Music Therapy
A music therapy education from Valpo empowers you to change lives, inspiring growth and healing through the beauty of musical expression.
As a music therapy student at Valpo, you’ll develop the skills to make a lasting impact on individuals and communities, from hospitals and nursing homes to schools and psychiatric facilities.
We believe that the best learning happens through exploration and discovery. That’s why our curriculum integrates interdisciplinary and experiential learning, launching you beyond the classroom and into real-world clinical experiences. Our graduates not only use their musical talents in service to others but also contribute to the field by creating and implementing innovative research.
Grounded in the strength of Valpo’s distinguished music program, and with Valparaiso University’s dual-accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Music and the American Music Therapy Association, our music therapy curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in music and a minimum of 1,200 hours of clinical training. This hands-on experience includes world-class field placements in the greater Chicago area, preparing you for success in diverse therapeutic settings.
A degree in this allied health profession empowers you to transform lives and equips you to lead with purpose and integrity on a global scale. Upon completion of the program, you will earn a bachelor of music therapy (BMT), qualifying you to sit for the national board certification exam (MT-BC).
For those with a bachelor’s degree in music, Valpo offers an equivalency certificate to pursue this rewarding career.
13%
projected job growth over the next five years*
*According to the College Board BigFuture Career Directory.
97.5% of Valpo College of Arts and Sciences graduates employed or enrolled in graduate school within nine months of graduation
CAREER PATHS
Valpo graduates are brilliant leaders at top companies and institutions around the world. Of these bright, musical Beacons, many have gone on to work in clinical settings throughout Northwest Indiana and the greater Chicagoland region, including:
• Behavioral Specialists of Indiana
• Prospect Music Therapy
Visit valpo.edu/alumni-success to learn more.
WHO IS A MUSIC THERAPIST?
A music therapist is a credentialed healthcare professional who uses holistic and evidence-based music experiences to support individuals to meet their personal goals. This creative arts therapy uses the power of music to access and expand skills for independence, expression, quality of life, and more. Music therapists work in a variety of clinical settings spanning the life cycle from fragile newborns to our aging population. Working in sectors ranging from mental health clinics to community centers and medical settings, music therapists draw from holistic and evidence-based approaches to address the physical, psychological, spiritual, cognitive, and sociocultural needs of individuals.
WHY MUSIC THERAPY?
A strong demand in the job market means you’ll have abundant opportunities in this meaningful career. Music therapists inspire wherever they go, working in places like:
• Community mental health centers
• Correctional facilities
• Drug and alcohol programs
• Halfway houses
• Outpatient clinics
• Private practices
• Psychiatric hospitals
• Rehabilitative facilities
• Schools
Be a Beacon
Valparaiso University admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religion. (For a full statement, see valpo.edu .)
“Valpo’s music therapy program was a major game-changer for me. With Valpo being the closest university to Chicago offering a bachelor of music therapy, I was offered many incredible opportunities in the Chicagoland area that would not have been feasible otherwise. I am just so proud that so many individuals in the community have benefited from the work of Valpo’s music therapy graduates.”
VIRGINIA LEAHY ’24
MAJOR: MUSIC THERAPY
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
The Signature Artist — ranging from $10,000 up to full tuition, Forte, and Vivace Scholarships support Valpo’s commitment to train some of the finest collegiate musicians in the United States. For more information on scholarships and awards, visit valpo.edu/financialaid.
Take the next step toward your bright future by visiting valpo.edu/music-therapy, or by scanning the QR code.
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN 46383
web: valpo.edu
email: undergrad.admission@valpo.edu
web: valpo.edu/music-therapy
email: music@valpo.edu
