Music Therapy Equivalency Certificate Program
The Music Therapy Equivalency Certificate program is designed for individuals with an undergraduate degree in music to develop the professional competencies required for entry-level music therapy practice. The purpose of this program is to provide students with the musical, clinical, and professional skills needed to be music therapists who can help promote the health, wellness, and well-being of individuals and communities. Graduates of the certificate program are eligible to sit for the national examination in music therapy administered by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT). Upon passing this examination, they earn the credential Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC).
The Music Therapy Equivalency Certificate program is designed to be completed in two years. It requires completion of 33 credits of courses, 9 of which are for a six-month clinical training internship.
Program Accreditation
The FGCU Music Therapy Academic Certificate program is pending approval by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA).
Admissions Requirements, Process, and Deadlines
Students are admitted to the certificate program for the fall term. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Music Therapy Program Coordinator, Dr. Kimberly Sena Moore (ksenamoore@fgcu.edu) by November 1 for information.
Eligible applicants must hold a baccalaureate level degree in music from an accredited college or university as documented by official transcripts. University/college transcripts must demonstrate proof of successful completion of at least four (4) semesters of music theory, two (2) semesters of music history, six (6) semesters of college-level applied lessons, and six (6) semesters of college-level musical ensemble. Finally, applicants must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale in the earned undergraduate degree.
Application Process
- December 1: Submit the following applications to complete prerequisite coursework:
- Graduate Application as a Post-baccalaureate Non-degree Student to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
- Bower School of Music supplemental application via Acceptd. Click here for information about what to submit.
- Applicants will be contacted by the Music Therapy Program Coordinator to schedule a music audition and interview.
- Prior to the July 15 deadline for applying to the certificate program the following
prerequisite courses (or their equivalent) must be completed with a grade of C or
above or must be in process:
- MUY 1000 Introduction to Music Therapy
- MUY 2103 Music Foundations
- MUY 2203 Orientation to Practice
- MVK 2121 Class Piano III or MVK 2122 Class Piano IV
- MVS 1116 Class Guitar
- MVV 1110 Class Voice I
- July 15: Submit a Graduate Application as a Certificate Student through Graduate Admissions
Note: All students who meet minimum admission requirements may not be admitted due to space and other constraints.
Additional Graduation Requirements
- Students must earn a grade of C or above in all required courses.
Program Requirements
Required Courses (24 credits)
A minimum grade of C is required for each course
Complete the following:
MUY 3101 Music Therapy Competencies I (3)
MUY 3503 Clinical Foundations (3)
MUY 3942 Music Therapy Practicum I (2)
MUY 3943 Music Therapy Practicum II (2)
MUY 4102 Music Therapy Competencies II (3)
MUY 4940 Music Therapy Internship (9)
MUY 4941 Music Therapy Practicum III (2)
Restricted Electives (9 credits)
Complete 9 credits from the following:
EDF 4112 Child Growth and Development (3)
EDF 4650 Youth & Community Resilience (3)
EEC 4404 Family & Comm Partnerships (3)
EEX 4050 Theories & Prac in Spec Ed (3)
EEX 4604 BehavMgmnt for SpecNeed/AtRisk Stud (3)
GEY 3601 Aging and Human Performance (3)
HSC 3201 Healthy Communities (3)
HSC 3202 Introduction to Public Health (3)
HSC 3208 Health Education Foundations (3)
HSC 3537 Medical Terminology (3)
HSC 3624 Global Health Systems & Issues (3)
HSC 3661C Dynamics of Communication (3)
HSC 4150 Impacts of Substance Abuse (3)
HSC 4241 Needs Assmt & Program Plan (3)
HSC 4555 Disease, Impairment & Function (3)
IDS 3325 The Contemplative Life (3)
PHI 3456 Phil of Health and Illness (3)
PSB 3444 Drugs and Behavior (3)
SOW 4643 Issues in Aging (3)
SPC 3210 Theories of Human Communication (3)
SPC 3301 Interpersonal Communication (3)
SPC 3331 Nonverbal Communications (3)
SPC 3370 Intrapersonal Communication (3)
SPC 3721 Interracial/Intercultural Comm (3)
SYO 3400 Medical Sociology (3)
Catalog year 2024-2025 (https://www.fgcu.edu/catalog/academicprograms?id=180)
At the end of the program students will have completed the necessary course requirements to be eligible for the national board certification examination managed by the Certification Board for Music Therapists. For more information see https://www.cbmt.org/candidates/.
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED: 33
