Music Therapy Equivalency

The Music Therapy Equivalency program at Loyola University New Orleans is ideal for students wishing to bridge the gap between a bachelors of music degree and professional music therapy pursuits, as well as the eventual Master's in Music Therapy.

To be eligible to apply for the Music Therapy Equivalency program, students must have a bachelor's degree in music. Specifically, students must have completed a minimum of 3 semesters each of music theory and music history. Additionally, students must have completed 4 semesters each of private instruction on their major instrument/voice and a major ensemble. If students do not have these bachelor's music core courses completed, they will need to complete them before applying to the Master's equivalency program.

Once a student has completed the above music core, they are ready to complete the music therapy core courses through the equivalency program. Students will take the undergraduate music therapy face-to-face core courses. This consists of 4 academic courses and 2 field study courses for the fall and spring semesters. Music therapy field studies allows students to work with those individuals and demographics in need, under the direction of a Board-Certified Music Therapist.

Once the undergraduate music therapy core academic courses are completed, students complete a 1200 hour music therapy internship. This internship can be completed at any site in the U.S. that is on the American Music Therapy National Roster Internships or at a University Affiliated Internship. After this time, students are eligible to take the Board Certification exam and can gain employment as a music therapist.