MM in Music Therapy

The application to the music therapy equivalency and MM includes the following components:

• Applicants must meet the Graduate School admission requirements. In rare cases, an appeal is possible.
• Complete the online application through the UK Graduate School website. (Select MM-Music Therapy as the degree for which you are applying.)
• Official undergraduate transcripts
• 2-page resume, which should include:
  1. Name, address, e-mail, and phone number
  2. Education (institutions, degrees, dates, majors, current GPA, and any honors)
  3. Work Experiences (locations, dates, teaching, and other professional experiences)
  4. Presentations, publications, and awards
  5. Any other sections you deem relevant
• Personal statement: Please submit a 1-page statement (at least 150 words, 3-5 paragraphs) expressing your motivation for seeking this degree from the University of Kentucky and how this degree fits into your goals for the future.
• Writing sample of your scholarly writing abilities. It can be a paper you wrote for an undergraduate course and does not need to relate directly to music therapy.
• Three letters of recommendation: When you submit your online application via the graduate school website, you will be asked for the e-mail addresses of the people who have agreed to write letters of recommendation. The graduate school will e-mail them directly to request their letters. Please let your letter writers know, as sometimes this email goes to “junk.” Without exception, we cannot decide on your application, or any scholarships or fellowships, until we receive all 3 letters.
• International students only: TOEFL or Duolingo scores (refer to UK Graduate School website).
• Audition and interview with the music therapy faculty. Please complete an audition request form. We will ask you to
  1. Sing while accompanying yourself on guitar.
  2. Sing while accompanying yourself on keyboard.
  3. Sing a simple song a cappella.
  4. Respond to questions about music therapy, your interest in our program and preparation for graduate school, and the American Music Therapy Association’s Code of Ethics. Please refer to specific information about the music therapy-specific audition and interview on the School of Music Admissions page.
• Music therapy area entrance exams covering music theory, aural skills, and music therapy: Please review specific information about the music therapy-specific exams carefully on the School of Music Admissions page.

Please complete an audition request form. We will confirm the exact date and time for your audition, interview, and entrance exams approximately 2 weeks prior to the scheduled date. Email Dr. Yinger and/or Dr. Reschke-Hernandez with questions.

For clinical training opportunities, UK Music Therapy students must complete onboarding through the University of Kentucky HealthCare office of Observation and Learning Experience (OLE). Please review the requirements of the OLE on UK HealthCare's site listed under “Students” tab. Be aware that the OLE process takes up to a month and includes fees. UK Music Therapy students must also complete the Fayette County Public Schools volunteer form, which is free, includes a background check, and can take up to a month. When completing the form, select all schools and when prompted type “I will be completing a music therapy practicum in FCPS but I do not know which schools yet” in the text box.

The University of Kentucky works to provide courses and programs to students across the state of Kentucky, the country and abroad. Online courses, field placements, student teaching, research and other similar educational activities may be offered as part of a distance learning or face-to-face program, and may be completed outside of Kentucky. Learn more about Out-of-State Educational Activity.

The information here is presented for your convenience. Please consult with music therapy faculty for the most up-to-date information.

Admission Pathways

Plan A and Plan B are available to students who hold:

• an undergraduate degree in music therapy (or the equivalent), and
• the MT-BC credential

Students without a degree in music therapy may apply to the combined equivalency/master’s program, which allows completion of entry-level competencies and board-certification requirements before beginning graduate-level coursework. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress with no more than one grade of C or lower.

Plan A: Research Focus

(30 credit hours)

Recommended for those considering future doctoral study (PhD). Students complete a comprehensive project—either a traditional research-based thesis or a clinical project in the form of a thesis—followed by a final oral examination (i.e., defense).

Required Courses:

• MUS 600 – Research I (3)
• MUS 633 – Graduate Clinical Placement in Music Therapy (3)
• MUS 768 – Residence Credit for the Master’s Degree (6) (i.e., thesis)

Guided Electives in Music Therapy:

Choose 9 credits – typical options include:

• MUS 630 – Medical Music Therapy (3) (includes eligibility for NICU-MT)
• MUS 664 – Inclusive Music Principles and Practices (3)
• MUS 732 –Seminar Topics in Music Therapy (3)
• MUS 770 – Psychology of Music (3) (advanced)

Free Electives:

Choose 9 credits in consultation with faculty advisor (e.g., psychology, counseling, human development, diversity/inclusion, etc.).

Plan B: Clinical Focus

(30 credit hours)

In place of a comprehensive project/thesis, students complete:

• an approved professional or public presentation during the program, and
• a final comprehensive written exam in the final semester.

Required Courses:

• MUS 600 – Research I (3)
• MUS 633 – Graduate Clinical Placement in Music Therapy (3)

Guided Electives in Music Therapy: Same as Plan A

Guided Electives in Music: Choose 6 credits of graduate-level music courses in consultation with faculty advisor (e.g., in music history, music technology, music education, Orff Schulwerk, RocKats (contemporary pop music ensemble), additional music therapy coursework, etc.).

Free Electives: Same as Plan A

Thinking about music therapy?

Prospective students are strongly encouraged to meet with UK Music Therapy faculty. If you are a current undergraduate student, they can help you select courses that will count toward equivalency requirements and guide your preparation to make the most of your educational experience at UK.

Music Therapists are Board Certified (MT-BC):
Board certification is required to practice as a music therapist. To become board-certified, students must complete coursework and demonstrate competency in three areas: music foundations, clinical foundations, and music therapy. These may be fulfilled during undergraduate studies or through a post-baccalaureate equivalency program.

Who can apply:
Students with an undergraduate background in music (major or, in some cases, minor) may apply to UK’s combined equivalency/master’s program. The equivalency portion typically spans Fall–Spring–Summer–Fall, followed by a 6-month full-time internship. Students are billed at the graduate tuition rate. Students may choose to complete only the post-baccalaureate equivalency portion.

Coursework Requirements

Music Foundations (Minimum 54 credits):
Covers music theory, history, arranging, clinical applications, primary performance medium, improvisation/movement, conducting, and percussion.

• Proficiency is required in voice, piano, and guitar.
• If not met at entry, additional coursework is required (not counted toward the 54 credits).
• Relevant undergraduate coursework may transfer in; some coursework is typically completed at UK.

Clinical Foundations (Minimum 18 credits):
Covers human development, disability and neurodivergence, principles of therapy and the therapeutic relationship, and anatomy and physiology.

• Relevant undergraduate coursework may transfer in; some coursework is typically completed at UK.
• Most students complete Anatomy for Music Therapists at UK.

Music Therapy Core (18 credits + clinical training)
Includes three pre-internship practicum experiences (starting in the first semester) and a full-time internship.

• Psychology of Music may be taken elsewhere; all other core music therapy courses must be completed at UK
• Combined total of 1,200+ clinical training hours
• Internship typically runs January–June or February–July
• Internship placement is not guaranteed in Lexington; most internships are unpaid – plan accordingly for housing and finances

Once all competencies are met, students are eligible to take the board-certification exam. Learn more at the Certification Board for Music Therapists.

Music therapy students at UK have opportunities to conduct pre-internship and advanced clinical work with board-certified music therapists in a variety of settings in the Lexington community and surrounding counties. Our list keeps growing and includes:

• UK HealthCare
• UK Counseling Center
• Public schools
• Early childhood centers
• Behavioral health centers
• Long-term care facilities
• Community-based organizations for children and families
• Build Inclusion
• UK Human Development Institute
• Senior centers
• Area private practices, including:
  • Edge Music Therapy
  • Central Kentucky Creative Therapies
  • Wildwood Music Therapy
  • Wellness Creative