Music Therapy, Creative Arts Therapies (MA)
Master of Arts (MA)
Offered by:Department of Creative Arts Therapies, Faculty of Fine Arts
Program overview
The MA in Creative Arts Therapies (Music Therapy), is the only advanced professional training program in the field in Québec. The program is approved by the Canadian Association of Music Therapists (CAMT) and is designed according to the philosophies and standards of education in music therapy. Music therapy facilitates personal growth processes through participation in expressive and receptive music experiences. The music therapist supports clients towards established and emergent health and wellness goals. Students will gain expertise in a particular area of music therapy through the completion of either a master's thesis (Research with Thesis Option) or a year-end capstone project (Advanced Music Therapy Practice Option). The thesis option supports students interested in developing their research skills, while the practice option provides students with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge in a particular area of professional music therapy practice.
Program details
- Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy with a 1,000-hour internship (or equivalent); OR a Graduate Certificate or Diploma in Music Therapy (or equivalent).
- No less than a B average (3.00 on a 4.30 scale), or equivalent.
Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the Graduate Admission page for further information on the Language Proficiency requirements and exemptions.
Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 45 credits.
24 credits – Core Courses
MTHY 600 - Music Therapy Advanced Literature (3 credits)
MTHY 601 - Music Therapy Supervision, Teaching, and Learning (3 credits)
MTHY 602 - Advanced Clinical Improvisation in Music Therapy I (1.5 credits)
MTHY 603 - Advanced Clinical Improvisation in Music Therapy II (1.5 credits)
MTHY 693 - Research in Music Therapy: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods (3 credits)
CATS 610 - Introduction to Topics in Clinical Psychology for Creative Arts Therapists (3 credits)
CATS 611 - Counselling Skills for Creative Arts Therapists (3 credits)
CATS 639 - Interdisciplinary Topics: Cross-cultural Competence in the Creative Arts Therapies (1 credit)
CATS 641 - Interdisciplinary Topics: Ethics in Clinical Practice in the Creative Arts Therapies (1 credit)
CATS 643 - Interdisciplinary Topics: Ethics in Research in the Creative Arts Therapies (1 credit)
CATS 691 - Research in the Creative Arts Therapies (3 credits)
21 credits – Students choose to enter one of the following two options:
Research with thesis option (21 credits)
MTHY 623 - Advanced Music Therapy Practicum I (3 credits)
MTHY 699 - Thesis (15 credits)
and
MTHY 624 - Advanced Music Therapy Practicum II (3 credits)
or
MTHY 625 - Guided Imagery and Music, Level I (3 credits)
Advanced music therapy practice option (21 credits)
MTHY 633 - Advanced Music Therapy Practice I (6 credits)
MTHY 634 - Advanced Music Therapy Practice II (6 credits)
Plus nine additional elective credits, to be chosen in consultation with an academic faculty advisor. With the approval of the Chair of Creative Arts Therapies and of the cooperating department, some or all of the elective credits may be chosen from the Department of Creative Arts Therapies, other departments in the University, or other universities.
Please review the department application requirements before applying online. Read the how-to-guide for general application procedures.
| DEGREE |
FALL (September) |
WINTER (January) |
SUMMER (May/June) |
| Music Therapy | MA / Diploma | Jan. 15 | n/a | n/a |
Our department hosts a semi-annual workshop for prospective Music Therapy students. Meet Music Therapy faculty and explore the field of music therapy. Learn more about the many educational and career opportunities in music therapy.
Sample classes
- Music Therapy Advanced Literature
- Music Therapy Supervision, Teaching, and Learning
- Advanced Clinical Improvisation in Music Therapy
- Advanced Music Therapy Practicum
- Guided Imagery and Music
See the graduate calendar for course curriculum and descriptions.
Please also take note of the sample course sequence.
The practicum component of our creative arts therapies training programs provide students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills that they are acquiring in their coursework. It is the vehicle for integrating theory with clinical experience – a critical element in the development of the professional competence of an art therapist, drama therapist or music therapist. Practicum includes both clinical experience and supervision.
Clinical experience is acquired in a variety of agencies in the greater Montreal area, providing the student with practical application of art therapy, drama therapy or music therapy. Supervision is provided at both the agency and at the University.
In the Music Therapy MA, students have the opportunity for advanced specialization in the clinical area of their choice in either one or two terms.
Creative Arts Therapies classes are held in the Visual Arts Building on the downtown campus.
Music Therapy classes are held in acoustically-designed studios equipped with superb sound and technological capabilities. Both of our music therapy studios house new acoustic pianos, one of them being a baby grand. A collection of diverse musical instruments (e.g., world drums, Orff, and other improvisational instruments) is available for classroom instruction as well as for student use in individual practice and at their practicum agencies.
Lecture-based classes can be held in the seminar room, recently updated with new tables and chairs. All Creative Arts Therapies students can use the seminar for quiet study outside of class time and during business hours. Music Therapy students can use the studios for individual and group rehearsals.
Career opportunities for music therapists exist in a wide variety of healthcare and educational settings. These include psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitative facilities, medical hospitals, outpatient clinics, day care treatment centers, agencies serving persons with developmental disabilities, community mental health and wellness centers, drug and alcohol programs, senior centers, nursing homes, hospice programs, correctional facilities, halfway houses, schools, and private practice. Read about our alumni career stories.
For more information about career and employment opportunities:
Important information about admissions
Please be advised that Concordia University does not process admissions or fee payments through third parties for our degree programs.
All applicants are advised to ensure that they are communicating directly with the university for admissions and fee payments.
