Music Therapy
Head of Music Therapy: Assoc Prof Denise Grocke
Lecturer: Dr Katrina McFerran
Tutor and Coordinator of Clinical Training: Jacinta Calabro
Blended Learning
Applications in the Master of Music Therapy (by Course Work) (Blended Learning) are now open.
Overview
The music therapy specialisation within the BMus degree was established in 1978, and was the first music therapy course offered in Australia. A Graduate Diploma in Music Therapy (est 1990) was converted to a course-work Master’s degree in 2006, and leads to eligibility for Registration with the Australian Music Therapy Association. Graduate research degrees in music therapy are also available, at Masters and PhD level.
The Faculty introduced training in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (BMGIM) in 1995, with a 1-year Certificate and 2-year part time Graduate Diploma in BMGIM that leads to Fellowship with the Association for Music and Imagery in the USA and Registration with the Music and Imagery Association of Australia. These courses are recognised by PACFA (the Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia).
Research opportunities
The Faculty of Music has established the National Music Therapy Research Unit (NAMTRU) in order to stimulate interest in research and post-graduate studies, thereby increasing our knowledge of music therapy, and advancing the profession in Australia.
Current Music Therapy Research Projects
International links
The Faculty of Music has established an international collaborative Consortium of nine Universities that offer PhD programs in music therapy and are research active. The purpose of the Consortium is to promote and benchmark PhD-level research, to design and implement multi-site international research studies in music therapy, and to maintain a network that generates research expertise in music therapy. In 2009, representatives of the nine Universities will meet twice – in Aalborg Denmark in April, and in Melbourne in November 2009. The nine Universities are:
- University of Melbourne
- University of Queensland
- Temple University, Philadelphia, USA
- Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
- University of Bergen, Grieg Academy of Music
- Norwegian Academy of Music, Oslo
- University of Jyvaskyla, Finland
- Aalborg University, Denmark
- Lemmensinstituut, Katholic University, Leuven, Belgium
Distinguished past staff and students
Distinguished alumni have contributed to the developments of music therapy nationally and internationally. Dr Ruth Bright (nee Ockenden, 1953) has authored 13 books on music therapy. Graduates of the music therapy course include Dr Clare O’Callaghan (Honorary Assoc Prof in the Faculty of Medicine, Peter McCallum Hospital), Prof Jane Edwards (Head of Music Therapy, Limerick University, Ireland), Dr Sue Hadley (Head of Music Therapy, Slippery Rock University Philadelphia, USA), Dr Tony Meadows (Head of Music Therapy, Immaculata University, Philadelphia, USA), Dr Felicity Baker (Head of Music Therapy, University of Queensland), and Dr Alan Lem (Head of Music Therapy, University of Western Sydney).
Visiting scholars
International experts attend the twice-yearly NaMTRU research intensives. In recent years the experts have been Professor Tony Wigram (Aalborg University, Denmark); Professor Cheryl Dileo (Temple University Philadelphia, USA); Professor Barbara Wheeler (University of Louisville, USA); Dr Robert Krout (Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas).
Courses
More information about courses, entry requirements and application procedures can be found in the University handbook:
- Master of Music Therapy (by Course Work) (Blended Learning: partially on-line, partially intensive learning)
- Master of Music Therapy (by Course Work) (MMusThrp)
- Master of Music (by research) (MMus)
- Graduate Diploma in Guided Imagery and Music (GradDipGIM)
- Certificate in Guided Imagery and Music - Introductory Level