Course details

Summary

Use your passion for music to help improve people's lives. Join the only programme in New Zealand that trains graduates to become professional music therapists.

A career in music therapy

Learn how to use music to support the development and wellbeing of people with complex emotional, intellectual, physical or social needs.

You'll get a comprehensive grounding in music therapy. Study the theory and put it into practice in a clinical or social community setting. Then take what you've learned from your practical experience and apply that to your research project.

Studying at the New Zealand School of Music (NZSM), you'll learn from dedicated staff with many years' experience as music therapists.

If you have a mature and compassionate attitude, curiosity and a knack for critical thinking, and a passion for practical, creative music-making then this programme is for you.

Professional registration

The programme was developed in association with Music Therapy New Zealand(MThNZ). You'll be encouraged to join this organisation during your training so you can start building links with other professionals and the supporting community.

Once you've completed your degree you'll be able to apply for accreditation as a Registered Music Therapist through the Music Therapy Registration Board of MThNZ.

Community placement

You'll learn from valuable community placements in settings such as special schools, inclusive mainstream schools, pediatric units of hospitals and adolescent mental health services. You might also be hosted in elder care facilities, hospices and community units for adults with neurological disorders and mental health challenges.

These valuable placements are also a chance to build the professional networks that will help advance your career.

Returning to study

Many MMusTher students are mid-career professionals from other fields or parents who are returning to study. If it's been a while since you've studied, our liaison officers can help you get back into university life.

Careers

You might join past graduates and work as a registered music therapist in special schools and autistic units, early intervention centres, hospices, rest homes and community mental health services.

Music therapy is still a new profession in New Zealand, but it is growing. Although not many full-time positions are available, you should be able to work full-time by creating a portfolio of contracts with different services and centres.

What you'll study

In Trimester One you'll do courses covering the principles and methods used in music therapy. In Trimester Two you'll do courses on the exploration of music from cultures other than your own, and learn how this applies to your practice, along with courses on approaches to music therapy research and a workplace practicum.

For Part 2, you'll do a range of music therapy casework, followed by a supervised practice-based research project linking to what you observe and experience on your placement. For the Master of Music Therapy by research, your study may be practice-based or more theoretical, depending on your interests and research questions. Both options are full-year courses.

Community placement

You'll do placements both through your Part 1 practicum and your Part 2 casework. Your placement will be clinically supervised by lecturing staff in Part 1 and by external registered music therapists in Part 2. You'll also be supported by on-site liaison staff who may be music therapists, specialist teachers or other healthcare professionals.

Entry criteria

Appropriate Bachelor's degree or adequate training and experience.

Other English Language requirements:

• IELTS overall band of 6.5, no sub-score below 6.0; or
• TOEFL 90 on the internet-based test with at least 20 in writing; or
• A minimum of two ratings of 5 and two ratings of 4 in the Victoria University English Proficiency Programme test
• Pearson Test of English: A score of 65 (with a ‘Communicative’ score of not less than 58).