Music Therapy Curriculum Doctoral
Doctoral students are required to take a total of 52 credits to complete the degree. All courses are 3 credits unless otherwise noted.
I. Arts Foundations....................................6 credits
All doctoral students in the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development are required to take two Arts Foundations courses during the first 24 credits of doctoral study. Students in the music therapy program can take substitutions based on recommendations of their advisor.
Please select one course from Group A and one from Group B.
Group A
Educational Sociology
Educational Psychology
Group B
Philosophy of Education
History of Education
Possible Substitutions for Music Therapists:
Aesthetic Foundations of the Arts
Literature and the Arts
Aesthetics: Education of the Perceptions
Arts Heritage and Criticism
Graduate Psychology Elective
II. Research Methods..................................12 credits
The Music Therapy Doctorate focuses on qualitative research.
The required courses are:
Introduction to Qualitative Research
Qualitative Field Research: Design and Analysis I
Qualitative Field Research: Design and Analysis II
Methods of Qualitative Research for Music Therapists
Students may take additional research coursework as Electives.
III. Specialization...................................18 credits
The specialization coursework sequence is designed individually with the doctoral advisor to strengthen the doctoral student's music therapy clinical specialization.
Students may choose from but are not limited to:
Doctoral seminars
Topics over the years have included:
Music Therapy Clinical Improvisation
Clinical Supervision in Music Therapy
Professional Issues
Key Concepts in Music Psychotherapy
Music Therapy Writing Workshop
Music Therapy Literature Seminar
National and International Perspectives, etc.
Psychology of Music
Music Therapy for Handicapped Children and Adolescents: Nordoff- Robbins Music Therapy
Music Therapy for Handicapped Adults - Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music
Independent Study in Music TherapyIndependent Studies are designed with the instructor to meet the specific need of the individual student.
IV. Practicum (Apprenticeship)........................12 credits
Doctoral students may choose to serve as apprentices in the areas of Teaching, Music Therapy Group Leading for masters students, and Clinical Supervision.
V. Dissertation Proposal Seminar ...............3 credits
In the seminar, the student will prepare an original research proposal, which will then be presented to a departmental committee for approval.
VI. Electives........................................10 credits
Electives may be taken in any discipline to strengthen the clinical specialization and prepare the student for their dissertation
Possible areas of study include, but are not limited to: music, music education, graduate psychology, counseling, social work, creative arts therapies (Art, Dance and Drama Therapy), etc.
VII. Additional Requirements
A. Departmental Candidacy Exam
At an early stage of their study the student will take a departmental comprehensive examination in their specialization of Music Therapy. This written and oral exam covers the areas of: Music Theory, Music History and Music Therapy.
B. Dissertation and Final Oral Examination
Students must show the ability for qualitative research in Music Therapy. The research in the doctoral program is generally focused on clinical work in Music Therapy.
Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions - 35 W. 4th Street, Suite 777 - New York, NY 10012 - (212) 998-5424
NYU Steinhardt - Music and Performing Arts Professions - 35 W. 4th Street, Suite 777, New York, NY 10012