Post-baccalaureate Certification in Music Therapy

Upon completion of the required academic curriculum, application is made for a clinical training site approved by the American Music Therapy Association for a six to nine month internship program. Once the internship is completed, students are eligible to take the board certification exam. The "Music Therapist-Board Certified" (MT-BC) Credential is granted upon the successful completion of the exam. This is required for entry into the field of music therapy.

Course Requirements

Post-baccalaureate certification course work in music therapy is available to those with a B.M. or B.S. in music education or performance. Selection of students for this program depends upon completion of the admissions and audition process, review of transcripts, and an interview with the department chair.

The prerequisites are as follows:

1. You must have earned an undergraduate degree in music from an accredited institution.
2. You must demonstrate competencies and equivalences in all other undergraduate courses. This includes an evaluation of your transcripts and proficiency testing.
3. You must demonstrate equivalences in applied music areas.

View Gainful Employment Disclosure for Certificates.

Sample Curriculum

*These courses may be taken at another university or college. A grade of C must be achieved for transfer of credits to Duquesne University. Transcripts will be evaluated according to the standards of the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).

Competency and skill in the area of piano, guitar and voice are part of the audition requirements. Strengths and weaknesses in these areas will be assessed and recommendations for study will then be made according to the Standards of the AMTA.

Upon the completion of the academic requirements, a 6 month internship of 1040 hours must be completed at an AMTA or Duquesne University affiliated institution.

NOTE: Without a previous music degree, a formal audition is required and a 132 credit degree program must be completed at Duquesne. Some liberal arts courses from the initial degree may satisfy the requirements.