Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Music Therapy

Music Therapy Program

The Music Therapy program at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga prepares students to become board-certified music therapists through a combination of academic study and clinical training.

Music therapy is an evidence-based clinical practice that uses structured music experiences to support non-musical goals. These may include cognitive, emotional, social, communication, motor, and wellness outcomes.

Students learn how to design and implement therapeutic interventions such as:

Music listening
Singing
Instrumental performance
Songwriting
Improvisation

What Music Therapists Do

Music therapists work with individuals across the lifespan in a variety of settings. They use music to support:

Cognitive development
Communication skills
Motor coordination
Social interaction
Emotional expression and well-being

The field of music therapy is supported by decades of research, with ongoing studies continuing to expand its clinical impact.

Singers on stage with a lecturer smiling

Learning Experience at UTC

UTC music therapy students engage in both classroom instruction and hands-on learning experiences.

Through this approach, students develop:

Critical thinking skills
Communication skills
Problem-solving abilities

These skills directly support success in clinical practice.

Clinical Training and Fieldwork

Students gain experience working with diverse clinical populations through supervised field placements. These experiences help students:

Apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings
Build professional skills
Develop a foundation for lifelong learning and reflection

Students also collaborate on community-based music programs, using music to support growth and positive change.

Curriculum and Faculty Support

UTC faculty and staff provide structured academic and clinical instruction across:

Music foundation courses
Clinical foundation courses
Music therapy courses

The program emphasizes:

Competency-based skill development
Professional identity formation
Ethical and reflective practice

Students are supported in developing a strong sense of self as future music therapy professionals.

The Accreditation and Professional Standards

The UTC Music Therapy program follows the standards and guidelines of the American Music Therapy Association, including:

Code of Ethics
Professional Competencies
Standards for Education and Clinical Training

The program is fully approved by:

American Music Therapy Association
Tennessee Higher Education Commission

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is also an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music.

Ready to Become a Music Therapy Major?

Course Overview

Photo of Music Therapy students playing guitar

Total Credit Hours: 124

General Education (34 hours)

(see Certified General Education Courses for the list of approved courses)

Rhetoric and Communication: (6 hours)

Complete two approved courses in rhetoric and communication

Humanities and Fine Arts (12 hours)

Complete four approved courses from at least two prefixes (i.e., ART, ENGL, HIST, MUS)
- MUS 1110 - Introduction to Music
- MUS 3110 - Musics of the World
- One approved Humanities and Fine Arts course outside of MUS prefix
- One approved Humanities and Fine Arts course outside of MUS prefix

Natural Sciences: (4 hours)

Complete one approved natural science course, including a laboratory component

Behavioral and Social Sciences: (6 hours)

PSY 1010 - Introduction to Psychology
One approved behavioral or social science course other than Psychology

Quantitative and Reasoning: (3 hours)

One approved quantitative and reasoning course

Individual and Global Citizenship: (3 hours)

Complete one approved individual and global citizenship course

Music Therapy Curriculum

Music Foundations (44 hours)

MUS 1710 - Musicianship I
MUS 1720 - Musicianship II
MUS 1730 – Aural Skills I
MUS 1740 – Aural Skills II
MUS 1750 - Musicianship Lab I
MUS 1760 – Musicianship Lab II
MUS 2050r – Fundamentals of Music Composition
MUS 2710 – Musicianship III
MUS 2720 – Musicianship IV
MUS 2730 – Aural Skills III
MUS 2740 – Aural Skills IV
MUS 2750 – Musicianship Lab III
MUS 2760 – Musicianship Lab IV
MUS 3030 – Basic Conducting
MUS 3110 – Musics of the World#
MUS 3150 – History of Music I
MUS 3160 – History of Music II
Ensemble participation (7 hours/semester).
4 semesters (4 hours) of 2000-level primary applied study.

Clinical Foundations (17 hours)

PSY 1010 – Introduction to Psychology
PSY 2210 – The Psychology of Child Development
PSY 2220 – The Psychology of Adolescence and Adulthood
MUS 1820 - Beginning Dance for the Music Therapist (3)
MUS 3800 - Anatomy & Physiology for the Music Therapist (3)
EDUC 2200 – Survey of Exceptional Learners (3)
HHP 0021 – Concepts of Wellness (1)

Music Therapy Concentration (26-28 hours)

MUS 1360R - Guitar Class for Music Therapists (2 semesters)
MUS 1810 - Introduction to Music Therapy (3)
MUS 2810 - Music Therapy Clinical Skills (2)
MUS 3810 - Music Therapy Principles and Foundations (3)
MUS 3820 - Music Therapy Applications (3)
MUS 3830r - Music Therapy Practicum (1 hour/4 semesters)
MUS 4210 - Psychology of Music (3)
MUS 4820 - Music Therapy Measurement and Research (3)
MUS 4830 - Music Therapy Internship (6)

Electives (3 hours)

Additional Requirements for all Music Therapy Majors:

All coursework must be completed prior to enrolling in MUS 4830 - Music Therapy Internship.
Successful completion of Continuation Standards is a prerequisite to enrollment in upper-division music courses and Music Therapy concentration courses.
A seminar is required each semester of residence. A minimum of 8 semesters with a grade of SATISFACTORY is required.
For graduation: 2.0 GPA in all required major and related courses (including specified General Education courses).
2.75 average cumulative, including 2.75 average at UTC and 2.75 average in content area coursework with no grade lower than C.
Minimum of 39 hours of 3000 and 4000 level courses
See Degree and Graduation Requirements for additional requirements.

#Also satisfies General Education requirement.

Clear Path for Advising

Students should familiarize themselves with their Clear Path before seeking advisement.

Please see the Course Catalogue for more information.

Audition Requirements

All music therapy majors are expected to perform appropriate undergraduate repertoire; demonstrate musicianship, technical proficiency, and interpretive understanding on a principal instrument/voice.

Also, majors should be able to perform in small and large ensembles. Each music therapy major is required to complete a total of four semesters of applied study on their principal instrument/voice at the 2000-level. Placement into the applied level of study is determined by audition. Please see the audition requirements for your principal instrument here.

Music therapy majors who have studied guitar as a secondary instrument and proficiently demonstrate the foundational skills listed below, are eligible to be exempt from the first-semester guitar requirement. Please contact Professor Katherine Goforth Elverd directly to schedule your audition for guitar.

Lead and accompany proficiently on guitar.
Play basic chord progressions in several major keys with varied accompaniment patterns.

- D Major (I, IV, V)

- G Major (I, IV, V)

- A Major (I, IV, V)

- E Major (I, IV, V7)

- C Major (I, IV, V)

Play basic minor chords - E minor, A minor, and D minor.
Play and sing basic repertoire on guitar (traditional, folk, and/or popular songs) with lead sheets.
Sing in tune with a pleasing quality and adequate volume with guitar accompaniment.
Tune guitar using standard tuning.
Care for and maintain the guitar.

Music Therapy Equivalency Program

UTC offers a music therapy equivalency program for post-baccalaureate students seeking board certification in music therapy. This track allows a student who holds a degree in a complementary field to earn an equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in music therapy, in preparation for the board certification exam. Therefore, students are taking courses in music foundations, clinical foundations, and music therapy foundations. Students eligible to complete the music therapy equivalency program who hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a complementary field from an accredited institution with a degree in the area of:

Music
Psychology
Education
Nursing
Social Work
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Communication Science and Disorders
Mental Health Counseling

Please note that students who hold a bachelor’s degree outside the listed complementary fields must complete the Bachelor of Music, Concentration in Music Therapy track.

Music therapy equivalency students are required to complete the following outlined music therapy equivalency coursework. UTC will honor previously completed coursework that meets the program requirements and is documented on an official transcript.