THIS PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.
The Master of Music in Music Therapy (MMT) Program Prepares You for Advanced Clinical Practice.
The two-year, 34-credit Master of Music Therapy degree provides advanced theoretical, clinical and musical knowledge and skills for those who already have the MT-BC credential and wish to advance their clinical practice knowledge, while developing skills as a researcher. Students complete coursework in intensive weekend retreats, with ongoing mentorship from faculty, allowing them to continue their work as a music therapist without interruption.
By enriching your current clinical practice through a focus on clinical improvisation, receptive music skills, resource development and verbal skills, students gain new insights into their existing practice, including knowledge and skills that deepen practice.
In addition, by offering courses that expand your knowledge of private practice, reimbursement and billing, you will learn about the business of music therapy to consider new settings and practices that develop your professional goals.
Mentorship and a dynamic learning experience are central to this process. Our faculty combine over three decades of clinical experience, with their unique perspectives and practices, to provide you with an educational experience tailored to your learning needs.
Master of Music Therapy Program Overview
The music therapy program at 四虎影视 is one of only听two programs in the state of Virginia, and our 42-year old program is听a hub for music therapy activity in the community.
As a working professional, we understand your need to balance your听studies with your professional life. All courses are taught in intensive听retreats (typically 4 each semester) that allow you continue working.听We work to directly apply the knowledge you develop in the听classroom into your clinical work, through supervision and practical听assignments.
We also seek interdisciplinary collaborations. This includes听interdisciplinary research seminars in the Conservatory, and case听collaborations with the graduate nursing program as part of our听expanding relationship with the health sciences.
Graduate Assistantships
Students applying to the MMT program are eligible to apply for a graduate assistantship. Each assistantship provides partial tuition remission, along with a small stipend for each semester the student holds the assistantship. In addition to the financial benefits of an assistantship, students have the opportunity to:
- Teach music therapy classes, under the supervision of music therapy faculty
- Assist in the development of courses, through dialogue and feedback with course faculty
- Mentor students in the Professional Studies Certification program
- Develop supervisory skills through the direct supervision of undergraduate and Professional Studies Certification students, in both academic and clinical settings.
For more information about graduate assistantships, please contact Dr. Meadows ameadows2@su.edu
Career & Salary Possibilities
The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) provides annual听salary data for music therapists, updated each year and available online for review (www.musictherapy.org). In their 2015 analysis, the听average salary from professionals with a Bachelor鈥檚 degree was听$46,740.00. Music therapists with a Master鈥檚 degree earned, on听average, $55,019.00. The average music therapy salary in Virginia is听$52,263.00.
Highest Level of Education | Number | Average Salary | Median Salary | Salary Mode | Salary Range |
Bachelor’s Degree | 311 | $46,740 | $42,000 | $40,000 | $10,000-$420,000 |
Master’s Degree | 308 | $55,019 | $50,000 | $40,000 | $12,000-$375,000 |
Doctorate Degree | 64 | $81,617 | $70,000 | $100,000 | $45,000-$180,000 |
Music therapists continue to work in a wide range of settings, with听diverse groups of clients, including geriatric facilities (15%), medical听settings (14%), mental health settings (12%), private practice (12%)听and children鈥檚 facilities/schools (11%). 26% of music therapists are听now business owners.
Shenandoah Conservatory has changed my life. Decades ago I completed my undergraduate degree in psychology because I didn鈥檛 have either the courage or the vision to make my life all about my greatest passion 鈥攎usic. For more than 30 years I鈥檝e been a choir director in the a cappella Barbershop harmony style and found deep satisfaction working with older adults. When we learned that my first child was on the autism spectrum I became aware of the field of music therapy and became a parent advocate in our local school system. Then the faculty of the Music Therapy department at Shenandoah Conservatory inspired me to change the course of my life. With their guidance I鈥檝e become a board-certified music therapist and am completing my Master of Music Therapy degree.听Through the strong ties the conservatory has with the Winchester community, I was given the opportunity to pursue research in the use of therapeutic choir singing to improve the vocal function of people with Parkinson鈥檚 disease. The music therapy profession is broad and dynamic; our training at Shenandoah affords us the opportunity to work with, for example, children and adults with disabilities, older adults, veterans, at-risk youth, and people recovering from traumatic brain injuries. From the start, my faculty advisors got to know me, tailored a plan to suit me, and invested themselves in seeing me thrive. Now I鈥檝e started my own practice, , and look forward to a future full of possibilities.”
鈥擱ichard Lewellen, Master of Music Therapy 鈥15
Classes
Like music therapy itself, our program emphasizes discovery, in听which you learn more about yourself, your strengths, and areas for听development. We place a strong emphasis on mentorship, and our听advanced supervision opportunities provide you with the individual听attention needed to deepen your understanding of yourself, music,听and the therapeutic process.
Classes are small, and built around dialogue. While new concepts听and materials are always introduced and developed in our classes,听experiential learning, discussion and debate occur across the听curriculum.
For example, in MUTH 616 Contemporary Improvisational Practices,听students worked on a variety of improvisational methods and听techniques through experiential exercises and classroom听demonstrations, integrating this directly into clinical practice through听classroom assignments. After completing the assignment, students听report on the session, offering a video (when ethically permitted) or听audio analysis for discussion and feedback.
Faculty
The Music Therapy program has three full-time faculty, four part-time听faculty, and number of guest speakers.
Dr. Tony Meadows, MT-BC,听LPC, FAMI, is Director Graduate Studies, advises all gradate听students, and teaches the majority of the MMT program. He is a GIM听Fellow, completing Analytical Music Therapy training, and has more听than 20 years clinical experience. Dr. Meadows has published听extensively in the field.
Dr. Bronwen Landless, Ph.D., MT-BC, has more than a decade of experience working in adolescent mental health, which she has expanded into a community music therapy model for people experiencing homelessness. Bronwen has presented at national and international conferences and she serves as the North America Regional Liaison for the World Federation of Music Therapy.
Dr. Hakeem Leonard, MT-BC, teaches in both the undergraduate and听graduate programs, and has worked with a wide variety of clients. He听has specific expertise in music therapy business practices, and听multicultural awareness.
Tony Meadows
Director of Music Therapy Studies; Coordinator of Graduate Music Therapy; Associate Professor, Music Therapy
Full BiographyApplication & Audition Information
Admission to Shenandoah Conservatory graduate programs is highly competitive and the audition schedule fills rapidly. Early application and audition registration is recommended.听
Conservatory Graduate Application Information
Applicants must have a Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in music therapy or听creative arts therapy with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a听4.0 scale), Music Therapy Board Certification (MT-BC), and one year听of full-time clinical experience, or equivalent.
After applying, you must arrange an audition by emailing Dr.听Meadows at ameadows2@su.edu. In order to be admitted into the听graduate music therapy program, you must be admitted into the听Shenandoah Conservatory and pass the audition/interview.
The audition is one hour and divided into two parts. In the first part,听you perform one piece on your primary instrument (that reflects your听skills) and a total of four songs on piano and guitar (two each), in听which you sing and play. Choose a range of styles that reflect your听interests and skills, including children鈥檚 songs, pop, folk, show, jazz,听blues and 鈥渙ldies.鈥
In the second part of the audition, you will be asked a range of听questions about your interest in music therapy, your background听experiences, goals and general knowledge of the field. You will also听be given the opportunity to ask questions about the program.
Please note that the piece you perform on your primary instrument听should reflect your musical training. Typically, this means performing听a piece from your undergraduate studies (and/or current training),听from either the classical or jazz tradition. This piece does not need to听be memorized, and for vocalists, an accompanist is not provided.听Vocalists may bring an accompanist, a recording to provide听accompaniment, or sing acapella.
Scheduling An Audition
Auditions can be arranged in one of two ways. For applicants who听live close to campus, auditions are scheduled on campus during the听week, or selective weekends in the spring semester. Typically,听students will meet with Dr Meadows in Ruebush 216, in the main听conservatory building. On-campus parking is free, and generally听readily available.听Students living more than 150 miles from campus can elect a Skype听interview. These are arranged directly with Dr Meadows, and can be听scheduled most days of the week, pending availability.