Preparing for Careers in Music Therapy at Westminster
Westminster College’s School of Music suggests taking the following courses to prepare for post-undergraduate studies in Music Therapy. Please discuss the details of which music degree might be best for you with a music faculty member.
Courses to Take:
- MUS 121 Music Theory 1
- MUS 121P Aural Skills Practicum I
- MUS 122 Music Theory 2
- MUS 122P Aural Skills Practicum 2
- MUS 123 Music Theory 3
- MUS 123P Aural Skills Practicum 3
- MUS 124 Music Theory 4
- MUS 124P Aural Skills Practicum 4
- MUS 125 Form and Analysis
- MUS 141 History of Western Music to 1750
- MUS 142 History of Western Music from 1750
- Applied Lessons in Major Instrument (8 semesters)
- Large Ensemble Credits with VP Designation (4 semesters)
- Large Ensemble Credits at the 500 level (4 semesters)
- Senior Capstone Thesis (Music Therapy Topic recommended)
- Guitar Lessons (may substitute electives if guitar concentrator; 2 semesters)
- Piano Lessons (may substitute electives if piano concentrator; 2 semesters)
- Voice Lessons (may substitute electives if voice concentrator; 2 semesters)
- MUS 271 Basic Conducting
- MUS 367 Jazz Improvisation or MUS 341: Percussion Lessons (choose 1)
- PSY 101 Introduction to General Psychology
- PSY 201 Statistical Methods and Analysis
- PSY 401 Abnormal Psychology
- SED 201 Foundations of Special Education
- BIO 101 Concepts of Biology
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*Additional recommended music courses:
MUS 102 Introduction to Ethnomusic;
MUS 130 Psychology of Music**; more guitar, piano, voice, jazz improvisation, or percussion lessons as schedule allows
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*Additional recommended psychology courses:
PSY 225 Lifespan Development
PSY 291 Adulthood and Aging
PSY 431 Abmormal Child Development
Skills to develop:
- Read lead sheets
- Harmonize with the left hand of the piano while playing melody in the right hand and leading group singing in several different rhythmic styles: e.g., blues, country, pop, sacred
- Harmonize with right and left hands while strongly carrying a melody with the voice
Ordinarily, Westminster students are required to have attained a cumulative GPA of 3.25.
Pass the Piano Proficiency Exam. Piano Proficiency Examination Levels 1-3 must be completed by the end of the sophomore year, and Levels 4-10 must be completed by the end of the junior year.
What can you do with a Music degree?
Imagine yourself a professional composer, music educator, performer in a symphony orchestra or opera company, college professor, symphony manager, or sales manager for a recording company.