Music Therapy (Graduate Diploma)
Department of Creative Arts Therapies Faculty of Fine Arts
Why pursue a Graduate Diploma in Music Therapy?
Music therapy facilitates the process of personal growth and change through the provision of expressive and receptive musical experiences. The music therapist guides clients towards developmental, rehabilitative, psychotherapeutic, and wellness goals by fostering personal expression, and creating musical experiences.
The 28-credit Graduate Diploma is unique in Canada and the United States. It prepares students with strong backgrounds in music and the behavioral sciences to move forward into new careers in music therapy and leads to accreditation through the Canadian Association for Music Therapy (CAMT). The program is further unique in Canada in its situation within a Creative Arts Therapies department. Students have the opportunity for cross-pollination of ideas and experiences with those from the various creative arts therapies.
Diplôme de 2e cycle en musicothérapie
La musicothérapie facilite l’épanouissement personnel et le changement en recourant à des expériences musicales expressives et réceptives. Dans une perspective de développement, de réadaptation, de psychothérapie et de bien-être, les musicothérapeutes interviennent auprès de leurs clients en favorisant l’expression et l’expérimentation de la musique.
Le programme de diplôme de 28 crédits est unique en son genre au Canada et aux États-Unis. Il prépare les étudiants qui ont de solides connaissances en musique et en sciences comportementales à entamer une nouvelle carrière en musicothérapie, et leur donne accès à l’accréditation de l’Association de musicothérapie du Canada (AMC). Au Canada, ce programme est d’autant plus original qu’il relève du Département de thérapies par les arts. Les étudiants ont ainsi toute latitude pour échanger leurs idées et leurs expériences avec ceux des autres disciplines des thérapies par les arts.
Program details
Entry into the program requires a bachelor’s/baccalaureate degree with courses in Music (24 credits, which must include 6 credits in Musicology and 12 credits in Music Theory, or equivalents); Psychology (24 credits, which must include courses in Introductory, Developmental, and Abnormal Psychology, Theories of Personality, and Research Methodology, or equivalents); and Introduction to Music Therapy (3 credits), or equivalent. Applicants must show evidence of: primary instrument/voice performance abilities at the level of completion of a bachelor’s degree in Music; piano performance abilities at Grade 6 Royal Conservatory of Music level, and fundamental guitar and voice skills. (Those invited for interview provide a video recording of performances of two selections on each instrument). Since enrolment is limited, applicants are selected on the basis of a past academic record of no less than a B- average (3.00 on a 4.30 scale), or equivalent, a 500-word letter of intent, a curriculum vitae; and three letters of recommendation. Previous experience in a clinical, rehabilitative or educational setting is expected. Direct experience with the therapeutic process is highly desirable.
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.
Proficiency in French. While there are no formal French proficiency requirements, students intending to work in Québec are strongly encouraged to develop a working knowledge of French.
- Credits. A fully qualified candidate is required to complete 28 credits.
- Courses. Candidates in the Graduate Diploma in Music Therapy program must take 28 credits of core courses (with a 3-credit value, unless otherwise specified): MTHY 501, MTHY 502 (2 credits), MTHY 503 (1 credit), MTHY 504 (1 credit), MTHY 510, MTHY 511, MTHY 512 (9 credits), MTHY 521 and CATS 611. As part of course requirements in MTHY 510, MTHY 511, and MTHY 512, each student must successfully complete a minimum of 1,200 hours in the practice of music therapy, under faculty supervision, in approved practicum settings. Practicum experiences include individual and group formats with children, adolescents and adults and with a minimum of three different client groups.
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
- Counselling Skills for Creative Arts Therapies
- Music Therapy Skills
- Clinical Improvisation in Music Therapy
- Music Therapy Practicum
- Psychology of 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 Graduate Diploma in Music Therapy, each student is placed in one major placement per term, with a total of three different client populations over the course of the 12-month program. A student may be placed in one major and one minor placement concurrently where appropriate.
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:
