Music Therapy

At Â鶹ֱ²¥, we provide a vibrant and supportive learning community that encourages self-discovery, creative thinking, and individualized growth. Innovative and comprehensive training connects your passion for music with your desire to improve the health and wellbeing of patients in a variety of clinical settings. Scholarships are available.

  • Our board-certified music therapy faculty are nationally recognized educators and researchers committed to mentoring students in their development as both clinicians and professionals.
  • Beginning in the very first year of studies, you will gain clinical experience at prestigious and unique facilities such as Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Community LIFE, The Children's Institute, and UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital.
  • You will have access to diverse opportunities for professional advancement through seminars, workshops, and networking with healthcare professionals.
  • Customize your learning experience by choosing from a related minor, including psychology, global health, public health, and intercultural engagement.
  • The Music Therapy Student Association connects you with the national music therapy community, including professional organizations such as the and the .
  • For over 40 years, our graduates have been active and ambitious professionals, serving patients across the country, assuming a variety of leadership positions, and presenting at regional and national professional conferences.
  • Students are active as musicians, performing in ensembles and taking private lessons from our GRAMMY Award-winning performance faculty, and leading community-engaged service and music-making activities.

View the 2024–2025 Curriculum

A degree in music therapy from the Mary Pappert School of Music will set you apart as a leader in the field and provide opportunities to work in different healthcare and education settings, including mental health programs, medical hospitals, pediatric hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, long-term skilled nursing facilities, hospice, and palliative care programs, special education programs, assisted-living facilities, and more.

Audition Overview

Admission to the Mary Pappert School of Music also includes a formal audition. Learn more about the audition process & guidelines.

Progressive Degree Pathway

This program allows you to combine a traditional 4-year Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy and a traditional 2-year Master of Music Therapy with the added benefit of simultaneously overlapping your undergraduate internship with your graduate coursework. In 6 years, you will have your BSMT, MMT, and music therapy board certification. Undergraduate courses are in-person and graduate courses are offered online with two in-person intensives on campus in the second year. Scholarships are available.

Program Information

A progressive degree pathway to earn both a BSMT and an MMT in 6 years is available.

Program Type

Major

Degree

Bachelor's

School

Mary Pappert School of Music

Academic Department

Music Education and Music Therapy

Duration

4-year

Required Credit Hours

128

The Student Perspective

Headshot of Charlotte Pegg.

I felt such a great amount of support and community that strengthened my confidence as both a clinician and student. I found that the educational materials and conversations in both my undergraduate and graduate courses enhanced my learning process in and outside of my internship.

Charlotte Pegg Current Progressive Degree Pathway Student

BSMT Program Director

Stephenie Sofield

BSMT Program Director; Assistant Professor of Music Therapy

Stephenie Sofield poses for a headshot outdoors.

 

Hone Your Performing Skills

Regardless of degree path, each student benefits from one-on-one instruction with our world-class faculty.

Duquesne's ensembles will provide you with the finest university-level performing experiences available, preparing you for your career as a professional musician. As a member, you will perform on campus, as well as at some of the best venues for music in the city. Our students have performed at Heinz Hall, Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland, Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall, the August Wilson Center, the Andrew Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall, and many more. 

LEARN ABOUT ENSEMBLES

In today's competitive commercial and studio music environment, versatility is of the utmost importance. Our unique jazz curriculum integrates foundational training in the classical tradition with private instruction and coursework in jazz idioms.

Find Out More Â鶹ֱ²¥ Studying Jazz at Duquesne

Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will demonstrate functional music skills related to voice, piano, guitar, percussion, conducting techniques, and movement.
  2. Students will demonstrate basic knowledge related to the clinical foundations of music therapy practice and music therapy practice as set by the American Music Therapy Professional Competencies.
  3. Students will demonstrate professional, ethical, and cultural reflexivity in clinical and educational settings.
  4. Students will use their music skills, their music therapy knowledge base, reflexivity, supervision, and the scholarly literature to engage in clinical music therapy practice