Pacific’s Master of Arts in Music Therapy is a graduate-level program designed for students with an undergraduate degree in music or fields related to music therapy (e.g., psychology, special education, etc.) who seek both entry- and advanced-level training in music therapy. Choose between a 2-year or 3-year path. These popular and flexible learning options start with strong basic musicianship and add specific knowledge and skills to meet the requirements of the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) and the American Music Therapy Association.
- Designed for students with an undergraduate degree music therapy
- Advanced-level clinical skills or research practice
- Limited graduate assistantships available
- During the first two years, students focus on the completion of all entry level music therapy courses, fieldwork, and competencies, as well as some graduate-level courses.
- Next, students complete a clinical internship and sit for the CBMT exam.
- After the internship, students return to the university to complete graduate coursework, advanced clinical work, and a culminating graduate project (e.g., thesis or clinical clerkship portfolio).
Qualifying students entering the Master of Arts in Music Therapy program for the 2020-21 academic year, may apply for Graduate Assistantships (GA).
GA include full tuition waiver, an annual stipend of $5,760 for 10 hrs/week of service, and health insurance. Partial assistantships may also be awarded. Assistantships are available for a second year, with the possibility of an increase in award depending on the candidate’s success with the assistantship and with graduate coursework.
Graduate assistants serve as clinical fieldwork (practicum) supervisors for pre-internship music therapy students under the supervision and with the support of the music therapy faculty. The GA award supports MT-BCs in their development of advanced clinical specializations, supervision and program development skills, college teaching, or research.
Applications are open to Board-Certified Music Therapists; clinical work experience and strong musicianship is required. In addition to submitting the graduate school application, applicants should send a resume and cover letter to Program Director Fei-Lin Hsiao. Candidates may be interviewed in person or by video chat.
Two or Three-Year Path
Notable Program Features
- Stockton or San Francisco Campus
- Two-years (32 units) for students with undergraduate degree in music therapy
- Three-years plus internship (55 units) for students with undergraduate degree in music or music-therapy related field
- Fall or spring semester start
- Rolling admission
- In-person program
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in music or music therapy related field
- General GRE (Not required for applicants with a GPA of 3.5 or higher)
- Resume
- Personal statement
- Official transcripts
- Three letters of recommendation
- Musical Skills Assessment (live or video recording):
- Perform two contrasting pieces on primary instrument/voice.
- Sing one piece from a traditional or contemporary musical repertoire with self-accompaniment on piano.
- Sing one piece from a traditional or contemporary musical repertoire with self-accompaniment on guitar. (You may use sheet music or a lead sheet.) Examples: You Are My Sunshine, This Land is Your Land, This Little Light of Mine
- Sing one American folk song from memory a capella. Examples: Oh Susannah, Home on the Range, Aura Lee
- For international students, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required.
Tuition
Tuition and fees are set annually: the per-unit graduate tuition rate for the 2020-21 academic year is $1,528 plus applicable fees.
Graduate Assistantships
The Conservatory of Music offers a limited number of graduate assistantships for students applying to the two-year program. Interested applicants should contact Program Director Fei-Lin Hsiao at fhsiao@pacific.edu.
Federal Students Loans
Graduate students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens may apply for federal student loans.
Outcomes
Our graduates enter the field equipped to use music-based interventions in a focused and concentrated manner to address health-related, psychological, educational, and other rehabilitative needs. Advanced study in various research, theoretical, philosophical, and multicultural orientations further prepares graduates for work in research, higher education, and complex clinical settings.
Ready to take the next step?
Contact Us
Conservatory of Music
209.946.2418
Faye Spanos Concert Hall, 3rd Floor
3601 Pacific Ave.
Stockton, CA 95211
