SMWC Music Therapy: undergraduate music therapy

Showing posts with label undergraduate music therapy. Show all posts

Friday, March 19, 2021

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

Monday, May 4, 2015

FAQs: Questions about Undergraduate Music Therapy at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College

Interested in studying music therapy and wondering about the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy or the Music Therapy Equivalency-Campus (MTE-C) programs?

Below are answers to some common questions which will hopefully stimulate even more of a dialogue during first meetings and auditions or interviews!

Question #1: How long has Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) offered music therapy as a program of study?

SMWC started the undergraduate music therapy program in 1983, under the guidance of Dr. Laurette Bellamy, SP, who felt that music therapy truly fit the mission of the College. Concurrently, the Music Therapy Equivalency-Campus (MTE-C) program was offered since the music therapy coursework is aligned. The only difference is that the equivalency program is a non-degree program, similar to a teacher certification program, where students who possess a music degree complete the music therapy course requirements, practica and clinical internship requirements, and then sit for the board certification examination. In 2000, Dr. Tracy Richardson began the Master of Arts in Music Therapy (MAMT) program and in fall 2014, launched the Music Therapy Equivalency-Distance (MTE-D) program allowing individuals from all over the country to complete their music therapy equivalency via a hybrid format, similar to the model used in our graduate program.

Question #2: What do SMWC graduates do with a Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy degree?

They work as music therapists! To practice as a board-certified music therapist, individuals need to possess a bachelor's degree in music therapy (or an equivalency), have completed a minimum of 1,200 clinical training hours (both pre-internship practica and 6-month internship), and then passed the music therapy board certification exam, which is a national examination administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). Passing this examination leads to the credential of MT-BC (music therapist-board certified).

Some of our students may go on to graduate school or receive additional specialized training, while others may work under other job titles such as: creative arts therapist, expressive arts therapist, case manager, etc. But, a majority of our graduates work as music therapists, with some even starting their own private practice businesses and employing other music therapists as their companies expand!

Question #3: What makes the SMWC Music Therapy undergraduate program unique or special?

A majority of our students and graduates typically say that it is the faculty which make (or made) their experience as a music therapy student wonderful. Our students truly grow and transform during their time in the program as this recent Senior Reflection clearly articulates!

Other unique features of our program include:

In the past 10 years, our graduates have had a 100% job placement rate for those who have sought either part-time or full-time work as music therapists within 3 months of completing internship.
99% of our graduates have passed the board certification examination on their first attempt since 2002.
Students begin their practicum placements in the 2nd semester of the program, with a developmental approach of observing/assisting-->co-facilitating-->primary facilitator.
Practicum students receive group supervision 1x weekly in a classroom setting and also receive an additional 30 minutes of clinical supervision each week.
Students may complete an optional Intensive Music Therapy Practicum the summer after their junior year (or as approved by instructor)
Our program emphasizes clinical improvisation, so in addition to developing functional music skills on piano, voice, guitar, and percussion, students also learn how to improvise and compose songs in a clinical setting using both rhythm and tonal instruments in an intentional way.
We have small classes allowing faculty to focus on helping each student further develop interests such as special projects, in addition to musical and clinical skills.

Question #4: What qualities and skills are you looking for in a prospective music therapy student?

Students who excel in our music therapy program possess the following qualities and skills:

Ability in, and affinity for, music
Emotional maturity and stability
Strong interpersonal and academic skills
Interest in a wide range of music styles and genres
Empathetic and compassionate nature
Desire to work within varied healthcare/educational settings
Dependable, professional, with good time management skills
Excitement for developing relationships with others through music

High school students are encouraged to take piano in addition to their other applied instrument and to also volunteer in a variety of ways through school/church/other service organizations. In addition, if students can shadow/observe a music therapist working, they are more likely to understand their intended career choice!

Question #5: Are there scholarship opportunities?

Absolutely! Students need to audition in order to be accepted into the Department of Music and Theatre as a music major and at the time of audition, they are also eligible to be considered for music scholarships. For more information about our music scholarship opportunities, click here.

Hopefully the answers to these basic questions will help prospective students better understand what the SMWC Music Therapy program can offer as they move forward with their college applications.