Master of Music Therapy by Coursework
Master of Music Therapy by Coursework through blended learning (partially on-line, and partially intensive learning)
“I’ve always wanted to be a music therapist, and now I can”
The MMusThrp was introduced in 2006, and the blended learning version of the course covers all subjects offered in the traditional class-mode. The subjects are grouped into three main areas (see the On-line Handbook for details about subject content):
1 - Theoretical Subjects
- Applications of Music in Therapy A (child clients)
- Applications of Music in Therapy B (adult clients)
- Applications of Music in Therapy C (contemporary contexts)
- Research in Music Therapy
- Music Psychology Research
- Minor Thesis 1
- Minor Thesis 2
2 - Methods Subjects
- Music Therapy Skills 1 (guitar, voice, groups and verbal counselling skills)
- Music Therapy Skills 2 (improvisation skills)
- Music Therapy Skills 3 (group improvisation, working toward performance and songwriting)
- Music Therapy Skills 4 (vocal improvisation, receptive methods)
3 - Clinical Training Subjects
- Clinical Training in Music Therapy 1 (up to 2 days per week supervised by a qualified music therapist) + tutorials
- Clinical Training in Music Therapy 2 (up to 2 days per week supervised by a qualified music therapist) + tutorials
- Clinical Training in Music Therapy 3 (up to 2 days per week supervised by a qualified music therapist) + tutorials
Theoretical subjects will be offered via on-line delivery and Methods subjects will be taught in intensive mode. Clinical Training will be carried out in the student’s home if there is adequate supervision from a qualified music therapist available.
The blended learning mode has been approved by the University of Melbourne, and the Education Committee of AMTA.
Information about the existing MMusThrp course, subject content, and links to fees, is available in the On-line Handbook.
Eligibility
Blended Learning studies are not available to international students in 2010. For the first year, this mode of delivery will only available to students in states where no music therapy courses are available and where approved Clinical Placement arrangements can be made. The University may consider applicants from rural areas in States where music therapy training is located but is not accessible to the individual applicant.
To be accepted into the Master of Music Therapy course, applicants must have:
- A Bachelor of Music or Bachelor of Music Education degree (or equivalent), of at least three years duration, OR
- A Bachelor degree in an allied field (e.g. teaching, occupational therapy, nursing etc.) plus a high standard of achievement in music performance (equivalent to 8th grade A.M.E.B), music history (equivalent to at least one-year study at tertiary level), and in music theory (equivalent to at least 5th grade A.M.E.B.).
- All applicants must have successfully completed at least two Psychology units at tertiary level.
- It is strongly recommended that applicants have some experience of working with people with special needs and have observed music therapy in practice. This experience will enhance the applicant's presentation at interview.
Application Procedure
Application Closing Date: 23 October 2009
Download an Application Form (PDF, 60Kb) and Referee Report Form (PDF, 50Kb).
There is no quota, but numbers are limited by the availability of clinical training sites. Approximately six to eight places will be offered each year. The University of Melbourne will determine if suitable Clinical Placement is available in the applicant’s home state. If not available, it may be possible to organise a full-time block placements in Victoria. Please note that if clinical placements can be organised in the applicant’s home state it is likely that this will involve some travel.
Certified transcripts of previous study must be attached to the application form together with an explanation of the results codes and returned to the Degree Programs with your application.
Applications must also include: an audition tape/CD; an example of academic writing; and 3 written references (details below).
Audition CD
An audition CD will be required for all applicants. The purpose of an audition CD is to enable assessment of the applicant's music performance ability and the level of musicianship.
- The audition CD must comprise three pieces of contrasting styles. These may be a combination of classical pieces, jazz, improvisatory work etc. or a range of classical pieces representative of different periods: e.g. Baroque, Classical, Romantic or Contemporary.
In addition, evidence of vocal skill must be provided by singing three songs (composed song, popular song or folk song) accompanied by the applicant on guitar (including first position chords; bar chords; bass runs; various accompanying styles such as strumming and picking techniques, and tonal improvisation techniques).
- The audition CD must carry a label with the statement 'I certify that this is a bona fide CD of my performance' with the name of the applicant, and duly signed. In the case of any doubt as to the authenticity of the audition CD, the Faculty of Music reserves the right to audition applicants further before final admission to the course.
References
Three references are required on the appropriate reference form: one character reference, one academic reference, and one from a person who can attest to the applicant's musical ability. These forms should be completed by persons who have known the applicant for at least one year.
Example of Academic Writing
Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in academic writing, by submitting three thousand words that demonstrate an ability to review and critique literature and use a consistent referencing style. You are welcome to submit a piece of writing from previous study or this may be a literature review of music therapy with a specified client group. You may be required to discuss this writing in the audition.
Police Checks
Changes have been made to the procedures under which many of the external organisations host clinical placements and students are required to have obtained a police check as to their suitability to undertake such placements. Students are required to undergo, at their own expense and arrangement, a police check prior to the commencement of their course.
Application Closing Date: 23 October 2009
Interview Process
Interviews will be conducted on Friday 6 November, Monday 9 November, Tuesday 10 November
An interview will be required for all applicants as part of the selection procedure. This will be a telephone interview in most cases.
During the interview the applicant may be asked to sing and accompany themself on guitar.
At the interview applicants will be asked to discuss their interest in the study of music therapy and any relevant experience. Applicants should be prepared to discuss their perceptions and understanding of music therapy and are strongly advised to observe qualified music therapists in their home states, noting how they engage with clients of different ages and with different conditions/needs. A certain level of basic understanding of music therapy will be assumed.
A list of facilities that have agreed to take applicants on observation is available from Loukia Gauntlett (email l.gauntlett@unimelb.edu.au).
Applicants should also research information on music therapy from prominent sites. We recommend the following sites and any associated links.
- Australian Music Therapy Association
- American Music Therapy Association
- A World Forum for Music Therapy
We also recommend the following text book:
Davis, W., Gfeller, K., & Thaut, M. (1999). An Introduction to Music Therapy Theory and Practice. 2nd edition. McGraw-Hill
Application Forms
Download an Application Form (PDF, 60Kb) and Referee Report Form (PDF, 50Kb).
The Blended Learning Model – Key Dates and Information
Blended Learning students are responsible for their own travel and accommodation costs during intensive teaching periods in Melbourne. Information on fees can be found in the On-line Handbook.
Part-time Blended Learning may be approved by course co-ordinator, on application.
Intensive Weekend Learning
Students enrolled in the blended learning mode will travel to Melbourne twice each semester (see dates for 2010 below). Music Therapy Methods subjects will be taught in intensive mode. Clinical Placement Tutorials will also be incorporated into the intensive teaching weekends.
Teaching will take place on Fridays 9.00AM - 5.00PM for clinical training tutorials (appropriate breaks for morning and afternoon teas, and lunch). Methods classes will be introduced on Friday nights, 7.00PM – 9.00PM and then further classes will take place all day Saturday and Sunday.
Students are strongly recommend to travel to Melbourne on Thursday and extend your stay to Monday to take advantage of the library in the first year, and for thesis supervision in the second year.
The dates for Intensive Teaching in 2010 are:
- Feb Friday 26 - Sunday 28 – Therapy Skills 1 & CTMT 1
- May Friday 28 – Sunday 30 – Therapy Skills 1 & CTMT 1
- August Friday 6 – Sunday 8 – Therapy Skills 2 & CTMT 2
- October Friday 29 – Sunday November 1 – Therapy Skills 2 & CTMT 2
Online Learning
The Applications (A, B, & C) theoretical subjects will be offered via on-line delivery. Online teaching will incorporate a range of strategies including interviews with lecturers, presentations of case studies via Blogs, Online Discussion Forums of required readings and slide presentations of relevant information.
For Research in Music Therapy, students will listen to the lecture with powerpoint slides for 1 hour, then work online with small groups.
For Music Psychology Research, lectures in Melbourne will be podcast, and students enrolled through the on-line course will have access to those lectures.
For Minor Thesis students will listen to discussions about students’ projects, and have e-mail correspondence with their supervisor about their study.
Clinical Training
Clinical Training will be carried out in the student’s home state if there is adequate supervision from a qualified music therapist available. Students undertake up to 2 days per week of supervised clinical training, with at least one-hour face-to-face supervision each week. If local supervision is not available, it may be possible to organise a full-time block placement in Victoria. Please note that if clinical placements can be organised in the applicant’s home state it is likely that this will involve some travel.
Information about the existing MMusThrp course, subject content, and links to fees, is available in the Course and Subject Handbook.