularly drawn to the diversity of coursework and the caliber of professors teaching the different courses.  After finishing the program, I can honestly say that my hopes and expectations in this area were surpassed by far.

"How did you balance your family life and work life while completing this degree?"

Is it bad that I laughed out loud when I read this question?  There were times during the program when I honestly didn’t know how I was going to get it all done.  Life happens to all of us and it is constantly stretching us beyond our perceived capabilities. 

When I started this program, I made a decision: family always came first.  I did not want my kids to miss out on quality time with their mother.  I did not want to miss a soccer game or a dance recital because of schoolwork.  Because I made that a priority, I really had to plan my time and use it in a focused way.

I said the word “plan”.  I will admit that I absolutely love to plan.  I love to make lists.  I love to cross things off my lists.  This very much came in handy during the program.  At the start of every semester, I made a list of all of the assignments and when they were due.  At the start of every week, I made a plan and a timeline for what needed to get done each night and tried my hardest to stick to that plan.   

Family comes first!

 Even with all of the planning, there came a point in time when I realized I needed to allow myself some grace.  My house was not always as clean as usual.  I wasn’t always able to make dinner completely from scratch.  I had to learn to say “no” when I had too much on my plate.  I also had to learn to ask for help (Luckily I am blessed with a wonderful and supportive husband and a wonderful and supportive supervisor). It was difficult to admit that I couldn’t do it all, but when I did, the balancing act became much easier and so much less stressful.

It was not always easy.  It was not always pretty.  It was not always “balanced”, but I still made it through, and my kids were so proud of me.  Knowing that is even better than the pride I have in myself.

 "What have your experiences been like as an Internship Supervisor?"

People have often asked me why I supervise interns.  Isn’t it difficult? Doesn’t that take up a lot of time? Why do you accept so many at once? (We currently have eight MT interns and four staff music therapists). The answer to that is yes, it is difficult and yes, it takes up a lot of time, but, with each intern, I learn as well.  I learn about myself.  I learn new clinical techniques.  I learn how to be a good and effective supervisor. I learn about being an ineffective and bad supervisor. I learn about new music and new technologies. 

It is for all of these reasons I feel it is worth it. At The Center for Discovery, we work using primarily clinical improvisation.  I love challenging interns to think of their session work in a music-centered manner.  I love the moment when an intern connects with an individual and you can feel the electricity pulsing through the music. I love when an intern conquers their fear of the piano. And, I love when an intern develops confidence in their clinical abilities and in areas that may have been a struggle in the past.

So, the answer is “yes”.  Training interns is a lot of work.  But it has absolutely made me a better therapist and a better supervisor overall.  I hope to have the opportunity to do it for many more years.

"What did you like the most about the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Master of Arts in Music Therapy Program?"

There are so many positive experiences it is hard for me to pick just one!  My immediate answer to this question is the relationships that formed during this experience.  With each incoming cohort, there is an opportunity to create a bond that is uniquely special and strong. I was blessed to enter and finish the program with eight of the most amazing, brilliant, talented, and passionate women I have ever known.

A student's cohort provides needed support throughout the program.
Pictured: Beth's cohort and fellow December 2015 graduates

I also loved the fact that the program reignited my love of learning.  I will freely admit that I was not one to get the Journal of Music Therapy or Music Therapy Perspectives journal and sit down to read them cover-to-cover.  The program at SMWC helped inspire me to get back into reading current literature and looking into a broader range of topics I knew would only enhance my clinical and supervisory work.

"What things did you learn at SMWC to help you further your clinical skills as a music therapist?"

I think one of the biggest things I learned from the MAMT program is a deeper understanding of myself.  Each class was challenging in its own way and either taught me a new skill, or reminded me of a trait that is not always in my personal forefront.  Each skill learned is something to translate into my clinical work...perseverance, trust, patience, empathy, and confidence.

"What is it like supervising interns (undergraduates) who come from the same school as you?"

I don’t think I’ve ever been asked this question!  I’ve supervised interns who went to the same undergraduate program as me, but I was there long before they were, and the program has definitely evolved and changed since then.  That being said, I actually did supervise a Woods student while I was in the MAMT program.   It was nice because it gave us something to talk about at the beginning of our supervisory relationship. It also provided an instant connection both of us took pride in.

"What would you like to let someone else know about your experience in the SMWC MAMT program and its impact on your life?

Beth and her husband

This experience was one of the best decisions I have made. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there is something about the campus that pulls you in.  From the moment you step on campus, you become a part of something greater.  There is a history there that you become part of.  There is pride in all aspects of the campus and in all aspects of the program. The professors are not only brilliant, but are also supportive and relatable. When you are done with the program, you experience a sense of accomplishment that is absolutely incredible. I am so very grateful for my experience at The Woods and all of the individuals who helped me along the way!

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Written by: Nathan Mensah, senior music therapy major

Edited by: Sharon R. Boyle, Associate Professor of Music Therapy

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For information about the SMWC Master of Arts in Music Therapy program, contact:

Dr. Tracy Richardson, MT-BC

Director of Master of Arts in Music Therapy Program

Chair of the Music and Theatre Department

(email) trichardson@smwc.edu

For more information about the SMWC Undergraduate Music Therapy and Music Therapy Equivalency-Campus programs, contact:

Sharon R. Boyle, MM, MT-BC

Coordinator of Undergraduate and Campus Music Therapy Programs

(email) sboyle@smwc.edu 

For more information about the SMWC Music Therapy Equivalency-Distance (MTED) program, contact: 

Larisa McHugh, MA, MT-BC

Coordinator of the Music Therapy Equivalency Distance Program

(email) lmchugh@smwc.edu.

SMWC Music Therapy Faculty Spotlight: An Interview with Larisa McHugh

Larisa McHugh, MA, MT-BC, is the Coordinator of the Music Therapy Equivalency Distance (MTE-D) Program at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. As an alum from the Master of Arts in Music Therapy (MAMT) Program, Larisa has a unique understanding of the Woods and has been a wonderful addition to the faculty. Music Therapy Student Assistant and Music Therapy Equivalency Campus (MTE-C) student Nathan Mensah recently interviewed Larisa for this special Faculty Spotlight Feature.

Pictured: Larisa McHugh, MA-MT-BC

Nathan:  Would you mind telling me a little bit about your background in music?

Larisa: Yeah, so I come from a pretty musical family. I picked up piano pretty early on and then in elementary school I started saxophone. Through high school I got involved in choir, so I spent quite a bit of time in music. And, it made sense...if you spend so much time in something, you might as well make it what you do right?

Nathan: Yes, absolutely! With that diverse background, when did you decide on music therapy?

Larisa: I think it was in high school when I made that decision- chase my dreams and become a soccer star (*laughs), or go into music. And there was a voice in my head that said, “You probably won’t make it very far in soccer”, so I decided to major in music. However, I did not know about music therapy when I set out. I would describe what I wanted to do at different schools and they would suggest creating a degree program or a double major, because they did not know about music therapy. So I started off in music education, and later transferred to a school that offered music therapy and I thought “oh my gosh, this is a real profession!”. This was not something I had to create- it exists! So I transferred after 2 years at Ohio State to a Music Therapy Program at University of Dayton. From there, I completed my internship and started working right away as a music therapist and soon after got my masters degree from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.

Nathan: Cool! That actually kind of leads to another question. What was your favorite part about being a student at the Woods?

Larisa: Oh my gosh, the connection. The connections I was able to make while a student at the Woods, not only with my cohort and the connections that I made with the wonderful professors, but the connections I was able to make with myself. Interpersonally and intrapersonally, I made connections that truly deepened my work. It brought everything together for me. I found a group of people I know I will be connected with for a long time. These are the most important friendships I’ve ever had, from my time at the Woods. I was able to connect who I was personally and professionally. There’s so much to be said about my time at the Woods, it is a very special place.

Nathan: Yes, it is!

Larisa: Yeah, everything just flowed together so that my work became part of my studies, and my studies were able to be completed in my work. It really helped to introduce me to new things and possibilities and set me on a path to continue to explore and to continue to deepen those connections that were made.

Nathan: You have a unique situation: You were a student at the Woods and now you are teaching at the Woods as well. What’s that like?

Larisa: It’s fantastic to be able to return to the Woods and to hopefully offer some of what was offered to me as a student to future music therapists. In a way, it’s giving back to the Woods and to the profession, and at the same time it is quite rewarding to witness the growth of the students, to see that light bulb go off for them. I’m really inspired by the work that they do and the sacrifices they are willing to make to become a music therapist- it’s great.

Nathan: Out of curiosity, what classes are you teaching (in the MTE-D program) right now?

Larisa: I’m supervising the Practicum courses, teach the Music Psychology course, and teach our Seminar course which covers ethics, reimbursement, and preparation for internship. And then I also supervise students in their internship.

Nathan: Nice! How long have you been teaching?

Larisa: The MTE-D Program started in 2012 [by Dr. Tracy Richardson], so I’ve been teaching at the Woods since 2012. Before that I had the privilege of supervising students in the Undergraduate Music Therapy Intensive Practicum course [in collaboration with Associate Professor Sharon R. Boyle], so I had some students from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods come out and spend 4-6 weeks during the summer for a practicum experience in the long term care facility where I worked at the time. That was great. I started working as a music therapist in, I think, 1996? And I began an internship program, supervised students, and taught as Adjunct Faculty at University of Dayton, and now at the Woods. In January, they made me the full-time Coordinator of the MTE-D Program.

Nathan: Congratulations!

Larisa: Thanks!

Nathan: These last two questions are a little more laid back: What type of things do you like to do outside of work?

Larisa: I have my furry little four-legged friends, I practice yoga, and I continue to make music just for fun. I love to garden and to cook. 

Nathan:  Last but not least,  and this might be challenging as a musician, but what’s your favorite song and artist right now?

Larisa: That is such a challenging question to answer! And it might be challenging for our clients as well, even those non-musicians...if I was stranded on an island, I can always go back to Gershwin, and “Rhapsody in Blue”- it always brings a smile. There’s a certain point in the piece where I always get goose bumps. If I had to pick a favorite, I’d always come back to that. But I enjoy many styles of music as a musician. 

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For more information about the Undergraduate (Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy) or the Music Therapy Equivalency Campus Programs, contact Sharon R. Boyle, MM, MT-BC, Associate Professor of Music Therapy:

 (812) 535-5145

• sboyle@smwc.edu

For more information about the Master of Arts in Music Therapy (MAMT) Program, contact Dr. Tracy Richardson, MT-BC:

• (812) 535-5154
• trichardson@smwc.edu

For more information about the Music Therapy Equivalency Distance Program, contact Larisa McHugh, MA, MT-BC: 

• (812) 230-6662

• lmchugh@smwc.edu