Use the power of music to transform lives. With a certificate in music therapy, you'll be ready to help patients with their therapeutic needs.
Why Get a Music Therapy Certificate?
By earning a music therapy certificate, you will be ready for a career as a music therapist. This program is for people who have received a bachelor's degree in music and want to enter this field. You will learn therapy techniques and combine them with your music knowledge. This will prepare you to help a variety of patients in clinics, schools, hospitals and more. By completing the program, you can take the national Board Certification examination to become a Board Certified Music Therapist.
Why Study Music Therapy at CSUN?
Quality and Affordable Education
Our Music Therapy Certificate program is the only one in California approved by the American Music Therapy Association. Also, our Music Therapy program is one of the top ten most affordable in the country. Finally, CSUN's Department of Music is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). You'll be sure to receive the best education while studying with our faculty and alongside our talented students.
Fieldwork Experience
Our program ensures that you learn in the classroom and in supervised clinical settings. You will work through many hypothetical and real cases to develop your skills to reach the culminating experience of a music therapy internship. In the process, you will work with clinicians in our Music Therapy Wellness Clinic and watch professionals as they work with their clients. In the end, you will be prepared to become a Board Certified Music Therapist.
What You'll Learn
Learn the skills you need to start a career in music therapy. While you will learn in the classroom, we also emphasize experiential learning. You will work through hypothetical cases in your classes and real cases at clinics. You will also complete an internship as your capstone experience. Earning this certificate will qualify you to take the national examination needed to become a Board-Certified Music Therapist.
In your classes, you will learn:
- Approaches and techniques of music therapy in mental health programs and other uses
- Music therapy utilization skills, including song materials and song-leading activities
- Models of improvisation in music therapy
- Psychology of music and abnormal psychology
- Developmental differences and implications for educating students with disabilities
Careers & Outcomes
Upon graduating, you will be qualified to find a career as a music therapist. You'll be able to work in hospitals, schools, mental health centers, nursing homes and more. You can choose to work in special education programs; others work in private practice with children and adults, referred by doctors and health agencies.
Harness the healing power of music.
CSUN's Music Therapy Wellness Clinic provides music activities for children and adults with disabilities. You will work alongside clinicians to help your patients express themselves, gain skills and enhance their self-esteem.
Admission Information
To be considered for admission to a CSUN graduate certificate program, you will need to:
- Meet university requirements.
- Meet department requirements for the Music Therapy Certificate.
- Apply to both the university and the specific certificate program of interest.
To learn more about the certificate contact the program coordinator.