Healing Through Music
Music Therapy at Loyola
Music has the power to transform lives. As a music therapist, you'll use music intentionally to help people improve their physical, emotional, cognitive, social, and communication skills while making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals across the lifespan.
At Loyola University New Orleans, you'll develop the musicianship, clinical skills, and compassionate approach needed to become an effective, board-certified music therapist. Through hands-on clinical experiences, personalized mentorship, and a rigorous curriculum, you'll graduate prepared to serve diverse communities in healthcare, education, mental health, and community settings.
Founded in 1956, Loyola's music therapy program is one of the longest-running programs in the United States. Our students learn from experienced faculty, engage in extensive clinical training, and become part of a tradition of excellence that has prepared generations of music therapists to lead and innovate in the profession. Our music therapy program is accredited by the American Music Therapy Association, Inc.
Undergraduate Program
Bachelor of Music Therapy
The Bachelor of Music Therapy (BMT) prepares students to become compassionate, skilled, and evidence-based clinicians. Students develop strong musical foundations alongside clinical knowledge through coursework, supervised fieldwork, and extensive hands-on experiences with individuals across the lifespan in healthcare, educational, community, and mental health settings.
After completing all coursework and the required 1,200-hour clinical internship, graduates are eligible to sit for the national board certification examination to earn the Music Therapist–Board Certified (MT-BC) credential.
Available concentrations:
- Music Therapy – Instrumental
- Music Therapy – Voice
- Music Therapy – Jazz
See application requirements
Graduate and Online Programs
Loyola's Master of Music Therapy (MMT) is a fully online graduate program designed for board-certified music therapists (MT-BC) seeking advanced clinical, supervisory, and research skills. The program prepares graduates for leadership roles in clinical practice, higher education, research, and healthcare administration.
For students who hold a bachelor's degree in music or minored in music but do not have a degree in music therapy, Loyola also offers a Master of Music Therapy Equivalency Track. This hybrid pathway combines on-campus undergraduate equivalency coursework, supervised clinical training, and a required internship before students complete fully online graduate coursework, allowing them to earn both music therapy equivalency and a master's degree.
Loyola also offers a dual degree option in collaboration with the Department of Counseling, allowing students to simultaneously pursue a Master of Science in Counseling and a Master of Music Therapy. This integrated pathway is designed for students seeking interdisciplinary preparation in both clinical mental health counseling and music therapy, expanding career opportunities in integrated healthcare, private practice, and clinical leadership roles.
Learn more
Tuition and Financial Aid
Graduate Tuition can be found on Loyola's Admissions Page. This office is available to help you with FAFSA forms, private loans, grants, and other financial aid opportunities.
Scholarships
The College of Music and Media administers talent-based music scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students. These awards vary according to the student’s potential for continued musical and academic progress, and the performance needs of the college. Retention of a music scholarship depends on satisfactory musical and academic progress and the student’s fulfillment of performance requirements as stipulated in the scholarship contract. At this time, the Music Therapy Department does not offer department-specific scholarships or graduate assistantships.
Contact Information
If you would like more information about the Music Therapy program, contact the Coordinator of Music Therapy Dr. Jessica DeKleva at jkdeklev@loyno.edu.
Website Link: https://cmm.loyno.edu/music-theatre-professions/professional-music-degrees/music-therapy/application-requirements
Bachelor of Music Therapy
Prepare for a rewarding career using music to improve the health and well-being of individuals across the lifespan. Loyola's Bachelor of Music Therapy combines rigorous musical training, evidence-based coursework, and hands-on clinical experiences in a variety of healthcare, educational, and community settings.
The program includes supervised fieldwork throughout the curriculum, followed by a required six-month, 1,200-hour clinical internship after completion of coursework. Students gain experience working with diverse populations through placements in settings such as schools, hospitals, behavioral health, rehabilitation, hospice, older adult services, and community-based programs.
120-124 credit hours to complete the degree.
See Degree Program Course Listing: BMT
Undergraduate Admissions
To enroll in the undergraduate Music Therapy program,
Schedule a School of Music Audition >>
Music Therapy Equivalency
Designed for students who hold a bachelor's degree in music but do not have a degree in music therapy, the Music Therapy Equivalency Program provides the coursework and clinical training required to become eligible for board certification as a Music Therapist–Board Certified (MT-BC).
- One year on-campus coursework with supervised clinical experiences
- Includes the required 1,200-hour clinical internship
- Can be completed in as few as 2-3 years, depending on previous coursework
- MMT EQ students are eligible to sit for the national board certification examination to earn the Music Therapist–Board Certified (MT-BC) credential upon competing the required 1,200-hour clinical internship.
See Degree Program Course Listing: MMT EQ
Master of Music Therapy
Designed for board-certified music therapists (MT-BC) seeking advanced training in clinical practice, supervision, research, and leadership, Loyola's fully online Master of Music Therapy (MMT) prepares graduates for advanced roles in healthcare, higher education, and administration.
- Fully online and designed for working professionals
- 30 credit hours to complete the degree
See Degree Program Course Listing: MMT
Learn more about the online Master of Music Therapy and Master of Music Therapy Equivalency programs »
Master of Science in Counseling / Master of Music Therapy
The College of Music & Media at Loyola University New Orleans offers a dual degree option combining the Master of Science in Counseling and the Master of Music Therapy through collaboration with the Department of Counseling. The music therapy program is accredited by the American Music Therapy Association and the university is an institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
Admission requires an undergraduate music degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and an audition for MM, MMT, and MMT Equivalency applicants, though conditional admission may be granted for those who do not meet GPA or degree requirements. Applicants must complete the College of Music and Media Audition Application and may audition in person, via Zoom, or by video submission, depending on the program. Conditional students must earn a 3.0 GPA in their first nine hours of graduate coursework to continue in the program. Students must be board certified (MT-BC) before beginning the Master of Science in Counseling Program.
See Degree Program Course Listing: MSC/MMT
Graduate Admissions Requirements:
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- Undergraduate baccalaureate degree in music, or a closely related field with a music minor
- Résumé: Provide a current resume, including relevant work experience
- Two Letters of Recommendation: One from a college professor and one from a professional reference
- Audition Requirement: Applicants may complete their audition in person, via Zoom, or by submitting a video recording. Applicants should demonstrate musical proficiency in one of the following ways: (a) perform 1–2 pieces on their primary instrument or voice (classical or jazz repertoire), or (b) sing while self-accompanying on both guitar and piano, performing 1–2 songs such as a popular song, jazz standard, or folk song.The College of Music must receive audition/interview applications at least four weeks prior to the selected date.
- **Proficiency with singing and self-accompanying on guitar and piano is not required for admission. However, if the applicant is unable to demonstrate proficiency in their video audition, they may be required to take remedial courses in guitar/piano
- Statement of Educational Goals (500 words or less) addressing the questions:
- How do you think a Masters of Music Therapy will enhance your academic and/or professional career?
- What do you hope to gain by being part of Loyola's graduate program?
- What do you bring to the Masters of Music Therapy program?
The above Graduate Music Application Requirements must be submitted through the online application portal.
Official Transcripts
Official Transcripts are required from every college and university attended since high school, including any schools attended through dual enrollment programs or summer session. Official transcripts may be sent directly to Loyola’s Admissions Office or you can have them sent to yourself in the school’s envelope. Do not break the seal of the envelope.
International Students
In addition to the documents listed above, international students must submit the following: TOEFL score report; we require a score of 580 (paper-based), 237 (computer-based), 92 (Internet-based), or higher. TOEFL scores are valid for two years. Score reports must be sent by ETS to the mailing address listed above. Candidate copies are not acceptable. International students requiring an F-1 or J-1 visa must submit an Affidavit of Support showing sufficient funds to finance the course of studies and living expenses.
Application deadlines
The Masters of Music Therapy Program will consider applications on a rolling basis upon availability. It is strongly recommended that Masters of Music Therapy candidates plan that matriculation begin in the fall semester due to program structure.
Contact Information
If you would like more information about the Music Therapy program, contact the Coordinator of Music Therapy Dr. Jessica DeKleva at jkdeklev@loyno.edu
Application Requirements
