Your path: Music Therapy Admission
Admission Requirements
Music Therapy
Marylhurst seeks to admit students into the Music Therapy program who are musically strong and who exhibit the personal maturity needed to work with diverse and vulnerable clients.
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the University's general admission requirements, applicants must:
- complete a performance audition,
- submit an essay and
- submit a completed application.
General Admission Requirements
Preparing for Entrance into the Music Therapy program
The music therapy program is rigorous and demands a multitude of musical and clinical competencies. Although it is designed to be a four-year program, most students find it helpful to begin acquiring certain musical skills before entering the program. Although these are not mandatory for being accepted into the program, many students find them helpful guidelines:
1. Continue performing on your principle instrument, whether it is one of the clinical instruments (piano, guitar, voice) or oboe or violin or drums or something else.
2. Learn how to read music (both treble and bass clefs). Marylhurst offers the online course MU 100 - Fundamentals of Music every summer for students who need to strengthen note-reading skills before enrolling in MU 101 – Musical Language I.
3. Begin playing piano.
4. Begin playing guitar.
5. Begin singing. Sing traditional or folk songs while you accompany yourself on the piano and guitar.
6. Volunteer or observe individuals with physical or mental challenges.
7. Observe/job-shadow a music therapist at work. For more information, call the Oregon Association for Music Therapy at 503.284.6794.
8. Being in good physical and mental health is an asset.
Next Step
To apply, follow the steps outlined on the Admissions and Auditions page.